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The biggest one will be too big in the gusts, but with a smaller one they might get stuck in the holes especially on the downwind course. In addition the wind was a little bit gusty and shifty.

It was the young Englishmen Ross Williams (GBR-83, AHD, Gaastra) who was able to take most advantage of the challenging conditions and to stand the pressure and stress of the first race. He won the race in front of the International German Champion Steve Allen (KA-0, Fanatic). Marc Conrad (BRA-171, Starboard, Gaastra) from Brasil achieved a sensation with a third place accompanied by the cheers of the Brasilians. Top favorite Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde) was "only" 6th in this race. In the womans fleet Dorota Staszewka (POL-1, Starboard, Neil Pryde) easily wins the first race. On place 2 we find Lucy Horwood (GBR-95, AHD, Gaastra) in front of Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2, Arrows).

At 13:30 the second race began. The wind has accelerated and is blowing with 17 to 22 knots. This time the favorites can dominate. The World Champion 2000 and Euro-Cup Champion 2001 won this race with a lead of 300 metres in front of the French guy Antoine Albeau (F-192, AHD, Gaastra) and the Vice World Champion 2000 Phil McGain (AUS-7, Starboard, Gaastra). Dorota had another start finish victory in front of Karin Jaggi and Margit Germany (AUT-88, Starboard, Gaastra)

At 15:20 race director Bruno De Wannemaker started the last race of the first day. With 15 to 20 knots the wind is still strong. Another time Wojtek Brzozowski is able to dominate the race. The young Polish competitor Aleks Grynis (POL-86, Starboard, Gaastra) completes the Polish triumph. Steve Allen is moving himself into the business again after a 17th place in the second race. Dorota demolished the rest of the womans fleet with a win of more than 3 minutes.

After the first day it is already clear that the Formula Windsurfing Worlds in Brasil will have a valid result. We have already three races for men and women. After the first day (3 races, 0 discards) the favorites are leading. On place one is Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde) with 7.4 points. On the second place we can find Antoine Albeau (F-192, AHD, Gaastra) with 15 points folowed by Phil McGain (AUS-7, Starboard, Gaastra). Dorota Staszewska (POL-1, Starboard, Neil Pryde) is dominating the womans fleet with the top score of 2.1 followed by Karin Jaggi (Z-14, F2, Arrows) with 15 points and Valeria Matuck (BRA-704, Starboard, Neil Pryde). But tomorrow we will have the first discard that will mix up the field again.

Apart from the horrible shorebreak that is very equipment consuming, the greatest danger for the competitors is the incredible hot sand of the beach. Without shoes one can only stand it for some seconds. So the way to the water needs careful planning and preparation!

Results, after 3 races:

Men, top 10:

1 POL-10 BRZOZOWSKI WOJTEK 7,4 pts, 6,0 0,7 0,7
2 F-192 ALBEAU ANTOINE 15,0 pts, 4,0 2,0 9,0
3 AUS-7 MCGAIN PHIL 16,0 pts, 5,0 3,0 8,0
4 NED-57 VAN DER STEEN BEN 18,0 pts, 7,0 5,0 6,0
5 AUS-0 ALLEN STEVE 22,0 pts, 2,0 17,0 3,0
6 US-3 PRITCHARD KEVIN 23,0 pts, 10,0 6,0 7,0
7 US-34 BUZIANIS MICAH 24,0 pts, 9,0 11,0 4,0
8 POL-86 GRYNIS ALEKSANDER 25,0 pts, 19,0 4,0 2,0
9 BRA-171 CONRAD MARC 36,0 pts, 3,0 12,0 21,0
10 GBR-83 WILLIAMS ROSS 38,7 pts, 0,7 24,0 14,0

Women, top 5:

1 POL-1 STASZEWSKA DOROTA 2,1 pts, 0,7 0,7 0,7
2 SUI-14 JAGGI KARIN 7,0 pts, 3,0 2,0 2,0
3 BRA-704 MATUCK VALERIA 14,0 pts, 6,0 4,0 4,0
4 F-115 JAMBERT GERALDINE 15,0 pts, 4,0 6,0 5,0
5 H-134 DRIESSEN ERNA 16,0 pts, 5,0 5,0 6,0