Who is Will McMillan? Many windsurfing fans watching the PWA World Cup in Torbole were asking themselves this question today at the latest. After his strong performance on Thursday, the 17-year-old Australian, who competes for Thailand, was also able to ride at the front on the final day and even win an elimination. A second victory was almost possible, but he was overtaken by Maciek Rutkowski in the last jibe of the final.
The reigning slalom world champion thus won the second elimination, which could finally be continued on Sunday. The first heats had already been raced the day before, but as before, the wind on Lake Garda did not play ball. Things didn't look too promising on the final day either, but around midday the long-awaited southerly wind finally set in and made two more eliminations possible. With a third and a fourth place, Rutkowski showed consistency and routine, the seventh place after an early start in the first round he was able to book as a string and win the event. A perfect start to the season for the Pole!
Michele Becker starts his first full PWA season with a strong fifth place
Michele Becker can also be quite satisfied with the start to his first full season on the PWA Tour. After a sensational second place, he rode to third place again on Sunday, as well as a ninth and a 16th place. In the end, this meant fifth place in the overall standings, putting him well ahead of some of the riders who are considered favourites for the world championship.
Pierre Mortefon took second place on Lake Garda ahead of the already celebrated Will McMillan, followed by another huge talent, Johan Soe from Denmark. Lots of new names causing a furore at the first event of the year - so the slalom season could be exciting!
Behind Michele Becker in fifth place are Matteo Iachino, Alexandre Cousin and Enrico Marotti, followed by Nico Prien in ninth place. Prien once again made it through to the final and took sixth place, with only the third elimination not quite going to plan. William Huppert completed the top 10 behind Prien.
Of the other Germans, Malte Reuscher finished 22nd, Maxi Räuchle 28th, Erik Telser 42nd and Markus Steinlein 48th.
Justine Lemeteyer dominates the women's competition
French rider Justine Lemeteyer won no fewer than six of the seven eliminations in the women's event, meaning that she even had to take one win as a stripper and win the World Cup by a large margin ahead of Blanca Alabau from Spain and Marion Mortefon. As there were only eleven riders at the start on Lake Garda, the eliminations only consisted of one heat - which was always the final. Dutch rider Femke van der Veen, who won the second heat, finished the event in fifth place.
The next Slalom World Cup starts on 1 July - at the hardcore spot Pozo!
Results PWA World Cup Torbole
Gents
- Maciek Rutkowski
- Pierre Mortefon
- Will McMillan
- Johan Soe
- Michele Becker
- Matteo Iachino
- Alexandre Cousin
- Enrico Marotti
- Nico Prien
- William Huppert
Ladies
- Justine Lemeteyer
- Blanca Alabau
- Marion Mortefon
- Mae Davico
- Femke van der Veen
