The Jim Beam IFCA Slalom World Championships in Alacati (Turkey) had a perfect kick off today. In perfect Slalom conditions not less the two full eliminations for the men and three for women youth and master were run.

Finian Maynard (KV11, F2, Neil Pryde) was the man of the day and won both races. On his heels he has Antoine Albeau (FRA192, Starboard, Neil Pryde) and Kevin Pritchard (US3, Starboard, Maui Sails). In the women Fleet Allison Shreeve (AUS911, F2, Neil Pryde) also presented a dominating start with two victories in three races. The same superior performance was shown by Massimo Masserini (ITA7) in the Masters fleet and Pascal Somers (BEL7) in the Youth Fleet.

The first final brought a thrilling fight between Finian Maynard and Antoine Albeau. Both racers were fighting over the whole course. At the last mark Finian was slightly ahead. Antoine took a full risk and headed leeward for free wind. First the move seemed to pay of as he won ground on his opponent. But he was forced to head upward for the finish again which cost him some speed. At the finish it was breathtakingly close between the two slalom giants. But Finian managed to defend his lead and won in front of Antoine and the current IFCA Slalom World Champion Micah Buzianis (USA34, JP, Neil Pryde).

In the second final everybody was again expecting a fight between Finian and Antoine. But this time Finian had a perfect start enabling him to control the fleet. After a bad start Antoine had to fight his way through the opponents. This opened the door for another racer: Kevin Pritchard presented a perfect performance granting him the second place in front of Antoine Albeau and Ross Williams.

After two races Finian Maynard is leading with the optimum of 1.40 points. On the second place follows Antoine Albeau with 5.00 points in front of Kevin Pritchard with 8.00 points. Micah Buzianis and Ross Williams are fighting head to head with 9.00 points on positions four and five. Bjorn Dunkerbeck finds himself on a disappointing sixth place with 18.00 points currently tied with Steve Allen. The Turkish fans can be proud of the excellent performance of their hero Ertugrul Icingir who is currently eighth with 19.00 points and on even points with Pieter Bijl. Jimmy Diaz completes the top 10 after the first day with 20.00 points.

In the womens fleet last years Alacati winner Allison Shreeve only had one weak moment in elimination two when she missed the start. But after domination the two other races so far she finds herself save in the first position with the optimum of 1.40 points. On her heels is Verena Fauster (ITA31, F2, Gaastra) who is scoring with a first and a second summing up 2.70 points. Sarah Hebert (FRA61, Starboard, Naish Sails) surprised the experts as she managed to defeat Karin Jaggi (SUI14, F2, North Sails), the current IFCA Slalom World Champion. The top 5 are completed by Christine Johnston (GBR93, Starboard, Tushingham) who won the Formula Windsurfing World Championships 2003 in Germany just returned to the Funboard scene after concentrating on the new Olympic format RSX for some time.

Massimo Masserini is leading the masters fleet with 1.40 points after two victories and a third. But he has Francesco d'Urso (ITA26) on his heels who sums up 2.70 points with one victory and a second. The top 3 are completed by Leonid Judin (SRB1) with 5.00 points. Among the Youth Pascal Somers (BEL7) is presenting himself in excellent shape with two elimination victories and the optimum of 1.40 points. On his heels he has the two Turkish hotshots Emirhan Kolburan (TUR235) with 3.70 points and Enes
Yylmazer (TUR2) with 4.00 points.

For tomorrow the forcasts predict again excellent slalom conditions for the Bay of Alacati. So we can expect more races which will significantly change the results as we will get the first discard for the mens fleet. This will enable some unlucky racers to get rid of their worst result. The Jim Beam IFCA Slalom World Championships will last until Saturday, August 5th.

Official event website: http://www.surfnsound.org/
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