After 5 races Patrik Pollak (SVK 1) is leading the charge for the title in the 2006 King Power Raceboard World Championships. With two first and two second places he just keeps his nose in front of second placed Riccardo Giordano (ITA 12). [more]They are seasoned campaigners in both raceboard and olympic racing disciplines; it is sure to be a close competition right to the end of the regatta.
The Europeans will be pushed all the way by two of Asia’s most experienced racers – Tak Sum Wong (Sam) from Hong Kong, currently third overall, and Arun Homraruen from host nation Thailand in fourth place.
First woman at this stage is Napalia Tansai (THA 4) – both Napalai and Arun will soon be representing their country in the Asian Games.
This event is not only a test of sailors ability, but also a “trial” of equipment – old versus the new! Whilst Patrik is competing on his tried and trusted Mistral Pan Am, a traditional “longboard”, Riccardo has stepped onto the new Exocet Warp X380 for the first time at this regatta.
Apart from the fact they are both at or near the maximum length permitted within the class rules – these boards are vastly different in every way!
Conditions for racing have so far suited this type of board – with windspeeds hovering between 5 and 12 knots throughout the five races; a fact further emphasised by the top five placings of Mistral One Design boards. Powered by one design 7.4 sails these competitors are proving how truly versatile these boards are, particularly in non-marginal planing conditions.
Tonight the competitors and officials can relax a little, courtesy of Starboard, with a beach party nearby to the event site at Northpoint beachfront,
