Last weekend saw hoards of slalom racers head to Weymouth for the next event in the BSA series. With top world cup racers Ross Williams and Kurosh Kiani in attendance, the level of the pro fleet was pushed up another notch. Boards catches up with the top two riders to find out more about the best crashes, over taking manoeuvres and more from the event.
Name: Ross Williams
Sail No: GBR 83
Where did you finish? 1st
What kit did you use for most of the weekend? 8.6m Gaastra Vapor and Tabou Manta 81
How were the conditions and how did your equipment work in them? Condition were very changeable but my gear felt great, really easy to hold down in the strong wind as well as having power for the lighter patches.
Best start…. I think I saw Kev have a great start at the pin mark.
Best gybe… not sure, I didnt look behind me. I had a good one to over take Kurosh at the first mark!!!! Maybe that’s worth a mention?
Best over take…. Sam Latham over taking Simon Petitifer
Worst crash…. I think it was simon cofield smashing into Kurosh’s deck and leaving a nice whole!!!
Best victory celebration….. Everyone was very level headed
Worst behaviour on saturday night... All of us for not going out a partying the night away!!!!
All images credit Dave White.
Name: Kurosh Kiani
Sail No: D13
Where did you finish? 2nd
What kit did you use for most of the weekend? I only used my Simmer SCR 8.6 throughout the whole event. I was using my Fanatic Falcon 132 until it got damaged in the second race and had to race my medium board until I got it repaired and was then back on it again.
How were the conditions and how did your equipment work in them? Flat water and gusty wind (I think the wind wasn’t in its usual direction). The gear was working great in these conditions. I´m really liking my 8.6/132 combo. It has a huge range so you don’t have to mess around too much on changing.
Best start….Kevin Greenslade. He got several of the starts spot on and rolled the rest of us who were seconds late. Nice work !
Best gybe…Ross did a great PWA style gybe on top of Kev which came out in his favor. It was definitely entertaining to watch!
Best over take….Must have been myself overtaking Sam Latham and Simon Pettifer from behind as they were doing some sort of upwind battle while the gybe buoy was way downwind. Had to chuckle a bit for that one.
Worst crash….I´m not sure who it was,, but someone came in at full speed and hit the bottom just in front of the slipway. That one must have hurt in every sense haha.
Best victory celebration…..I saw Sam Latham claiming couple of his battle victories when crossing the line ahead of the competition.
Worst behaviour on saturday night…Hmm, I´m not sure if this is the usual UK standard, but the worst behavior must have been us discussing whether we should have a look down at the pub or not. I guess that one could have gone both ways.
Words from event host, Tris Best:
“The forecast at the beginning of the week for this event looked ominous, but true to form Weymouth produced the goods yet again! There were some notable omissions from the entry list – Ant Baker being the obvious one (wishing his son a speedy recovery), but with the addition of a couple of PWA stars the standard of sailing in the pro fleet visibly upped the anti for the other fleets as well. 32 entries in the amateur fleet was a great turn-out … and even the people on the tasters we provided throughout the weekend were noticeably inspired! Thanks to Bob and the UKWA team for running such a good event once again.”
