Slalom elite armed and ready for battle round two in Costa Brava

A little more than a month has past since the opening slalom event of the year in Ulsan, South Korea, which means it’s time for the second battle of the season in Costa Brava, Spain - which will once again play host to the world’s fastest sailors between the 9th-14th June.

The picturesque town of Sant Pere Pescador is located 150 km to the north-east of Barcelona and is blessed with twelve kilometers of jaw dropping white sand beaches and the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Gulf de Roses has become a world renowned destination due to its clockwork like sea breezes, which frequently grace Costa Brava with their presence during the summer months. However, whilst offering an astonishing backdrop, the Pyrenees Mountain’s can also transform Costa Brava into a white knuckled assault course - when the ferocious Tramontana wind whistles down the mountain range in excess of thirty knots - ready to test the mettle of any world class sailor. Either way we are guaranteed to see more exhilarating, close-quarters racing.

Ones to Watch

Antoine Albeau made the perfect start to his title defense by claiming victory in South Korea. Although he may not have won one of the two eliminations completed in Korea he again showed the level of consistency that is required to come out on top by qualifying for both winners’ finals. The reigning world champion has an excellent record in Costa Brava with three wins and two podium finishes over the past five seasons and you’d expect him to be there or thereabouts come the end of the event and he’s definitely the man everyone will be looking to beat.

Pierre Mortefon has emerged as a genuine title contender and it all started this time last year in Costa Brava when the Frenchman captured his first PWA podium finish. Since then, the 25 year old hasn’t looked back and he has made a great start to 2015 - claiming second place in Korea - where he won the opening elimination. Mortefon has also enjoyed major success away from the PWA by winning the Defi Wind in May, so confidence will be sky high and he’ll be a real threat over the course of the week.

After claiming his first podium finish since 2011 - Josh Angulo - will enter the second event of the season full of confidence. The man from Cabo Verde has already spoken about the fact that his latest result has given him even more motivation for the remainder of the year and he’ll be even more dangerous in Costa Brava. Angulo has been on the cusp of some big results in the past and this extra motivation and drive could mean it’s his time to shine.

Ross Williams made an excellent start to the season as he claimed fourth place in South Korea - only missing out on the prestigious podium on count-back. The Brit is regarded as one of the best overall sailors in the world and you’d expect him to build upon his promising start to the season.

Having changed sail sponsors during the winter, Gonzalo Costa-Hoevel proved that he has made a seamless transition to his new equipment as he took home 6th place in Korea, whilst Italian Matteo Iachino continues to impress having achieved another Top 10 finish - both will be hoping to feature in the Top 10 again.

Arnon Dagan and Steve Allen finished 8th and 10th respectively in Korea and will be as dangerous as ever in Costa Brava with both men being extremely quick in light winds, which occur frequently here.

South Korea produced some shock results, but you’d expect the likes of vice-world champion Cyril Moussilmani, Ben van der Steen, Julien Quentel, Tristan Algret, Cedric Bordes and Finian Maynard to all bounce back with a vengeance and push for a return to the Top 10 at a minimum.

Taty Frans, who finished 9th overall in 2014, will also be making his first appearance of the year on the slalom scene having been absent from South Korea due to competing in Austria. The Bonairean is incredibly quick and is one of the most technical sailors, so you can expect to see him diving down the inside of his rivals as he cranks some textbook jibes.

The next six days promise to be action packed with more high octane, adrenaline fueled racing. As always you’ll be able to follow the action as it happens by tuning into PWA World Tour.com from the 9th to the 14th of June.

The skippers' meeting on the opening day will be at 12 PM - with the first possible start at 1 PM.

- Text and pictures are courtesy of John Carter / PWA World Tour -