The 2004 PWA, Catalunya, Costa Brava, Super X, World Cup: Day 5, Final

Cyril Moussilmani (Fanatic) of France has taken a sensational victory in front of the Spanish crowds here on the final day of the PWA, Catalunya, Costa Brava, Super X world Cup. With Tramontana winds screaming across the Bay of Roses today, gusting up to 35 knots, four dramatic rounds of racing in wet and wild conditions providing a perfect ending to a superb event here in Spain. French all rounder, Antoine Albeau (Neil Pryde, AHD), took second place ahead of Norwegian wild flyer, Vidar Jensen (North) who clinched the remaining podium position.

Today’s course was set with a boat start followed by two jump obstacles right in front of the cheering crowds on the beach. Compulsory duck gibes around the marks made for some wild pile ups, while forward loops and spocks provided an insane spectacle on the legs with a final jump obstacle pushing the sailors to the limits as they hustled for the finish line.

Round number one, which stormed into action at 9.00am this morning saw major upsets in the opening heats. Matt Pritchard (Gaastra) looked comfortable over the first set of jumps and screamed around the mark with the rest of the pack chasing his wake. He then spiraled out of control during his compulsory forward crashing into the water allowing the whole fleet to pass. Sailing with gritted determination Pritchard recovered several places through the pack but failed to make the top four…out in the first round!

Moussilmani was on fire throughout the first round and was the surprise winner in front of Vidar Jensen (North) and John Skye (F2, Arrows). With incredible board speed and scintillating spocks, Moussilmani roared around the course at breakneck speed. Meanwhile, current Super X world number one, Albeau (Neil Pryde, AHD) had to settle for 7th after blowing his spock on the final leg.

Round two saw Jensen (North) fight back with a bullet in the winners final with Spanish sailor Victor Fernandez (Fanatic) picking up second place and Antoine Albeau (Neil Pryde, AHD) of France moving up into third. John Skye (F2, Arrows) kept himself within range of a podium finishing in sixth, a slot behind British counterpart Nik Baker who took 5th with Moussilmani one step ahead in fourth.

With the tension running high in the third round fast and furious action saw Robby Swift (JP, Neil Pryde) finally produce his best form taking the win in front of Albeau and Matt Pritchard, with Orjan Jensen (North) clinching fourth, in front of Julien Taboulet (Neil Pryde, JP). Moussilmani was the victim of a horrendous pile up in the semi final but mage amends in the loser’s final winning with ease in front of Douglas Diaz (Fanatic, North).

There was a half hour break before the final race of the day with winds building and Jensen, Moussilmani, Albeau, Skye, Baker and Lopez all in the running for the event victory. Nerves were running high in the early heats as an over early on the start line or a crashed trick could cost any one of the above six sailors the first ever Costa Brava Super X victory. Vidar Jensen was the first to make a costly error falling at the first mark in the semi final leaving the door wide open for the others to capitalize on his mistake.

The final saw Moussilmani (Fanatic) scream across the start line matching the speed of Albeau and John Skye as he hit the first mark marginally ahead. With Albeau, Skye and Nik Baker all hot on his heels round the course, Moussilmani held his nerve with the crowds going crazy on the beach as the suspense and drama reached an all time high. Moussilmani roared down the final straight, drilling an insane planning forward and crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of Britain’s John Skye.

With crowds hungry for more action on the beach, it was decided to run a super session to close the show. Victor Fernandez (Fanatic) stole the show with three insane double loops and one incredible ninja style table top. Jonas Ceballos (Gaastra, Fanatic) pulled off some wild push loops and delayed forwards to take second with Robby Swift taking third.

With the competition here in Costa Brava going down to the wire today, the manic pace and insane action of PWA Super X has been a huge hit with the Spanish crowds. Stay tuned to the PWA web site for all the latest news from forthcoming events.

RESULTS AFTER FOUR ROUNDS

Cyril Moussilmani (Fanatic)
Antoine Albeau (Neil Pryde, AHD)
Vidar Jensen (North)
John Skye (F2, Arrows)
Victor Fernandez (Fanatic)

SUPER SESSION RESULTS

Victor Fernandez (Fanatic)
Jonas Ceballos (Fanatic, Gaastra)
Robby Swift (JP, Neil Pryde)