KITE SURFING NEWS ITEM

ISWC Speed Windsurfing European Championship 2008

THURSDAY, 21 AUGUST 2008

The first day of competition kicked off with perfect sailing conditions. Man of the day was Bjorn Dunkerbeck (SUI, T1/Prrof, North) with a new sport record of 41.73 knots. The women's fleet was dominated one more time by Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails) with two bullets on the first day.

After the initial skippers' meeting at 10:00, the riders were put on short standby with the postponement flag, as the wind was too broad and gusty in the morning.

The race committee decided to go for a split fleet race in round one, as the Devils Bay is not big enough to allow all riders to compete at the same time. Thus, the fleet was split into two equal strong groups, and sent out for the first race at 12:15. Antoine Albeau (FRA, Starboard) dominated group A, Peter Volwater (NED, F2, North) in second ahead of Cyril Moussilmani (FRA, Fanatic, North), then Chris Lockwood (AUS, Carbon Art, KA Sails). Group B kicked off with the long expected duel between Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Finian Maynard (BVI), and Bjorn showed with some fantastic runs over 41 knots - the potential of that strip. Surprisingly, Ben van der Steen (NED) came in second, followed by Torsten Luig (GER, T1, North), Finian in fourth.

The women's competition was clearly dominated by Valerie Ghibaudo ahead of Anja Kruse (GER, F2, North) and Elke Schill (GER, F2, North) from the hosting Pro center.

After this initial round, the fleet was split into silver and gold fleet, with seven sailors advancing from silver to gold. That leg was won by Daniel Borgelind (SWE), also advancing was Andrea Baldini (ITA, Fanatic/Carbon Art), Roger Henriksen (DEN, Loft Sails), Beppe Fortunato (ITA), Erik Larrson (SWE), Christian Bornemann (GER, T1), and Manos Kapnisakis (GRE). These riders will compete the gold fleet tomorrow, as the wind was too gusty in the starting area to go for the final round in the evening.

The women's fleet was run with the silver fleet and again, the ranking was Valerie, Anja, and Elke.

Racing continues with the gold fleet tomorrow morning, as well as the thrilling action in Devils Bay, Karpathos until the 26th of August.

Full results are available in the events section at www.speedworldcup.com.

Speed:World:Cup is the officially sanctioned world tour of the International Speed Windsurfing Class (ISWC) and the Professional Kite Riders Association (PKRA).

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