With 8 long distance race completed in really hard conditions I sailed brilliantly to finish this year again in 2nd place.

I wouldn't say I was fighting with the other competitors, I was more into making my gears worked and made them go as fast as possible and to have control as I was really much over power the whole three days of the event. and having to sail against guys that do have the latest gears is hard to maintane the top speed as the new board are better in top speed and with the having the latest gear it sure makes a difference in long distance race.

Friday
TR8 7.6 and Isonic 110
Wind: 22+ knots
Fin: 40
Wave: 3-4 meter swells choppy wave 

1st race I finished 4th due to have been covered by a whole bunch of people at the startline upwind and downwind of me, had the worse start but had enough speed to keep in control to had a top 5 finish while chasing bjorn to the finish line just when I was getting ahead of him he got slammed.

2nd & 3rd race: good start perfect jibe at each mark and always rounding the 2nd bouy in 3rd while going to the last mark I always get this extra speed to get ahead to finish in 2nd in both last two races.

Saturday
TR8 8.4 and Isonic 110
Wind: 18 knots gusty 20knots
Fin: Zfin 40
Wave: 3meters swells, choppy wavey

As the wind got lighter XAvier FRA-420 had to move from his 7.0 to his 7.6. so I had no choice to rig the 8.4 as the 7.0 could be to small.
1st race I had the perfect start, but as I being really overpower and couldn't handle the sail and board on the water Antoine pass me before reaching the fist mark, but I maintane my 2nd position till the finish.

2nd & 3rd race, good start but really I did my best to really go fast but with such a big sail in such hard core conditions the board was more out of the water then staying on the water with bjorn just 3 meter ahead of me and Antione in 1st i kept me cool to atleast keep my third position the till the finish line because if I could crash i will for sure lose many places as there where many other guys really eager behind me.

Sunday
1st race, The wind got lighter I was feeling much comfortable wit the TR8 8.4 and got a okay start to only be getting to the 1st mark at 4th really close behind Bjorn and Antoine and piere, but then made a big mistake by bearing to much down wind and got stuck not getting power to get full speed to the 2nd mark, so  I finished 4th.

2nd race, ok start, with Bjorn and Antione down wind of me they had a good clean wind and just got ahead leaving me in 4th, going to the 3rd mark, I was laying in 4th just to pass Bjorn reaching to the 3rd mark, I really don't know how I got so fast to pass bjorn but I feel good and leaving me to finished in 3rd just behind Alex Cousin and having enough position to secure my 2nd place overall.

Overall I felt great board speed and this fitness really help, I wasn't at any moment feeling tired but I know that I can be faster. With me being on the  borrow gears TR8 which is 2012 sails and 2013 board and still be competitive with the guys who had the latest gears, this makes me more confident about this year PWA slalom event.

Just when I am writing you this email I just got back from the beach, testing my new 2014 ISonic boards and no wonder why I couldn't had that extra speed in St Barth.

Patiently I Await.
2nd Place is Good and I am happy with it.

Ciao Amigos
Taty Frans NB-9