The podium winners of the men’s kitefoil racing event, Florian Gruber (Germany, gold), Nicolas Parlier (France, silver) and Guy Bridge (Great Britain, bronze) pose for a photograph. Picture: Laurel Photo Services
Doha: Former world and European champion Florian Gruber (GER) won two consecutive races in the final to become the first men’s Kitefoil Racing ANOC World Beach Games champion yesterday.
As the second-placed qualifier, Gruber had to win two races before highest qualifier Nicolas Parlier of France won one in order to fulfil his gold medal dream.
In a tight first race, the German edged past Parlier at speeds of around 50 kilometres per hour to keep himself in contention, with just six seconds separating first and fourth place.
In the second, Parlier missed a mark and had to tack back, leaving the race open for the German to speed past and claim a sensational victory.
Speaking after his win, Gruber said, “I wouldn’t believe it if someone had told me before the race. Nico had a really good regatta and I had also some really good races so we were battling a lot, and then to start with a win in the final, we were tied, so it was all for the last race.
“I just had a good start and I think almost a perfect race, no single mistake, and it was nice to have a close fight until the last round.”
He added that the windy conditions at Katara Beach, pushing highs of 11 knots today, also helped.
Meanwhile, Parlier admitted he had hoped for better in the final after a stunning week of racing.
The Frenchman outperformed Gruber throughout the opening series races, taking four bullets and a second place to the German’s one bullet, two second and one third places, but nonetheless said he was pleased with his result.
Guy Bridge came in third in both races to collect the first medal for Great Britain at Qatar 2019, while in fourth was Alexander Bachev (BUL), who made it into the final via a controversial semi-final decider which came down to jury decision after the Bulgarian protested the initial result.
New Zealander Sam Bullock, who crossed the finish line first, was disqualified for crossing Bachev on the first starboard tack.
Bachev was thrilled with the result, despite missing out on a medal.
