It was my first trip to this legendary European windsurf spot. Already on the registration day the frustrating rumour of a “no-wind-week” was around. And the forecast would be proven right: perfect beach weather but not a breeze of wind for the first five days! Personally I made the most out of my first ever trip to Portugal. Enjoyed the glassy surf conditions, spent a day in Lisbon, visited all castles in the region and was simply overwhelmed by the beauty of this coastline!

Just one day to go – and the forecast changed slightly. Suddenly Sunday was supposed to be windy. But the wind and waves were only forecasted for late afternoon. That wouldn’t give us enough time to run a full world cup event for the men and the women fleet. Speculations were quickly made – maybe if it’s too late for the guys we could at least get a result for the women fleet…

A light breeze woke me on that Sunday morning. We immediately left for the beach. But the wind was too light to get an early start. Unexpected it filled in just 30 minutes later. Everybody run for his or hers equipment to be ready in time. Half an hour later the first men competitions were under way…and by 8 in the evening we sailed the men and the women finals!

Guincho is one of the rare European spots where the wind blows from the right. Once that has been my favourite conditions – but after two years of not having sailed that wind directions anymore I was a bit worried how it would feel. Therefore I wanted to get used to the conditions and decided to warm up early. In that first session I barely got planning on my light wind gear. Hours later – still before my first heat - I was already on my smaller sail. And till the final I used the smallest gear I had brought to Portugal. What a day!

I was very pleased to make it all the way to the final. Now I had nothing to loose anymore. I knew that against Daida I would have to give my best. No more tactics – just full battle. I over rotated my first high forward. Caught a wave on the way in – went really deep - risked a lot – too much - already in the second minute I went down, broke my mast and the final was over for me. Unfortunate – and a bit stupid. But nevertheless I am very happy with my second place in the first big wave contest of the year 2006.