Trofeo Princesa Sofia

Olympic starter Bontus wants to attack once again

Valentin Bontus is in fifth place at the halfway point of the gold fleet of the "Trofeo Princesa Sofia".(Bild: Sailing Energy / Princesa Sofia Mallorca)

Mixed results so far at the first World Cup regatta of the year for Burgenland's "fleet": While kite-foiler Valentin Bontus is surfing towards the medal series despite setbacks, only one boat still has a chance of making the top 10 in the Nacra 17.

Amixed day for the Podersdorf-based
Valentin Bontus started third overall in the gold fleet of the Formula Kite class at the 53rd edition of the "Trofeo Princesa Sofia" off Palma de Mallorca on Thursday - and had a mixed day. "I chose the wrong side in the first race and then caught a plastic in the water," said the fourth-placed finisher from the Podersdorf Yacht Club, annoyed at 18th place. The second race was even more painful: "I would have actually finished fifth, but I had a false start."

Valentin Bontus wants to go all out again.(Bild: Sailing Energy / Princesa Sofia Mallorca)

Which resulted in disqualification and a scratch result. The end was somewhat conciliatory with 5th and 12th place, and he is now in fifth place overall - the top 10 after Friday qualify for the Medal Series on Saturday: "I'm going to give it my all again!"

The Nacra 17 fleet in front of Palma de Mallorca.(Bild: Sailing Energy / Princesa Sofia Mallorca)

Habeler/Frank best of the day
In the Nacra 17, Lukas Habeler and Tanja Frank improved to 16th place overall on Thursday as best of the day. "There's still a lot in it for us," says the helmsman, who has not yet written off the top 10 at the first World Cup of the year. For Laura Farese and Matthäus Zöchling, 26th in the intermediate classification is no longer an option