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News: Archive News: All News
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| 2003 Women Cup | | Posted On: 18/11/2003 | |
| 6 events / 2 discards...
53 women...
Year 2003 introduced a large number of newcomers to international formula racing. Six events of 2003 Women Cup gathered 53 competitors on the ranking list. With the Silvaplana event being cancelled, six out of seven planned events took place. One of the regatta was organized in Squamish (B.C. Canada) which enabled American women to join Women Cup. All of the organizers who hosted women this year distinguished themselves by making sure women racing was just as attractive as men's, which included such actions as scheduling races in favour of women fleet starting first and running silver fleet racing. The growing number of females at the start line changed their races - from being just a small add to the men's - into a second part of a show. Racing of both fleets was very well visible to spectators on the beach and there was no major interferering between womens/mens competitors during races. This all created the unique atmosphere of this years formula racing. The silver fleet system proved again to be right solution aimed on opening racing to formula newcomers. As a result of women developement 25 females took part in 2003 Women Camp in the Lake Garda and 18 took part in PWA race event in Leba, which was not part of Women Cup. Since the idea of Women Cup was born the avarage number of females who participate at formula events has been gradually increasing with the standart of 18 racers at each of big events this year. This is a significant change comparing to appearance at the events couple years ago.
The winner of the 2003 Women Cup Dorota Staszewska (Starboard/Gaastra) scored 5 out of 6 wins, losing the last event of the year and the World title to Christine Johnston (Starboard/Gaastra) who participated only in two ranked events, which placed her out of top ten. Consistency was shown by German Christine Becker (Starboard/Gun Sails) who finished second in one event and twice third and Verena Fauster of Italy (Starboard/Gaastra) with two seconds and two fourth places. The dominating brands this year was Starboard and Gaastra with top twenty ratio: Starboard 16 out of 20, Gaastra 14 out 20
Comments by the winner Dorota Staszewska
"It was another very succesfull year for me although I didn't win the final race and the World title. I guess it is a sign for me, all the girls and all those interested in women racing that our competition becomes more and more challenging, fleet is rapidly growing and the level of racing is constantly increasing. I am particulary happy to have "exported" Women Cup overseas, which has helped to promote formula racing outside of Europe. I would like to thank all of the organizers of this years events who treated us like queens and helped tremendously to promote formula. I hope that 2004 brings another dozen of new girls and we'll see some more events on other continents. I would like to thank my sponsors for letting me perform at the very top: Starboard, Gaastra, Deboichet, Billabong and most of all Era and Volkswagen. I will keep pushing all the girls and try to win again next year and, even though the European and PWA titles feel great, I will do my best to fight back the World title. As a member of FW Committee I will continue to work for the class with great hope for its further development."
Full ranking and competitors comments to be posted shortly on www.women.formulawindsurfing.org
1 POL-1 Dorota Staszewska Starboard Gaastra
2 GER-215 Christine Becker Starboard Gun Sails
3 ITA-31 Verena Fauster Starboard Gaastra
4 AUT-88 Margit Germany Starboard Gaastra
5 FRA-316 Jenny Le Bihan Exocet Neil Pryde
6 FRA-6 Sarah Hebert Starboard Gaastra
7 POL-214 Anita Majkowska Starboard Gaastra
8 DEN-222 Katrine Kay Starboard Neil Pryde
9 POL-420 Anna Wegrzynek Starboard Gaastra
10 POL-257 Joanna Walecka Starboard Gaastra
11 GBR-93 Christine Johnston Starboard Gaastra
12 GBR-95 Lucy Horwood |
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