Der Tramontana hat in Gruissan beim größten Windsurf-Rennen der Welt, dem Defi WIND, erneut nicht enttäuscht. Nach drei Rennen liegt Jenna Gibson (Duotone Windsurfing) in der Fin-Klasse der Frauen souverän an der Spitze.
Der bisherige Gesamtführende Jordy Vonk (Duotone Windsurfing) konnte seine dominante Leistung von gestern nicht wiederholen und musste die Führung an Matteo Iachino (Starboard / NeilPryde) abgeben.
In the unlimited ranking, where racers can adjust their gear according to the conditions, foil or fin, Justine Lemeteyer (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) signs a hat-trick using both fin and foil, while newly crowned Foil Speed world champion, Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / North Sails / Z Foils), showed impressive speed on his foil despite struggling with seaweed, to take first place in the provisional ranking.
The morning marathon was held in an easy going 25-28 knots and equipment choice was once again paramount in determining success as some clouds disturbed the Tramontana’s routine. The afternoon race showed a different face, with the wind cranking up an extra knot to 30-35 knots. Unfortunately, with big wind shifts that made the course tricky for the second half of the fleet - meaning tight reaches and tacks were needed on their demanding evolution, which was not what amateurs wanted, or needed, after 70km of gruelling racing today.
Among 1,350 entrants, 40 riders fought against the Tramontana on a Windsurfer LT, the classic windsurf longboard, upgraded with a special 4.7m Defi Sail edition. Former PWA Foil racer Luca Guiraud leads the old school class battle with former speed champion Christophe Pringuenon.
The Defi is also the occasion to see equipment from all kind of generations. If top racers are on the latest high tech designs, you can see sails and boards all the way from the 90’s, freeride boards, wave gear, 2.5-6.2sqm! The Windsurfing Woodstock is both a museum and a laboratory of future gear.
The PWA announced a closer partnership with Defi to support the youth on tour, which means the top three of the Under 20 division and Under 17 division, Boy’s and Girl’s, will get a wild card to compete at either the PWA Fuerteventura Slalom World Cup this summer (22nd-26th July), or at any of the PWA youth slalom events this year.
Saturday’s forecasts in Gruissan are still promising to potentially complete two more races, meaning their could still yet be a discard on the cards.
Defi WIND Fin Ranking After 3 Races - Men’s
1st Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / NeilPryde)
2nd Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
3rd Bruno Martini (ITA | WeOne / S2Maui)
4th Lohan Jules (GPE | AV Boards / S2Maui)
5th Jimmy Thieme (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails)
Defi WIND Fin Ranking After 3 Races - Women’s
1st Jenna Gibson (GBR | Duotone Windsurfing)
2nd Mae Davico (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
3rd Femke Van Der Veen (NED | Starboard / Severne Sails)
4th Marion Mortefon (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
5th Kit De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
Defi WIND Unlimited Ranking After 3 Races - Men’s
1st Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / North Sails / Z Foils)
2nd Alexis Mathis (FRA | Tabou / GA Sails)
3rd Antoine Albeau (FRA | Severne Windsurfing)
4th John Soukos (GRE | WeOne / Challenger Sails / PATRIK Foils)
5th William Huppert (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
Defi WIND Unlimited Ranking After 3 Races - Women’s
1st Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
2nd Blanca Alabau (ESP | WeOne / Severne Sails)
3rd Lola Brotschi (FRA | RRD)
4th Camille Moulin (FRA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
5th Caroline Spinner (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui)
Defi WIND Ranking - Windsurfer LT
1st Luca Guiraud
2nd Christophe Pringuenon
3rd Leerdam Arjan