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WINDSURF: FUERTEVENTURA SLALOM X RECAP AND ANALYSIS!

Now that the dust has settled after the epic PWA Slalom X racing in Fuerteventura, Windsurf caught up with the top four men to get the inside scoop on their performances, equipment choices and key insights into their racing  performances including getting over that pesky sausage. Incidentally all four were in our Windsurf Predictions… (cue fanfare) …we just got the top two the wrong way round…next time we will nail it!

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1^st PIERRE MORTEFON (windsurf prediction 2^nd)

WINDSURF ANALYSIS: Pierre romped to victory in Fuerteventura, underlining exactly why he holds the Slalom X world champion title. He finished the event in spectacular form, claiming four wins in the final five races. When he decided to take off the handbrake his top speed was phenomenal and he was definitely one of the fastest on the water. Between heats he is one of the few riders constantly sailing the course, getting dialled in and staying razor sharp. With Phantom sails now officially banned from the PWA, he’ll need to switch sail brands ahead of Tenerife. The rumour mill suggests a move to NeilPryde, but it’s likely that other major brands are already vying for his signature as we speak. As for Fuerteventura…the best racer won it in the end!

WINDSURF: How physically tough was the racing this year?

PM: “Honestly it was like always in Fuerteventura maybe a little bit more as we raced lot of eliminations. On top of actually doing the event you also have the preparation as I arrived 5/6 days before it started. For me was a bit harder because I didn’t sail the whole month of June as I was injured, so I was missing a bit the intensity, but it came back day after day.”

WINDSURF: Which element / Slalom X course was the toughest?

PM: “For me it was the close gybe with mark 2 and 3 not too far. It was set in an area pretty gusty and it was hard to keep the speed in between. Honestly, I didn’t like it too much, it could be good but with the right wind.”

WINDSURF: Was the jump ever scary or did you find that fun?

PM: “I am 50/50 on the jump, because yes it had some changes and different approach but on the other way it also limits the tactics on jibe 1 – reach 2 and even jibe 2 as you ae always slower than without the sausage. I would like also to have it in different places like in starboard tack or maybe 20m before the finish line!”

WS: What sort of speeds were you doing down the first reach?

PM: “On first reach I had some good score around 36.5kts. My top speed of the event was on race 2 of day one with the speed run, it was 39,20 kts on 2s: that is pretty fast on a racecourse!”

WINDSURF: What equipment did you ride at the windiest races…board sail fin etc and was there anything different you did with the tuning?

PM: “My smallest gear was 6.0 + 98L FMX, with 32 fins. It was tuned for strong wind but nothing special according to Fuerteventura except maybe longer harness line going out!”

WINDSURF: Were those conditions the ones you love and why?

PM: “Yes, I love those conditions because windsurfing is the best discipline to face them. We go fast and we fly over the chop. I also like it because first of all it’s a battle against yourself before to be a battle with the other riders. I really enjoyed it!”

WINDSURF: How tough were the battles with Matteo, Jordy and Maciek on the water?

PM: “It was good battle we were very close all week. It was not easy to deal with, the last year as I was fighting a lot with Matteo, before with him and Antoine. But here fighting with three other riders is more different, you cannot really control someone more than the others. It was also fair racing, because all fights were clean!”

WINDSURF: How important was the mental side of racing?

PM: “I think is as important in racing than on all other discipline. It’s like in sport in general you need to be confident to provide some good action, stay focused and be strong. If the doubt enters your mind, things can change quickly especially on those hard conditions.”

WINDSURF: How tired were you after a race or at the end of each day?

PM: “Honestly, I was tired, but it was not destroyed. I was getting the rhythm back day after day and was ok. On the next morning after the event, I was broken and it was hard to wake up from my bed. Here you could see the mental effect on your body!”

WINDSURF: How did it feel when you knew you had won?

PM: “I was really happy! First of all, because, winning Fuerteventura is a dream! It’s probably the hardest slalom competition on tour! There are just legends of the sport who won it. And also, because again I had some hard times and tricky moments before the event, this victory is for the people helping me make it happen!”

WINDSURF: What is the plan for sails in Tenerife and how are you going to have to adapt?

PM: “All is not set yet, but I will be ready! New challenge to face but I know I am strong enough to be ready to fight for the tittle in one week!”

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2^nd MATTEO IACHINO (windsurf prediction 1^st)

WINDSURF ANALYSIS:

Last year’s winner may not have had the outright top speed this time around, but he made up for it with consistency, utilizing his experience and solid all-around performance. Despite the fierce competition, he still claimed two bullets and never missed a final: testament to his reliability and experience on the course. It was a composed and calculated display, earning him a well-deserved second place overall. A strong performance from a true contender.

WINDSURF: How physically tough was the racing this year?

MI: “It has been really tough. Five days non-stop pushing on the fin gear in proper conditions. It has been a while since the last time we had a competition like this!”

WINDSURF: Which element / Slalom X course was the toughest?

MI: “I don t know. I kind of like all the X elements. They create a possibility to overtake or get overtaken and the more you have, the less the race has a predictable outcome. Probably the three jibes really close together, were the most technical to do.”

WINDSURF: Was the jump ever scary or did you find that fun?

MI: “I like it a lot. It was an amazing feature to be able to overtake people. When you go for it at full speed with other 2/3 riders at the same time it is super cool.”

WINDSURF: What sort of speeds were you doing down the first reach?

MI: “Roughly between 35 and 38 knots. It was super choppy and rough.”

 WINDSURF: What equipment did you ride at the windiest races…board sail fin etc and was there anything different you did with the tuning?

MI: “I was using my Severne M8 5.5m on the Starboard Isonic 63 with a 32 Z slalom fin. No, it was not different from the tuning days on that gear. I did tune differently the 6.5m and the medium board throughout the competition but not the small board.

WINDSURF: Were those conditions the ones you love and why?

MI: “I really enjoy high wind rough conditions in slalom. It makes everything more difficult and exciting. The windier it gets and the more it resembles a fun motocross race on the water!”

WINDSURF: How tough were the battles with Pierre, Jordy and Maciek on the water?

MI: “It was hard. We had so many races I have a lot of memories. It’s hard to keep pushing with them till the last jibe.”

WINDSURF: How important was the mental side of racing?

MI: “It was probably the most important factor. Being able to perform in one race is really difficult obviously, but doable. To perform every day in every elimination for five days in a row is another game.”

WINDSURF: How tired were you after a race or at the end of each day?

MI: “During the event at the end of each day I was really tired, but I was focused, trying to eat and recover as much as possible. After the event it took me three days to feel energized again!”

WINDSURF: Were you satisfied with second?

MI: “Obviously after I won Fuerteventura last year, I wanted it again this year. But on the other hand, I feel I was missing some top speed there this year and I think I probably had my personal best performance of my career. We had 12 eliminations done and my results are 1-1-2-3-3-3-3-3-3-(4-4-6). As you can see, I was counting only top 3 places and I had to race really good and consistent to do that so overall I can’t complain about my performance.

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3^rd MACIEK RUTKOWSKI (windsurf prediction 3^rd)

WINDSURF ANALYSIS:

Maciek exploded out of the gates, leading the event after the first few days with two bullets and two second-place finishes. It was an impressive start that had him looking like the man to beat. However, his consistency wavered as the event progressed…a mix of bad luck and an over-early in the long-distance race slowed his momentum. Was it a mental lapse after such a dominant opening? Possibly. But what’s certain is that Maciek fought hard until the very end, showing grit and determination throughout. His spot on the podium was well earned. His NeilPryde / JP setup is clearly dialled in and tuned to win.

WINDSURF: How physically tough was the racing this year?

MR: The toughest. We would have to go through the archives but in my time there definitely wasn’t a 12-elimination event! And none of them were cruisy or straightforward. Always 6.5m or 5.6m, always powered, always mega choppy, always gusty and shifty. It doesn’t get more physical than this. I don’t care what anyone says.

WINDSURF: Which element / Slalom X course was the toughest?

MR: For me it was the long distance. When I crossed the finish line my shins and forearms just exploded in pain. It was the fifth day of getting punished in that chop and no matter how much you stretch, roll or massage certain muscles will be sore. Add a long-distance race and World Title implications on top of it and here comes the pain!

WINDSURF: Was the jump ever scary or did you find that fun?

It’s always scary in this challenging kind of way – if you mistime it or your fin doesn’t grip on the take-off you’re going to feel like a total idiot, because it’s supposed to be easy to do a 40cm chop hop. Yet from time to time everybody eats the sausage somehow so there’s always that possibility in the back of your mind. Also, when you’re pushing with other guys and trying to gain every little centimetre and never let off, it becomes pretty exciting.

WINDSURF: What sort of speeds were you doing down the first reach?

MR: I already have an impact vest, helmet, watch and headset on so please excuse me for not wearing the GPS. But some people reported very high 30s, like 39+, which in that chop is pretty damn fast.

WINDSURF: What equipment did you ride at the windiest races…board sail fin etc and was there anything different you did with the tuning?

MR: All event I rode the RS: Racing EvoXVI 6.5m and 5.6m. All finals I rode the JP Slalom 62.5 cm, while in some qualifying heats I also used the bigger 72cm. I put the 32cm fin in and it never left my board. Sometimes what you trust and now is best, especially when things get rough. Special tuning? If I told you I would have to kill you!

WINDSURF: Were those conditions the ones you love and why?

MR: Windsurfing is better with wind. It’s that simple. Whether its wave sailing, freestyle or racing, it’s always best in windy weather. And this year Fuerte really delivered. Plus, I seem to excel the more challenging it gets – it’s not necessarily my preference, I guess it’s just sort of what happens due to my size or skillset? Not sure, but anytime I struggle, everyone around seems to be struggling as well 🙂

WINDSURF: How tough were the battles with Pierre, Jordy and Matteo on the water?

MR: Tough but really fun. The speed differences were tiny, so it was really about who nailed the settings for the given conditions and who executed the race better. I’m not sure when was the last time you could realistically say that four guys had a real chance to win an event. It was really special.

WINDSURF: How important was the mental side of racing?

MR: It’s always huge. But in Fuerte it’s more of a marathon, not a sprint. I think that’s the main reason Pierre wins it first time being 36 years old. I’m 33 and I still feel I learned a ton of how to approach this event mentally throughout its entirety.

WINDSURF: How tired were you after a race or at the end of each day?

MR: Pretty tired, especially mentally – you don’t want to look at windsurfing when the day ends but at the same time you need to learn from your mistakes, so maybe you’ll watch a heat or two. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, but I feel like no matter how fit you are you going to give your 100% so you’re always going to be tired! But I was sharing a room with Pierre so there were no shenanigans. Lights off at 22.00 – 9-10 hours of sleep works wonders for recovery!

WINDSURF: Were you satisfied with third looking back?

MR: Fuerte is the last of the repeating spots on tour that I never podiumed at so if you told me before the event I’d ask were to sign. But I think the way the event went I’d love to at least be in the fight longer, put more pressure on the others. One weird crash took me from 2nd, one point behind the lead, to 4th heading into the last day! So, if I could turn back time I would, but now there’s no point to think about it now, as Tenerife is right around the corner and it’s all to play for! Forecast looks light so it could be a very different challenge this time!

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4^th JORDY VONK (windsurf prediction 4^th)

WINDSURF ANALYSIS:

Can Jordy ever escape the escape the curse of being fourth? Just when you thought he had shattered the spell, disaster struck with a brutal crash, which left him unconscious in the water. Even with three last places he still managed to stay in the top four. Before the accident, Jordy was in blistering form. A more aggressive mindset and serious speed saw him dominate multiple heats, making him a genuine contender for the event win. Here’s hoping this newfound confidence powers him through the rest of the season and helps him unlock his full potential as one of slalom racing’s true heavy hitters.

JORDY: “This might have been the best event I ever participated in after being 10+ years on tour!”

WINDSURF: How physically tough was the racing this year?

JV: “It was tough as the conditions weren’t easy at all, but I think it was great doing two eliminations per day on day three and day four. This made it physically easier to handle and we could pick the best moments with wind of the day.

 WINDSURF: Which element / Slalom X course was the toughest?

JV: “To me it will always be the sausage, especially when it’s super choppy or super windy it’s already tough enough to go straight…. imagine jumping over the sausage too!”

WINDSURF: Was the jump ever scary or did you find that fun?

JV: “I think it’s a mental thing, I’m probably the worst jumper in the top 10, but I can make proper jumps in free sailing. Somehow when I have to do it exactly at the sausage, mentally I always switch back to the horrible looking style of making it super slow and low over that thing…. but it always works. On the positive side, Takuma was doing push forwards in Pozo but also hit the sausage…. so maybe it’s not super easy after all ;-)”

WINDSURF: What sort of speeds were you doing down the first reach?

JV: “Every day I recorded, and I was doing between the 34 and 37 knots on the first reach. I actually think even my fastest speed was done with the 6.8m and medium board, as conditions were flatter when it was a little lighter.

WINDSURF: “What equipment did you ride at the windiest races…board sail fin etc and was there anything different you did with the tuning?

JV: “Duotone Warp Fin 5.8m with Falcon Fin 99 and Finish Fins first V2 32cm was my high-wind combination. I had to admit, during the first day of racing this was on the absolute limit for me. We have a 5.0m in the range too, but I didn’t register it for Slalom X. I just extended my harness lines till the max. and hanged on!”

WINDSURF: Were those conditions the ones you love and why?

JV: “I in general love it windy, the first day I had to get in the rhythm a bit, but afterwards I was winning a elimination on 6.8m +  medium board and another one on 5.8m + small board, so in terms of performance I didn’t care how windy it was, but of course 5.8m full power will always be favourite!”

WINDSURF: How tough were the battles with Pierre, Maciek and Matteo on the water?

JV: Super tough, but fair! I think us four never hit each other even though I think we were fighting basically all the time. I think I’m allowed to say our level was seriously close this event and that means you always need to give it all, one little mistake and the next guy would pass you, this is what was making it tough!”

WINDSURF: You got on a hot streak during the racing how did it feel to be dominating races and to show your true speed potential?

JV: “I honestly felt better than I ever did before. I always had the feeling that in terms of speed I was fast, but always someone else still had an edge on me. This time I felt faster than other years and this gave confidence, this confidence resulted in winning a lot of qualifying heats, my first back-to-back elimination wins and a great ranking until my crash!”

WINDSURF: How important was the mental side of racing?

JV: Honestly it was a bit of an eye opener for me, as I saw how I was racing with confidence and what kind of results it brought me….I think it showed to me even more what the right mindset can do.”

WINDSURF: How tired were you after a race or at the end of each day?

JV: When we did three eliminations during the day I really felt tired…. the 2 eliminations a day were perfect to still be sharp for the next day of racing… so I hope we continue that path in the next events!”

WINDSURF: How did you feel when you wiped out and what happened?

JV: “It was extremely choppy during the last elimination that day and I simply hit a chop wrong while getting a gust in my sail. I went over the handlebars and crashed into the boom/mast. Looking back the catapult wasn’t stronger or ‘more hardcore’ than other catapults I have had, but somehow, I was unconscious, and the Jet Ski had to wake me up. Once I was awake, I somehow thought I had to finish to still score that 7th place, I think on pure adrenaline. Because once I was on the beach, I realised what happened and got into a bit of a shock. While in the meantime I also hurt my shoulder…”

WINDSURF: How did it feel mentally when you knew you had to miss the last day?

JV: “I think it’s safe to say that I was having the best event of my life, I was in 2nd place 1 point off the lead after 8 eliminations… Even after the crash I was going into the last day being 3rd…. There was 0 guarantee that I would be on the podium, it was way to close between the 4 of us to say that, but I think it’s no crazy thought to say that I think I had a good chance to do so.”

WINDSURF: Were you satisfied with fourth looking back?

JV: “Forever 4th…… Satisfied with the way I sailed and simply feeling unlucky with the way it ended. But I’m also not sure how many people ended up 4th after discarding a 30.5, 30.5 and 30.5…. that was maybe a bit of an achievement by itself ;-)”

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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

Day 4

FINALS DAY