 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 January 2000 Issue No. 465 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 January 2000 Issue No. 465
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters The heat is on
By Abeer Anwar
The Red Sea town of Safaga, located south of Hurghada, is now hosting the Penta Mistral World Cup 2000. 92 players from 22 countries are competing from 15 to 22 January for a top prize of $26,000.
The Mistral event, in which competitors use Mistral boards, takes its name from a strong cold wind that blows mainly in winter from the south of France to the Mediterranean coast. And it is no mean feat.
The wind surfers have to move against the wind to a marker buoy before turning back, taking different angles against the wind to pass two other buoys. Sherif El-Asfouri, manager of the organising committee, explained that men's and women's races would be run daily in the five-day competition, with the winner decided by the overall results.
The first day's winner of the men's event, Israeli Den Zeeu Jehunatan, was also the winner of the third World Youth Championship in 1999. "I'm very happy to be the winner on the opening day because this will push me to finish first all through the event. I have very much enjoyed the Red Sea water as it is one of the best places I've sailed. The wind is excellent and so is the weather. As for the organisation, it is perfect," he said.
Zapping from left to right, the challenge is on for both men and women in Safaga's Penta Mistral World Cup 2000
photo: Mohamed Wassim
Israel also achieved first place in the first day's women's event. Winner Dana Solva, who came first in the last world championship, expressed her happiness: "I'll never find such nice water and good weather anywhere else. I feel that Aeolus, God of the winds, is on my side."
Commenting on the organisation of the championship, Emile El-Wazan, head of the organising committee, said, "We have received no complaints up till now. On the contrary, the players, the jury and the foreign spectators are enjoying themselves".
Rory Ramsden, head of the sailing committee at the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), explained: "Mistral, one of several categories of windsurfing, was chosen for various reasons. Firstly, because it is sailed worldwide and allows the maximum number of countries to compete. Secondly, the Mistral One design board was manufactured in the late 20th century -- in 1989 -- and is appreciated by all competitors. Worldwide, there are 30,000 mistrals, all of which are light, tough and reasonably priced. This is why it was selected by the ISAF as the equipment to be used at the Atlanta Olympics and again for Sydney 2000".
The Safaga event is important, not only as it is the first time it has been held in Egypt, but also because it marks the take-off point for the sport in Egypt. Additionally, this is the first time that women are to receive the same prize money as men ($26,000).
