PWA ALACATI WORLD CUP: Aruban Winsdurfer Sarah-Quita Offringa currently women's event leader (Day 2 & 3 recap)

 Day 2: Hot, sunny and windy combined with an abundance of drama creates an intense windsurfing cocktail

After a stiflingly hot and almost windless start to day two of the PWA Pegasus Airlines World Cup the wind eventually filled in shortly after two O’clock enabling the resumption of the second eliminations, in winds ranging from 7-15 knots. After two and a half hours of competition a further nine men’s heats were completed, which brings us to the semifinal stage of the second race, whilst the opening heat of the women’s was also finished, before the wind became to fickle to continue, bringing the conclusion of day two at 17:30.

Women’s  Elimination Two

The opening heat of the women’s second elimination was completed, however after this the wind became very patchy and started to change direction meaning no further heats were finished. However, Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne), looked in much better form today as she was able to beat Ayako Suzuki (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic) to claim victory in the opening heat. Also qualifying from heat one are Fulya Unlu (Starboard / Severne) and Dilara Uralp (JP / NeilPryde), who finished in third and fourth place respectively.

Aruban windsurfer Sarah-Quita Offringa commented: "Waited around a lot today in blazing heat ! Only place to cool off was on the water :) Sailed 7.9 and 110l. But my race was cancelled as the wind wasn't strong enough. 5 days to go."

Day 3: Teasing winds result in a slightly frustrating day for the competitors as the heat rises

Day three of the PWA Pegasus Airlines World Cup saw just three heats completed in the women’s second elimination as flukey winds brought an early conclusion to the day. After a similar start to Wednesday as yesterday, conditions began to rapidly improve at around 2pm. However the wind didn’t last long as lulls of five knots appeared on the race course by 3pm and unfortunately the wind never returned from this point, meaning that the men’s and women’s fleets are both poised at the semifinal stages.

Women’s 

Elimination Two

Heat two was the first heat of the day to be sailed and was completed at the second time of asking, after the first attempt was cancelled due to a drop in the wind. Upon the restart Marion Mortefon (Starboard / Severne) made the best start of the fleet, but it was local hero Cagla Kubat (Starboard / Loft Sails) who fought back to claim first place, whilst Mortefon, Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft Sails / Mystic / AL360) and Gelly Skarlatou - who is making her debut on the PWA World Tour - all qualified for the next round.

Heat three also needed two attempts to be completed. In the end Burce Vardarli, Melek Toraman (Starboard / Loft Sails), Ceren Yaman (JP / NeilPryde) and Deniz Sekercioglu comfortably booked their places in the semifinals with confident displays.

The final heat to be completed today was heat four, featuring the current event leader Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins) and the reigning world champion Valerie Arrighetti (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic). Offringa got away to the perfect start as she crossed the start line in first place, but Finland’s Marianne Kaplas (Starboard / Severne) broke into the lead by the opening buoy and would eventually claim victory. However after such a good start Offringa was slow to plane away from her gybe after getting caught in dirty wind and needed to clinch the final to qualifying spot to ensure her inclusion for the semifinals. Meanwhile, Delphine Cousin (JP / NeilPryde) and Arrighetti finished in second and third place respectively.

Aruban windsurfer Sarah-Quita Offringa commented: :"Really felt the heat today! The conditions were really light and my equipment was just to small. Only just finished 4th in this race so i made it through to the next round of race nr2. oefff!"