Day 5: Matteo Iachino makes perfect start with bullet in opening slalom race
At the halfway point of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA World Cup, a result has been gained for all three disciplines, after the opening slalom race of the event was completed today in winds of 10-15 knots, which saw most sailors reaching for their 8.6s and medium boards. Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7) made the perfect start as he claimed the first bullet to extend his lead at the top of the overall rankings — for now at least.
Elimination One
Matteo Iachino and Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails) came into the event tied on points — with Iachino ahead on countback — and both of the title contenders successfully navigated their way into the winners’ final, making for an extremely exciting first final with whoever beating who taking control of the title race.
Heat 16 was completed at the second time of asking after reigning world champion — Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) — was disqualified after jumping the gun. Upon the restart Iachino grabbed the lead from the word go and safely rounded the first mark ahead of Antoine Questel (Starboard / GA Sails) and Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses), while Mortefon was stopped in his tracks as the Frenchman hit a piece of chop after unhooking ready to enter the first gybe — leaving him at the back of the pack. Over the remainder of the course Iachino extended his advantage as the 26 year old made the best possible start. Antoine Questel secured second place, while Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti) out manoeuvred Williams to take 3rd, which has more significance with the two sailors extremely close in the battle for the final place on the overall podium. Meanwhile, Mortefon did brilliantly to fight his way back through the fleet into 5th place.
The losers’ final also saw a dramatic start as Vincent Langer (Fanatic / NorthSails), Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails) and Andrea Cucchi (Starboard / Point-7) were all disqualified for premature starts. Marco Lang (Fanatic / NorthSails) made the best start on the second attempt and the Austrian led from start to finish to claim 9th in the first race with Bruno Martini (Starboard / Point-7) completing the top 10.
In the opening race of the week there were also plenty of upsets with Malte Reuscher (JP / NeilPryde), Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / NorthSails) and Ben Van der Steen (Tabou / GA Sails) all being eliminated in the second round, while Pascal Toselli (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails) — making his first appearance since dislocating his shoulder in Fuerteventura — Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde), Taty Frans(Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic) and Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails) all missed out on a place in the semifinals.
Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde) was making his first appearance on the slalom tour for several years and the Frenchman advanced through the first couple of rounds before being eliminated in Heat 11.
Meanwhile, in Heat 2 — Nico Prien (JP / NeilPryde) — did superbly to make the second round after having to sail his heat with no starboard tack harness line. The German still held his own to earn 2nd place, while Ingmar Daldorf (Patrik / Loft Sails), Michal Aftowicz (Point-7) and Andrea Ferin (RRD / Challenger Sails / AL360) also advanced.
The second elimination was started but only two heats could be completed before the wind became too gusty and light to continue. 18 year old — Peter Nors (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) — who was making his debut on the world tour advanced from Heat 3.
With the conditions becoming borderline the decision was made to switch back to the foil exhibition races, which provided a great show for the spectators, close to the shore. A further 4 races were completed today and after the discard — Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) — has shot to the top of rankings, but Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7) and Sebastian Kornum (JP / NeilPryde) are just 0.7 points behind.
The forecast for tomorrow looks windy again with the east-north-east winds continuing, which should provide more racing. The skippers’ meeting for all disciplines will be held at 10am with the action commencing from 11am (GMT+1) — if conditions allow. Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com to follow all of the action as it happens via the PWA live stream.
Current Ranking 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam – Men’s Slalom – After 1 Race
1st Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7)
2nd Antoine Questel (Starboard / GA Sails)
3rd Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti)
4th Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses)
5th Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails)
6th Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7)
7th Finian Maynard (99NoveNove / GunSails)
8th Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)
9th Marco Lang (Fanatic / NorthSails)
10th Bruno Martini (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360)
Current Ranking 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam – Men’s Foiling Exhibition – After 5 Races
1st Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)
2nd Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7)
3rd Sebastian Kornum (JP / NeilPryde)
4th Mateus Isaac (JP / NeilPryde)
5th William Huppert (Fanatic / NorthSails)
6th Alexandre Cousin (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / Mystic)
7th Maciek Rutkowski (Tabou / GA Sails)
8th Antoine Questel (Starboard / GA Sails)
9th Benjamin Auge (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg)
10th Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails)
11th Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7)
12th Max Rowe (Simmer / Simmer Sails / Mystic)
13th Pierre Macquaert (JP / NeilPryde)
![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://windsurfing.tv/video/day-5-mercedes-benz-sylt-pwa-grand-slam-2016/&media=https://windsurfing.tv/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-10-05-11.15.04-am.png&description=<div class="teaser-text"> <p class="bodytext">Day 5: Matteo Iachino makes perfect start with bullet in opening slalom race</p> </div> <div class="news-text-wrap"> <div> <p class="bodytext">At the halfway point of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA World Cup, a result has been gained for all three disciplines, after the opening slalom race of the event was completed today in winds of 10-15 knots, which saw most sailors reaching for their 8.6s and medium boards. Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7) made the perfect start as he claimed the first bullet to extend his lead at the top of the overall rankings — for now at least.</p> </div> <div> <p class="bodytext">Slalom</p> </div> <div> <p class="bodytext">Men’s</p> </div> <div>Elimination One</div> <div>Matteo Iachino and Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails) came into the event tied on points — with Iachino ahead on countback — and both of the title contenders successfully navigated their way into the winners’ final, making for an extremely exciting first final with whoever beating who taking control of the title race.</div> <div></div> <div> <p class="bodytext">Winners’ Final</p> </div> <div>Heat 16 was completed at the second time of asking after reigning world champion — Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) — was disqualified after jumping the gun. Upon the restart Iachino grabbed the lead from the word go and safely rounded the first mark ahead of Antoine Questel (Starboard / GA Sails) and Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses), while Mortefon was stopped in his tracks as the Frenchman hit a piece of chop after unhooking ready to enter the first gybe — leaving him at the back of the pack. Over the remainder of the course Iachino extended his advantage as the 26 year old made the best possible start. Antoine Questel secured second place, while Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti) out manoeuvred Williams to take 3rd, which has more significance with the two sailors extremely close in the battle for the final place on the overall podium. Meanwhile, Mortefon did brilliantly to fight his way back through the fleet into 5th place.</div> <div></div> <div>The losers’ final also saw a dramatic start as Vincent Langer (Fanatic / NorthSails), Sebastian Kördel (Starboard / GA Sails) and Andrea Cucchi (Starboard / Point-7) were all disqualified for premature starts. Marco Lang (Fanatic / NorthSails) made the best start on the second attempt and the Austrian led from start to finish to claim 9th in the first race with Bruno Martini (Starboard / Point-7) completing the top 10.</div> <div></div> <div>In the opening race of the week there were also plenty of upsets with Malte Reuscher (JP / NeilPryde), Jimmy Diaz (Starboard / NorthSails) and Ben Van der Steen (Tabou / GA Sails) all being eliminated in the second round, while Pascal Toselli (99NoveNove / Challenger Sails) — making his first appearance since dislocating his shoulder in Fuerteventura — Arnon Dagan (RRD / NeilPryde), Taty Frans(Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic) and Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails) all missed out on a place in the semifinals.</div> <div></div> <div>Jules Denel (JP / NeilPryde) was making his first appearance on the slalom tour for several years and the Frenchman advanced through the first couple of rounds before being eliminated in Heat 11.</div> <div>Meanwhile, in Heat 2 — Nico Prien (JP / NeilPryde) — did superbly to make the second round after having to sail his heat with no starboard tack harness line. The German still held his own to earn 2nd place, while Ingmar Daldorf (Patrik / Loft Sails), Michal Aftowicz (Point-7) and Andrea Ferin (RRD / Challenger Sails / AL360) also advanced.</div> <div></div> <div> <p class="bodytext">Elimination Two</p> </div> <div>The second elimination was started but only two heats could be completed before the wind became too gusty and light to continue. 18 year old — Peter Nors (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) — who was making his debut on the world tour advanced from Heat 3.</div> <div></div> <div>With the conditions becoming borderline the decision was made to switch back to the foil exhibition races, which provided a great show for the spectators, close to the shore. A further 4 races were completed today and after the discard — Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) — has shot to the top of rankings, but Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7) and Sebastian Kornum (JP / NeilPryde) are just 0.7 points behind.</div> <div></div> <div>The forecast for tomorrow looks windy again with the east-north-east winds continuing, which should provide more racing. The skippers’ meeting for all disciplines will be held at 10am with the action commencing from 11am (GMT+1) — if conditions allow. Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com to follow all of the action as it happens via the PWA live stream.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div> <p class="bodytext">Current Ranking 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam - Men's Slalom - After 1 Race</p> </div> <div>1st Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7)</div> <div>2nd Antoine Questel (Starboard / GA Sails)</div> <div>3rd Julien Quentel (Patrik / Avanti)</div> <div>4th Ross Williams (Tabou / GA Sails / Mystic / Shamal Sunglasses)</div> <div>5th Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails)</div> <div>6th Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7)</div> <div>7th Finian Maynard (99NoveNove / GunSails)</div> <div>8th Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)</div> <div>9th Marco Lang (Fanatic / NorthSails)</div> <div>10th Bruno Martini (Starboard / Point-7 / AL360)</div> <div></div> <div> <p class="bodytext">Current Ranking 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA Grand Slam - Men's Foiling Exhibition - After 5 Races</p> </div> <div> <div>1st Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde)</div> 2nd Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (Starboard / Point-7) 3rd Sebastian Kornum (JP / NeilPryde) 4th Mateus Isaac (JP / NeilPryde) 5th William Huppert (Fanatic / NorthSails) 6th Alexandre Cousin (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / Mystic) 7th Maciek Rutkowski (Tabou / GA Sails) 8th Antoine Questel (Starboard / GA Sails) 9th Benjamin Auge (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg) 10th Cedric Bordes (Tabou / GA Sails) 11th Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7) 12th Max Rowe (Simmer / Simmer Sails / Mystic) 13th Pierre Macquaert (JP / NeilPryde) </div> <div></div> </div>)
