SAILORS ASSEMBLE IN SYLT

And so we reach the penultimate event of the 1999 PWA World Tour.

With both the Men's and Women's Race & Overall World Championship titles still at stake, The Sylt PWA 1999 Grand Slam is sure to see some epic nail biting action.

Sylt is one of the longest running events on the PWA World Tour circuit and this year is celebrating its 16th year as a professional World Tour venue. Situated on the North German Island of Westerland, Sylt is well known as a truly radical venue, throwing up some of the gnarliest wind and wave conditions on the Tour. This year the fall out from hurricane Floyd, which recently forced the evacuation of 50,000 Americans from the eastern seaboard, is expected to throw up big waves and strong winds for the opening days, testing the world's best sailors.

Ever since the first Sylt competition, the crowds here in Germany have been some of the largest on the PWA World Tour. This year is going to be no exception. Thousands of people are expected flood onto the island for the opening ceremony and line the beaches to witness their windsurfing heroes do battle for the highly prized Sylt title and World Championship honours.

The event site also provides and opportunity for spectators to check out the latest windsurfing kit and developments. A host of trade stands forming an impressive tented village is right at the heart of the action on the seafront.

Sylt is also famous for parties. An enormous disused aircraft hanger on an adjacent airfield is converted into a night-club for the duration of the event, offering a differing theme each night. It has become an important part of the event and gives the crowds an enviable opportunity to mix with the top pro-sailors. The hanger is sure to see some party action this week!

The Fleet

The event carries Grand Prix status and therefore carries maximum points towards the 1999 PWA World Ranking. Both the women's and men's rankings are tight at the top and therefore all the world's top sailors are here.

11 times Overall World Champion, Bjorn Dunkerbeck E-11, has made the Sylt event his own over the years, winning the event 7 times. He needs to finish ahead of his main rival, Micah Buzianis US-34, to secure an unprecedented 12th consecutive Race World Championship title and give him a shot at retaining his Overall World Championship title.

Kevin Pritchard US-3, currently 2nd in the Overall World Ranking, will be hoping that the Sylt conditions suit him and that he can apply pressure to Dunkerbeck, who is still recovering from cuts to his hands he sustained in Brazil.

It's also tight at the top of the wave ranking. Francisco Goya A-211, currently leads with Bjorn Dunkerbeck E-11 and the current Wave World Champion, Jason Polakow KA-1111, hot on his heels in 2nd and 3rdrespectively.

With just one wave event to go after Sylt, all the top sailors will be hoping to make their mark this week. A good performance is vital for all the World Championship contenders.

One notable sailor who makes a welcome return to wave competition here at Sylt is the crowds' favourite and perhaps the World's most well known sailor, Robby Naish US-111. Robby is slowly stepping back from regular competition on the PWA World Tour and as he's making one of his rare European appearances here in Sylt. He's sure to be a big draw with the enthusiastic German crowd.

Women's Fleet

The women's fleet is also very strong at Sylt this year. World Champion, Karin Jaggi Z-14, who snatched victory by the narrowest of margins, from Andrea Hoeppner at this event last year, is currently leading the 1999 Race Ranking and should, bar accidents, secure the Race Championship this week.

In the waves it's still wide open. Daida Moreno E-64, is being chased by the leader of the Overall Championship, Lucienne Ernst, but with Sylt and Maui to go the Wave Championship is there to be won.

Text:©SSM Freesports / Dan Atkins Photos: