It was the fourth time I took part in the Vietnam Funcup. It´s definitely a tough race. All races get started at the beach and the wind can be pretty light. This year I had a 7,5 Gator in my bag and used the Kode 112 with the 36 production fin, which turned out to be a good setup for many different conditions. We had races in 12 knots and races in 25 knots. I just changed the boomlength sometimes. All four races, a classic figure 8 slalom I could finish in first position this time. But the local guys, all around 50 to 60 kg light were quite fast, especially after the running start. In race 3 I really had to fight to keep my gear in planing all over the course. In the final, we were 10 sailors, my start was not so good and I had to follow 4 Vietnamese sailors down to the first mark. My testpartner Remi Vila had a bad start too, but accellerated very much in a free upwind position. At the second mark I almost got the leading sailor, but lost some ground after the second jibe. So I kept upwind and built up some pressure in my 7,5 and went downwind with a lot of speed to the last mark. I almost got the leader, who crashed at the mark and I could pass on the inside. Remi was on my heels, who used a Gator 7,5 with a Futura 101 prototype. I kept upwind very much. Remi accelerated, but suddenly he crashed in a massive catapult just some meters behind me. That was the victory!! At the pricegiving ceremony I received an incredible nice N�A automatic watch. Kerstin finished 3rd, only two points missing to win.
Tomorrow I will run a clinic for “better jibing”. Wind should be fine. Since we arrived on the 17th there was no day with less than 20 knots.

Chris

Running start at Jibes / pic: windsurf-vietnam.com

Up to 25knots for this race / pic: Kerstin Reiger

A little ride after a hard race (pic: www.windsurf-vietnam.com).

Prizegiving / pic: Kerstin Reiger

Nice watch /pic: Kerstin Reiger