Slalom Worlds 2012 Day 1

Today marked the first day of competition of the 2012 Slalom World Championships on Sylt island, Germany. Two complete eliminations for both men and women were completed before the wind dropped below standards.

Florian Gruber (GER, North) came out on top ahead of Julien Kerneur (FRA, RRD) and Dirk Hanel (GER, North). Both german riders took advantage of the rest of the fleet being over early in the final of elimination one.

In the womens fleet, Katja Roose (NED, Airush) took two bullets and is leading the competition so far in front of Caroline Adrien (FRA, Cabrinha/Aguera) and Christine Boenniger (GER, Flysurfer/Royal).

Competition kicked off in the early morning with 12-15 knots sideshore winds, and a 5 mark downwind slalom course. The first heats went of smothly with almost all favourites advancing, and it was up to the mens final when a whole group of riders went over the line too early causing a general recall, leaving only the two germans in the final left to take glory in the re-run of the heat. Florian Gruber won this two-men final with a margin over NKB teammate Dirk Hanel. The unlucky finalists which were all black flag disqualified were Julien Kerneur (FRA, RRD), Maxime Nocher (FRA, North),Rolf van der Vlugt (NED, Airush), Gunnar Biniasch (GER, Flysurfer/Royal), Tomek Janiak (POL, RRD) and Blazej Ozog (POL, North).

The womens final was dominated by Katja Roose who took victory in close racing over Caroline Adrien in second and Kristin Boese (GER, Best) in third. The womens winner final was completed by Sabrina Lutz (GER, North) in fourth, Michalina Laskowska (POL) in fifth and Kathrin Borgward (GER, Cabrinha) in six.

Elimination two was quickly re-seeded and went underway shortly after noon, with Kerneur taking victory this time over Nocher in second and van der Vlugt in third. Last years worlds third ranked Bruno Sroka (FRA, Cabinha/Aguera) took fourth, with Gruber, Biniasch, Maus (GER, North) and Hanel completing the mens final.

The womens final was again dominated by Katja Roose ahead of Caroline Adrien and Christine Boenniger.

Standings after 2 Eliminations:

Men:
1. Florian Gruber (GER, North) - 5.7 points
2. Julien Kerneur (FRA, RRD) - 8.7 points
3. Dirk Hanel (GER, North) - 10 points
4. Maxime Nocher (FRA, North) - 10 points
5. Rolf van der Vlugt (NED, Airush) - 11 points

Women:
1. Katja Roose (NED, Airush) - 1.4 points
2. Caroline Adrien (FRA, Cabinha/Aguera) - 4 points
3. Christine Boenniger (GER, Flysurfer/Royal) - 10 points
4. Kristin Boese (GER, Best) - 10 points
5. Kathrin Borgwardt (GER, Cabrinha) - 10 points

Racing continues till Sunday July 1st, with stronger winds expected to complete more rounds of exciting slalom racing at Westerland, Sylt.