Great news: Elena Kalinina won a bronze medal at the first World beach games. According to the press service of the Academy sailing of the Yacht club of Saint-Petersburg:
The first world beach games held in Qatar from 12 to 16 October. In the competition participated in 1237 athletes from 97 countries. The program includes 13 sports – including basketball 3×3, the open water swimming, beach handball and, of course, kiteboarding.
In kiteboarding we had serious reasons to expect a medal. Athlete Academy sailing Elena Kalinina for a couple of weeks before, won a silver medal in the world Cup, so in Qatar came with the most ambitious plans. Her competition at the World beach games was 19 strongest athletes from all over the world, including world Cup winner Daniel frost (USA).
Weather conditions in Qatar did not have to race at high speeds. The air warmed up to 38 degrees, the water up to 32, but wind strength rarely exceed 4 m/s During races with athletes flowed sweat. On the first day due to the lack of wind, the judges were given only one race in which Elena Kalinina came sixth. But on the second day, the breeze helped to hold six races to complete the qualification. Kalinin showed two second, two third and fourth wards, finishing in third place.
The results of qualifying directly to the finals selected, only the top two racers. They are the American Daniel frost and polka Julia Domashevich. While our player had to muscle his way into the medals through the semi-finals. Fortunately, the third day of racing Elena coped with all the difficulties – she has confidently won both the semifinal race and made it to the final four.
The medals were decided by one race, which was attended by Daniela Moroz, Yulia Domashevich, Elena Kalinina and Brian Whitehead. The first two reached the final with a solid Foundation, so to win our sportswoman was quite difficult. As expected, the gold was won by American frost silver went to the Polke Domashevich. But for the third line, turned a serious struggle. Despite all the efforts of the Australian Whitehead, Kalinina tactically spent the race and gave competition to get ahead of myself on any sign.
“The organizers have introduced an interesting format that made the competitions more entertaining, – says Elena Kalinina. For normal regattas to the last race there is almost no intrigue, everything is decided within the first three days. Here in the finals almost got athlete who finished the qualification in eighth place. This format keeps in suspense and does not relax. In the final I drew and lost to Yulia consciously, because I needed to control the Australian. The format of this regatta, if you have not reached the final directly, to rise above the third place is almost unreal.
The World beach games as I was extremely nervous. When at the airport we were met by a whole Olympic team of Russia, I felt a huge responsibility for the result. Glad that won for the country a medal.”
Recall that kiteboarding is included in the program of the Olympic games in 2024. The international sailing Federation decided to introduce in Paris a team in kiteboarding with mixed crews.
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