WINDSURFING EURO-CUP, LAKE GARDA – DAY 3

Daily Report: Day#3 (28th April 2003)

The success continues: Another four races at the EC Malcesine
Dorota already confirmed as winner – Wojtek shows first weaknesses

Malcesine / Lake Garda (Italy), 27 April 2003. It seems as if the gods are with
the EC Malcesine: Twelve races for both fleets in three days is an impressing
result for the regatta team. The famous Ora wind arrived at the afternoon with
perfect strength and enabled the organizers to run another 4 races for the 125
competitors today.

Although the morning didn’t look too promising with fog and clouds covering the
sky, the Ora arrived reliable as usual in Malcesine around noon. The nice and
warm southern breeze cast away the last clouds and prepared the arena for the
best racers of the world. 13 to 15 knots ensured a convenient start for the women
who begun. Dorota Staszewska (POL-1, Starboard, Gaastra) continued her domination
and won this race in front of Verena Fauster (ITA-31, Starboard, Gaastra) and
Christine Becker (GER-215, G-Sailboards, Gun Sails). Directly after the women
the male competitors went on the course. Again Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard,
Neil Pryde) was able to open a competition day with a victory. He was followed
by his Starboard team mate and Malcesine local Andrea Cucchi (ITA-1, Starboard,
Neil Pryde) On the third place we found Steve Allen (AUS-0, Fanatic, Neil Pryde)
who continued with his consistent top results.

The second race was started back to back but the wind accelerated to 17 knots.
Again the Polish beauty Dorota was able to win the women fleet in front of Verena
and Christine. In the men’s fleet Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) was
happy to finally score a victory. Already in the race before he was the first
competitor to cross the finish line. Unfortunately he was recognized as OCS and
disqualified. Now his triumph was even bigger! Almost as happy was the US windsurfing
star Micah Buzianis (USA-34, Mistral, North Sails) who is getting stronger and
stronger in this competition and has a second place in this race in front of Wojtek
Brzozowski.

After the second race the competitors were sent ashore for a break to give them
a chance to relax and to enjoy the legendary pasta break of the local club "Fraglia
Vela Malcesine". The wind continued to blow with up to 19 knots in. Dorota
won in the womens fleet ("as usual"). Verena was again on the second
place but the third position brought a surprise with Margit Germany (AUT-88, Starboard,
Gaastra) from Austria. The mens fleet produced an interesting situation as some
of the racers set their watch wrong as they took the AP flag for the red flag
in the starting sequence. Among them was also the leader Wojtek Brzozowski. He
started two minutes too early and pulled several more racers over the line who
were all disqualified as OCS. So the way was free for the Mistral rider Micah
Buzianis to score his first victory in this competition. Arnon Dagan continued
his strong performance today with a second place in front of the young Devon Boulon
(ISV-1, Mikes Lab, Windwing) from the Virgin Islands.

The last race was started back to back. And it seems as if the women have finally
accepted their ranking. For the third time today the positions are: Dorota, Verena,
Christine. Wojtek was able to overcome he weaker phase and stroke back with a
victory. He was followed by Arnon Dagan who is the winner of the third day of
the Euro-Cup in Malcesine. The third position is occupied by Andrea Cucci.

After the third day and twelve (!) races with three discards Dorota Staszewska
(POL-1, Starboard, Gaastra) is already save as winner of the regatta before the
last day. Her domination force left no chances for the attacks of the other girls.
But on the following places the fight is still full on So the women ranking has
Dorota on a clear first place with twelve victories and 6,75 points in front of
Verena Fauster (ITA-31, Starboard, Gaastra) with 19 points. Christine Becker (GER-215,
G-Sailboards, Gun Sails) from Germany was able to defend her third position and
has 26 points now. But everything is very close between her and Geraldine Jambert
(FRA-115, Starboard, Gun Sails) with only four points difference.

In the men’s fleet Wojtek Brozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde) showed the
first weaknesses today. But he is still clear in the lead. With 8 victories and
a total of 9 points he is far ahead of his opponents. Steve Allen (AUS-0, Fanatic,
Neil Pryde) presents his usual consistent performance and takes the second place
with 30,75 points. On his heals he has Andrea Cucchi (ITA-1, Starboard, Neil Pryde)
with 35,75 points. Micah Buzianis (USA-34, Mistral, North, 36,75 points) and Pieter
Bijl (NED-0, Fanatic, Neil Pryde, 43,88) are raising their pressure and hope for
mistakes of the leaders to have a chance to enter the podium.

The Windsurfing Euro-Cup Malcesine / Lake Garda (Italy) will last until tomorrow,
Tuesday, 29thth of May.

You can find more information, results, pictures etc. and follow the competition
online on the official Website of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup www.euro-cup.org and
on the FW Class Website www.formulawindsurfing.org .