| Polish windsurfers take gold in the 2011 RS:X European Championships |
| Monday, 19 September 2011 16:00 |
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Myszka Piotr and Sofia Klepacka stormed the 2011 RS:X European Championships, in Burgas, Bulgaria. The Polish windsurfers took the gold medals in 16-18-knot winds. In the last day of competition, Maja Dziarnowska was in command at speeds up to 18 knots. She punched into the slalom section to take the race by 80 metres. It didn't change the overall results but Lee's 2nd secured a 24 point advantage over 3rd placed Pauline Perrin. Over in the RS:X Men's fleet, there were two battles to watch. One for third place and one between Shahar Zubari and Nimrod Mashiah. The outcome of the first was inextricably linked to the outcome of the second. At the start, the 10 were behind the start boat ready to sheet in and hit the line at full speed. Nimrod was paying close attention to his countryman who tacked onto port to head off to the right hand side. Nimrod tacked on top to establish a close cover. They were joined by Richard Stauffacher whilst the rest rode their fins all the way out to the left. All that is except Ivan Pastor Lafuente who took the middle of the upwind leg determined to give himself every chance with a conservative strategy. The duel between the two Israelis went on all the way up the first beat. Nimrod had only one aim in view. Drive Shahar down the order and deny him the bronze medal. In this, he was successful. When Shahar finally broke the cover and found fresh breeze he was faced with an impossible task. Ivan meanwhile was not going to ignore the opportunity that presented itself. He hung on to take the bronze medal with Byron Kokkalanis (GRE8) racing just behind Piotr Myszka (POL82) whose points advantage had already assured him of the Title. RS:X Men's Top 10 1 POL 82 Myszka Piotr 17.0 1. POL 8 Sofia Klepacka 43.0
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