Photos courtesy of Irek Stosik
Silvaplana in Switzerland has one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world in which to hold a windsurfing competition. Being 1815 metres above the sea, the town is snow bound in the winter but in the summer is the perfect Alpine retreat and with the famous Maloja wind it provides excellent racing conditions on the Lake for the Engadinwind Cup held every August.
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Watch the action then read the report below to see who won!!
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However, over the four day windsurfing event, the Maloja wind was sorely missed until the last day when the sun shone, it kicked in and three races were run including the famous Marathon race now in its 30th year. Steve Allen from Australia had a great day winning all three races. He was challenged by Gonzalo Costa Hoevel in the opening Marathon race until Gonzalo broke his mast four & a half laps into the five lap race. A very disappointed Gonzalo made up for this unlucky incident by getting a 2nd and a 3rd in the following races but with a 66th for bailing out of the marathon, he finished 26th overall.
In the second race Gabriel Browne (Marcilio’s younger brother, and that’s young!) was leading from the start but got taken over by Steve Allen and Gonzalo and settled for third. Impressive result though.
In the third race it was another youngster, Italian Alberto Menegatti, who was leading until Steve Allen decided enough was enough and steadily flew past him to victory!
With only three races run, you couldn’t afford any mistake or kit breakages and Steve Allen had neither – a great day of racing for him and another title to add to his collection! However, these guys also did well:
Jesper Vesterstrom from Denmark had a solid day of racing with a second in the Marathon race, a fourth and then discarded his 20th in the third race to get SECOND overall.
Brazilian Wilhelm Schurmann came THIRD overall with one third, one fourth and then used his discard for his last, disastrous race!
Przemek Miarczynski, better known as Pont, is just an amazing racer no matter what kit he is on. He came second at the RS:X Worlds this July, he was unbeatable on the old Mistral One Design in planing wind and he continues to make top5 in the Formula fleet at major events. Here he had one fourth, one fifth and one seventh to come FOURTH overall.
The UK’s Ross Williams, fresh from Canarian slalom action was very consistent with two 6ths and one 7th but this got him to FIFTH overall. Disappointing for Ross as he did so well here last year. |
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| ResultsSilvaplana, overall results
1 Steve Allen (Tabou, Gaastra, Benzacne)
2 Jesper Vesterstrom (Ford Credit, Cottonfield, Cer tina , Neilpryde, Starboard)
3 Wilhelm Schurmann (Neilpryde, Starboard)
4 Przemek Miarczynski (SKZ Hestia Sopot, Quiksilver)
5 Ross Williams (Gaastra, Tabou, Debiochet,O'Neill)
6 Alberto Menegatti (F2, Quiksilver, Northsails, Derokhet, CST)
7 Michael Polanowski (Sante, Quiksilver, Deboichet, Professional Finance, WSPIZ 8)
8 Kasper Larsen (Juul Welltec, Neil Pryde, Starboard)
9 Andrea Cucchi (Point 7, Starboard, O'Neill, Arnette, Debiochet)
10 Gabriel Browne (F2, North Sails, MFC).
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Euro Cup Tour 2007: Next stop
They are currently racing at the WhiteAir festival in the IOW until the 2 nd September with the final event in Hyeres , France 2-7 October.
For more info: visit the Euro Cup website. |
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