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The Greek surfer Viron Kokalanis comes back with a gold medal in the category of RS: X from the international regatta Eurolymp in Yer, France. The young Greek surfer ranked first and fifth in the races and finished with 19 points, and like this managed to overtake Pole Pyotr Miska, who finished with 31 points.

Happy for his success Kokalnanis states before the Greek media: "I am in a very good physical condition. The conditions which I found in Yer were also friendly. I hope that I will perform in the same way during the next races. "

The victory in Yer is the second bigest victory for the Greek this year. In the beginning of this month, he also scored the biggest success in his career as an athlete when he won a gold medal in one of the strongest leagues “Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia MAPFRE 2010”, which is held annually in Mallorca in honor of the Queen of Spain, Sofia. Then Kokalanis left behind him the New Zealander Tom Ashley, who took the second place and the Dutchman Dorian van Rizeberge, one of the leading names in world ranking.

The dreamed progress of things about the Greek windsurfer comes after a period of severe tests. 24-year-old Kokalanis leads a battle not only further deep in the see but also in his life. After winning the gold medal in Mallorca he revealed to the magazine Down Town, that the thought of dumping everything and quitting the sport has often crossed his mind. After the death of his father, thanks to who he made his first steps in sport, the family is squeezed by financial problems. His mother loses her job and the financial compensation is late ... Lack of money becomes an obstacle for Kokalanis to participate in important events. So in the championship in Mallorca, he started with equipment from last year ... However, the strength of his desire and the moral support of his mother make him continue.

With bad luck began their first joint steps of the sailors Emilios Papatanasiou and his new partner Alexandros Dragoutsis. They participated in the Star class, and although during the Medal race they were flirting with the gold medal, their course was canceled, and as a result they finished on 5th place.

The result, however, is hardly surprising for Papatansiou himself who only few days before the start commented on his participation inYer in the following way: "Surely it would be difficult to expect good results from the outset. There has to be understanding and chemistry between the two men in the boat. Hard work, a lot of patience and races are also needed to see if we are a good team. "

Photo: sport24.gr