Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
The 2009 PWA World Slalom Tour heads to Alaçati in Turkey
Monday, 10 August 2009 15:58

2009 PWA Turkey in Alaçati

Alaçati, on the Cesme peninsula, opposite the Greek island of Chios and on the same latitude as Athens, is a perfect windsurfing spot on Turkey's Aegean shores. Until recently, Alaçati was a sleepy little village populated by fishermen, craftsmen and farmers; now they share it with many enthusiastic windsurfers. The combination of consistent winds and a very safe, 500m by 400m shallow section with completely flat water makes Alaçati an extremely attractive destination for windsurfing beginners, intermediates, speedsters and freestylers.

The competition

Alaçati is the penultimate round of the tough and varied PWA slalom tour. Following on from ruthless Canaries leg, Turkey offers contrasting racing conditions, with perfect flat water and gentle winds. Top speeds, starting skills and consistency will prove to be the key ingredients for the 2009 champion.

Antoine Albeau (JP/NeilPryde) has to be the favourite. His consistent performance throughout the year has seen him win 4 out 5 events. However with the world title already in his hands, the real battle is going on right behind him. With only a handful of points separating the top 5, we are in for a treat next week as the elite fight it out for the remaining podium positions.

Leading the charge are Finian Maynard (RRD/NeilPryde) and Ross Williams (Tabou/Gaastra). Ross started the season with an impressive win in Austria, followed by a 2nd place in round three, Costa Brava. Finian meanwhile got off to a slower start but finds himself in a great position after a string of consistent results, topped off with a 2nd place in Fuerteventura. At the moment they have equal points, but Finian is ahead on the tiebreak and will hope to further his advantage in Turkey.

One small step behind are the likes of Kevin Pritchard (Starboard/Gaastra/Dakine), Micah Buzianis (JP/NeilPryde) and Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard/Severne). All highly experienced racers and all within easy reach of the podium spots. Dunkerbeck was last years winner here in Turkey so must be a champion candidate heading into the penultimate contest of the year.

Turkey marks the slalom finale of the women’s PWA competition so it is all to play for next week. Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou/Loft Sails) has a comfortable lead, winning every event of the year, but never count out multiple world champion Karin Jaggi (F2/North Sails). Karin needs to pull off a miracle to get ahead of Valerie but nothing is impossible.

Sarah Hebert (Starboard/Naish) looks to be in control of the final podium spot, but there is a wealth of talent right behind. Youngster Alice Arutkin (Starboard/North Sails) has shown moments of magic through the season, whilst local talents, Lena Erdil (Starboard/Loft Sails) and Cagla Kubat (Starboard/North Sails) will be keen to impress in front of their home audience.

Whatever happens we are in for a treat on the race course.


SOURCE: PWA

 


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

Check the Wind Forecast for your surfing region
The best anemometers in the world
The Beaufort Wind Force Scale
Wave Height Forecast
The best windsurfing spots in the world
How to make your own windsurfing sail
The best official windsurfing classes
Board & Sail Size Chart
The best freestyle windsurfing moves
The best surf watches in the world

SURFING

Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Rio Pro 2013
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Jordy Smith has conquered the Billabong Pro Rio 2013, in clean two-to-four foot (1 meter) waves, at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca, in front of thousands of surf fans.
The best ocean conditions of the entire Billabong Pro Rio 2013 came in the finals' day, with Jordy Smith beating Adriano de Souza in the last heat of the last day of the event waiting period. Win it or break it. Adriano de Souza and Jordy Smith were up and riding with different trumps under their belts. The Brazilian w [ ... ]


Guinness confirms Shawn Dollar's 61-foot paddle-in wave record
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Guinness World Records have officially certified Shawn Dollar's 61-foot wave, at the Cortes Bank, off the coast of California, as a new paddle-in world record.
The 30-year-old resident of Santa Cruz, California, caught the superlative wave on December 21, 2012 during a terrifying session at the Cortes Bank, a notorious offshore hazard to shipping located over 100 miles west of San Diego in international waters. A panel of experts measured the wave at 61 feet on the face. Dollar caught th [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Death loop" kills kitesurfer in Quebec
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

A 32-year-old kitesurfer has passed away when he was sailing on the Lake of Two Mountains, in Quebec, Canada.
Julien Blanchard was enjoying a kitesurfing session in the part of the river delta widening of the Ottawa River, in Quebec, when he suffered what is commonly called the "death loop". The rider was dragged to his death on the lake, after fell and being kept underwater by his kite for about 20 minutes.


Kiteboard Open 2013 set for Noordwijk
13/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Kiteboard Open 2013 will run between the 18th-20th May, in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
During three days, the west of the Netherlands is invaded by some of the best regional kitesurfers in a beach lifestyle festival. Ruben Lenten, Kevin and Jalou Langeree will be showing off in the Kiteboard Open 2013, at the their home spot.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


World's best tube riders fly to El Gringo
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

The 2013 IBA GoPro Arica Chilean Challenge kicks off on the 17th May, in Arica, Chile, at the infamous El Gringo bodyboarding spot.
The third stop of the 2013 IBA World Tour is a Grand Slam Series events, which means there's a lot at stake. With $40,000 in prize money and 2000 points for the winner, Chile is a must. Moreover, the Arica Chilean Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary and all riders will be trying to claim the trophy, in front of thousands of hardcore bodyboarding fans.  [ ... ]


+ Bodyboarding News