THE RACE IS ON
There is barely a moment to regroup before another countdown and the fans crank up for the slalom, with Ben Proffitt flying the flag for the Brits and firm favourite according to the time trials. A day or two before the event Ben dropped in at Boardwise on his way to Poland, and actually found an old JP 100 litre freestyle board identical to the one he won on at the London indoor. With a proven winner stashed in his van he headed to Poland to compete in the trials with no expectations and nothing to lose. In a display of true British grit and using all of his early Olympic racing experience, Ben has charged all the way to the two man final. And guess who is in it with him? none other than slippery Akgazciyan, who is obviously well adept to navigating his way round the indoor pool style of sailing. The racing actually works way better than the freestyle for the crowds; it’s easier to follow and there is a clear winner at the end of every heat. In the women’s final Polish Olympic sailor,Zofia Klepacka was in the mix against Lena Erdil and with a local heroine to cheer along this was exactly what was needed to get the stadium on their feet. Now it’s Bens turn to step up and he has the opening advantage with the slot that releases first into the water. Ben is obviously hungrier than ever, we know he is ultra-competitive and now he is in a position to win. The pressure is on for him not to blow it at the last hurdle. One thing we have learned from the slalom is that race sails, race boards and heavyweight riders that compete on the real tour have absolutely no advantage over the likes of Proffitt and Akgazciyan who are both using fast planing old freestyle boards and regular wave and freeride sails. After two out of three super finals it is one apiece between Ben and Nicolas with both sailors at the top of the ramp ready to slide down into the pool for the grand finale. Ben slips into the lead straight off the bat and holds off the charge from Akgazciyan who is hell bent of spoiling the party for Proffitt and going ‘gung-ho’ for the victory himself. Ben though holds on to his nerves and steers round the course flawlessly to take the win, while his girlfriend Justyna is pretty much having kittens, overjoyed that Ben has crossed the line in first. The emotions of all the sailors on stage, is already something that is coming across very strongly. Like a big family, they are all cheering each other along, helping with rigs and almost working as a team if that makes any sense.