Valerie Ghibaudo at the PWA event in Alacati Turkey Aug 13-18 2007
by Ruben Petrisie

Every time I Looked at Valerie’s face she seemed quite relaxed… she felt confident and was sure she would have a good race.
After finishing 2nd in the first race and having a PMS in the second race, she finally got her self together and took 1st place in the third race. The final race of Day one also went to Loft team rider Valerie- who had the lead from the start all the way to the finish line...
like I said she always seemed relaxed on the beach.

Second day and Valerie took it easy again. A late start in the first race and already passing the other girls at buoy number two... I wondered what the other girls where thinking. Karin played the game safe and took the win while Valerie took 2nd place- like it was for fun.
The second race Valerie replaced a bad start for a perfect start! In front of Fauster and Karin she took it easy, while the other girls where battling around the buoys.
Of course when you sail all the way up front you will not have an idea of what is going on behind you… she crosses the finish line with relaxed style.
The third race looked like a another good one for Valerie, who again managed to have a perfect start- leading the pack from the beginning until the end.
The last race of the day Valerie again had a nice sprint from the start, only this time Karin pulled out everything she's got to stay close and to give Valerie a hard time, especially at the last final run towards the finish line. Valerie somehow could not really see the finish line she was telling me the story with a smile... she got the 2nd place on this one.

Third day and Valerie still leads the whole pack with ease.
A good start and not so much hard work got her into 1st place.
The second race that day I was out as well- having fun with some of the pros.
I went over to Valerie to check if everything was OK, and she smiles… I was thinking this girl must be having lots of fun out here! Then she asked me what size I was on (she smiled)… we both where on 6.8 Blades.
The second race was a bit more action than the others. Valerie started way down wind while Karin way upwind, and all the other girls in between them. The first two riders to jibe around the first buoys where Valerie and Karin.
Valerie focused on a nice wide jibe to exit with speed while Karin tried to sneak in on the inside. Valerie played the game safe and took the lead to the finish.
The third race that day was another good one for Loft team rider Valerie.
What else can I say… she blasted off on the whole course for yet another convincing win.

Fourth day it was a different scene at the first race… two other girls where in the lead on the first reach towards the first buoy... Karin and Valerie came up from downwind to jibe just in front of the leader- who had been Hlavaty from Poland. Valerie was the one with the best acceleration, and took the lead in front of Karin all the way to the end.
The second race that day was another great run for Valerie, who has shown everyone that she still has the skills to fly.
The wind took a break and the last races on that day where canceled.

The final day of the Pegasus Airline PWA World Cup.
The first race started and the flag which stands for over early went up.
Two Ladies where disqualified from that Race one of them was Karin.
At the restart Valerie of course led the pack until she experienced some difficulties at the second buoy because of gusty conditions. The Italiana Fauster managed to pump and get away as the new leader… but not for long. The Loft team rider was faster with her Blade… she caught and passed the Italiana on the last reach for yet another win.
Fpr the last race of the event lighter winds caused a busy start for the ladies… then out of the pack came Valerie in first at the first buoy.
But Valerie screwed up at the second buoy- loosing speed- while Karin pumps her way to first position. But Karin was not fast enough to get away from Valerie.
Valerie was definitely faster than Karin in this event- she won the last race and took the event victory!
Valerie won by far- 9 wins in 15 finals, and while Karin is not slow (the women’s 500m world record holder) she is now very much aware of Valerie's skills!

Karin has to watch out next year for Valerie' s dramatic come back to the pro racing scene!