18th Vietnam Fun Cup - the Video Update
Congratulations to the winners of the 18th Jibe's Vietnam Windsurf Fun Cup, supported by Shamal Windsurfing
Mens:
1st Albert Pijoan (CAT)
2nd Maksim Koshkin (RUS)
3rd Ilya Chaika (RUS)
Womens:
1st Maria Shapkina (RUS)
2nd Tran Thi Kim Chi (VN)
3rd Irina Gurko (RUS)
Albert Pijoan (Men's winner)
Maria Shapkina (Women's winner) and Maksim Koshkin
Irina Gurko
Race Report
5.30 am, it’s pitch black. Most are still sleeping, tired eyes arriving early at Jibes Beach Club to reserve what they feel will be the best board and sail choice for the day.
The 18th Jibes Vietnam Windsurf Fun Cup is about to begin.
This year we see entries from 11 different countries (Vietnam, Russia, USA, Thailand, Netherlands, Canada, France, Israel, Germany, Catalonia and Estonia). It’s great to see so many different nationalities brought together by their passion for windsurfing.
Conditions this year did not disappoint, clean steady wind with a much smaller swell than previous years, competitors could focus more on fine tuning their rigs to produce maximum speeds with the added benefit of flatter riding conditions. The usual downwind slalom course was used with a total of four Jibes.
Red, Yellow then Green: the racing begins!
This year Jibes focused on 2 days of full powered racing. The first day saw some close action with Albert Pijoan (CAT), Ageer Shamil (RUS), Ilya Chaika (RUS), Maksin Koskin (RUS), and Ilya Panagushin (RUS) all battling for first place. The end of the first day saw Albert Pijoan sitting in first, Ageer Shamil a close second with Ilya Chaika chasing in third.
For the women’s event this year we saw some really high level riders. Vietnam was represented by Tran Thi Kim Chi (VN) and Russia by Maria Shapkina (RUS) and Irina Gurko (RUS). Maria Shapkina dominated the first days racing only losing one heat to Tran Thi Kim Chi, leaving Irina Gurko in 3rd place for the day. The evening was spent at Tropical Mini Golf, where contestants and guests were treated to some of the finest foods of Mui Ne in what can only be described as a tropical paradise oasis.
Day 2
Day 2 saw similar conditions. This was the last day for competitors chasing 1st 2nd or 3rd to really give it all they had to secure a position on the podium. All heats were run consecutively, testing the rider’s stamina and skill. After all results were calculated for both days’ events, excited faces gathered around, eager to know their positions.
The prize giving this year consisted of brand new 2017 Starboard iSonic board for the winner. Severne sails for second place and Aeron booms for third. Special prizes were given to Tol Meltrer (Israel) who is our youngest competitor at the age of 13, showing a high level of riding and confidence for such a young age. Also, we must mention and give huge respect to Daniel Callahan (USA) a windsurfing veteran, showing the youngsters that it is a sport for all with no age limit.
To make sure others had a chance of taking home something special, a lucky draw was held for all who entered the competition, some great gifts were won from luxury hotel accommodation, windsurfing equipment to romantic evening meals and of course, a pair of Shamal Windsurfer’s sunglasses.
Winners
Mens:
1st Albert Pijoan (CAT)
2nd Maksim Koshkin (RUS)
3rd Ilya Chaika (RUS)
Womens:
1st Maria Shapkina (RUS)
2nd Tran Thi Kim Chi (VN)
3rd Irina Gurko (RUS)
