The newest addition to the PWA tour, as well as the opening location for the 2012 season, Reggio Calabria in Italy is hosting the world’s best slalom sailors. So far, the wind has been extremely fickle and only allowed one heat of racing to be completed. Eight ladies took to the water in marginal conditons with Laura Linares from Italy taking the win. The PWA debut for the local sailor couldn’t of started better, but will we see her hold onto her lead?

Laura Linares, winner of the only heat sailed so far. Pic: JC/PWA

The forecast shows some more wind on the horizon late tomorrow, so hopefully the fleets will be able to hit the water and perform for the crowds.

With a bit of time on his hands, UK sailor Ross Williams took the time to catch up with the PWA for a quick interview. Competing in both the wave and slalom disciplines, Ross is one of the most successful British sailors on the World Tour, check out what he had to say below…

Ross Williams sailing with team mate Arnon Dagan in Italy. Pic: JC/PWA

PWA: Is there a lot of difference between your kit this year, compared to last year?

Ross Williams: “We’ve done a lot of development on the sails this year, I’ve been working a lot with Peter Munzlinger. Right now I’m feeling very happy with them. I just need to get out on the water and do some racing and see where we are at.”

PWA: With your winter training, was there anything in particular you were concentrating on?

Ross Williams: “My wave sailing! I went out to South Africa, I was training slalom with Alberto one of the team guys, and I was training waves with a couple of the other guys from the wave team. I just did a lot of sailing whether it was, wave, slalom or formula to get used to my new gear.”

PWA: When you are at an event where you spend a lot of time on standby, is there anything you try and do?

Ross Williams: “I try to look at all my equipment with our sail designer, who is out here to check if we have any problems. We also try to outline what we feel our weak points are, so when we leave the event we can work on them. We just try and constantly develop our gear.”

Hopefully the wind will switch on for the final two days in Italy, the PWA website has a Live Ticker with rolling updates on the conditions and competition.