Tweet

 

WINDSURF FUERTEVENTURA PREDICTIONS!

After hitting the jackpot in Pozo when we predicted the top four of the men in the correct order (yes we are still basking in the glory!), we have decided to put our reputation (and our credibility) on the line once again and see if we call another full house in Fuerteventura for the Slalom X and the Freestyle! Before you head off down your local bookies to place your bets check out our selections here:

---

SLALOM X

Matteo Iachino: Matteo just roasted the fleet in the foil racing in Guadeloupe and we reckon he can continue his hot steak in Fuerteventura. We know he is a proven high wind weapon; he romped home at last year’s event and is usually extremely consistent and in the mix in every race. He has a fierce work ethic, trains like an Olympian and has killer equipment.

---

Pierre Mortefon: Pierre is another of the old guard who is almost welded to the podium placings. He has had some sponsor drama over the past weeks which could affect his mental side, but we expect him to be in the picture when they hand out the silverware.

---

Maciek Rutkowski: Now he has had a year to fully acclimatize to his NeilPryde / JP Australia quiver we expect Maciek to turn things up a notch this season. We know for sure he has been training hard in Tenerife and he is hungry to get back on top of the podium after winning the foil racing title in 2022. He may not be in the lead in every race but he is usually there chipping away at the places and consistency is part of the game here. He will be ready to go full throttle so watch out!

---

WILD CARD

Jordy Vonk: Come on Jordy…its time to move out of those fourth-place heartbreaks. He almost did it last year but maybe needs to get a bit more aggressive on the racecourse. He has the right build and has worked for it, so we reckon if he can get ruthless, he won’t be far away.

---

WOMEN

Sarah Quita Offringa: An odds-on favourite to take the racing in Fuerte, if you analyse the data from last years results. She won every race bar one and there is no reason why she can’t repeat the process. There is no doubt about her jumping ability, so the obstacles should be no problem and this battle should be in the bag and this one is hers to lose.

---

Jenna Gibson: Are we favouring the Brits here? No, not necessarily, Jenna is now officially the fastest woman on the planet after breaking the world speed record in Lüderitz and if she can pull off her jumps over the sausage, we reckon she could be one to watch! Jenna has had a tough time in the past putting races to bed when she is winning but hopefully, she has improved mentally and can make it count when it matters. Don’t be surprised if she takes a few bullets in Fuerteventura. We are rolling the dice that she will take second but at Windsurf, we don’t play it safe! Go big or go home!

---

Justine Lemeteyer: Runner-up last year and now fully on Patrik gear, she’s likely even faster. Methodical, meticulous, and motivated…Justine’s got her eyes on the prize and her gear dialled in. Watch this space!

---

WILD CARD

Blanca Alabau: Blanca is one determined sailor and after a disappointing performance last season we reckon she could bounce back and be in the mix at the end of the week. After all she is the girlfriend of Matteo Iachino, the best prep partner in the business, so don’t be surprised if she’s suddenly in the hunt.

---

FREESTYLE

MEN

Lennart Neubauer: Lennart has turned into a freestyle machine over the past few years and has pretty much been unbeatable. We heard he picked up an ankle injury in Gran Canaria last week but are keeping our fingers crossed he can shrug that off by the time the freestylers hit the water. Even at 90% of match fitness he should be able to win this!

---

Yentel Caers: Once again not a particularly original selection but Caers is also a freestyle machine with his explosive style, which is lethal on both tacks. Yentel is always in the title conversation and if Lennart’s even slightly off his game, the Belgium wild flyer could swoop in and snatch the crown.

---

Jacapo Testa: Slightly off-piste here, but we think Jacapo has spent a bit more time on the water training than the likes of Adrien Bosson, who has most likely been busy with his centre in France plus his family commitments. With less distraction and more water time than some of his rivals, he could quietly mount a podium charge.

---

WILD CARD

Gollito Estredo: Nine world titles. You don’t ignore that. Gollito thrives in wild, windy conditions…and if Fuerte delivers its trademark chaos, he might just blow everyone out of the water.

---

WOMEN

Sarah Quita Offringa: Yes her again…what can we say… it is not very original, but SQ (the queen of freestyle) is an absolute machine in Fuerte, and from the videos we have seen over the winter she is sailing better than ever and next level to the rest of her opponents. She is basically freestyle royalty! If the conditions are marginal, she could be vulnerable, but we have to stick with our section as it stands. This one’s got SQ written all over it.

---

Maaike Huvermann: With Oda Brodholt sidelined due to a back injury, the door should be wide open for Maaike Huvermann to be the one to challenge Sarah Quita at the top. In her favour is the fact she is a freestyle specialist, while Sarah has to juggle around here disciplines. Maybe she has a few unexpected tricks up here sleeve…Let’s see, this could be her best shot.

---

Lisa Kloster: Our pick for the podium’s third spot. Lisa’s been ripping all season and looked sharp in Pozo. If she can carry that form into Fuerte, she could seriously shake things up.

---

WILD CARD

Elana Dominick: Hmmm “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe” Who do we pick here as a surprise package? We have opted for Elana Dominick, but if we are totally honest it was a lucky dip selection as there could be a few dark horses in the pack!

---

That’s it! Predictions made, reputations on the line and a solid chance we’ll either look like geniuses or be quietly deleting this post in a week. Feel free to throw you hat in the ring and put your predictions in the comments on Facebook or Instagram.

More information on the event when it goes live at: www.pwaworldtour.com