Janis Preiss. Foto author: Peeter Jõers
Estonian NeilPryde Baltic Cup, a Formula European Cup event as well as Formula and Formula Kite world ranking event, began today on Tallinn Bay in Estonia. For the local athletes of all classes, this event is also part of Estonian Championships series.
99 surfers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia were welcomed by perfect sailing conditions in Tallinn with wind of 6-10 m/s and full sunshine throughout the day. This allowed the race the maximum number of races for the day. Regatta director Erno Kaasik said: “The opening day was held in the best possible sailing conditions that Tallinn Bay can offer in June. All races were very interesting and provided real enjoyment for the surfers.”
In Formula, Latvian Janis Press won all five of today’s races. Press praised the wonderful weather: “Today’s windy conditions were perfect for me. The races had some serious competition and in some races it was not until the end that I could secure my success,” he said. In 2nd place is currently Estonian Erno Kaasik with 12 points and 3rd Latvian Maris Birzulis with 17 points.
In Formula Kite, Lithuanian Viktoras Šeputa also managed the perfect score, winning all five races. After the opening day, he is followed by Estonians Ranno Rumm with 8 points and Madis Kallas with 13 points.
Raceboard had four races today. Two of those races was won by Estonian Marcus Pertelson who took the lead after the first day with 4 points. As current second, there are Latvian Kristaps Keidans with 5 points and Estonian Rainer Kasekivi with 8 points.
The youth class Techno 293 was dominated by the Poles. After three races, 1st place is Bartosz Pawlowski with 5 points followed by Mikolaj Michalski with 13 points and Lidia Sulikowska with 15 points.
Estonian NeilPryde Baltic Cup is organized by Team Extreme in cooperation with Estonian Windsurfing Association, Estonian Kiteboarding Association and Estonian Yachting Union. On Saturday and Sunday, racing is scheduled to begin at 11. A total of 15 races are planned for all classes during the regatta.
Estonian NeilPryde Baltic Cup has 99 surfers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. Among others, the start list includes names like Formula world ranking leader Janis Press from Latvia, an outstanding kitesurfer Viktoras Šeputa from Lithuania, Formula youth world champion Tristen Erik Kivi and world youth silver medallist Karl-Erik Saarm from Estonia and many others.
Estonian NeilPryde Baltic Cup is sponsored by Tarcona, Extreme Sport, Oxbow, NeilPryde and Tähtreklaam.
Estonian Yachting Union is sponsored by Vopak E.O.S., Liviko, Tallinna Sadam, Marinepool, NG Investeeringud, LTT, Matek and Planestar.
Regatta homepage: http://event.extreme.ee/?lang=
Facebook (including photo gallery): https://www.facebook.com/
