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WINDSURF FUERTEVENTURA SLALOM PREDICTIONS

Are you ready for a bonanza of full-throttle racing? The world’s best slalom sailors have been busy fine-tuning their gear ahead of the all-or-nothing showdown in Fuerteventura, where the 2026 slalom world titles will be decided.

We’ve dispatched our finest scouts to the legendary beaches of Sotavento to find out who’s looking quick, fit and confident and who we think will be standing on the podium when the dust settles. Early feedback is that it has been howling in Fuerteventura in the build up to the racing with some pretty brutal training days for the athletes! So buckle up, lock in those fantasy teams (Is there a slalom section yet?) and get ready for one of the most explosive PWA events of the season. NB…We also asked Sarah Quita Offringa to take a look at the predictions, rate our performance and oh boy she has cut us down in flames!

Photos: PWA / Carter

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MEN

1. Pierre Mortefon
2. Matteo Iachino
3. Jordy Vonk

Wildcard: Maciek Rutkowski

1. Pierre Mortefon

Pierre’s record in Fuerteventura is nothing short of outstanding. He took victory here last year on his Phantom/FM-X setup before making the switch to NeilPryde for Tenerife. Over the winter he joined North Sails and judging by what we’ve seen so far, the brand seriously raised their game. Amado Vrieswijk has already been flying on the new foil sails and also won on the fin in Germany a few days ago, so we’re expecting Pierre to be right at the sharp end once racing gets underway.

2. Matteo Iachino

Matteo’s move to NeilPryde, paired with his trusted Starboard iSonics, could prove to be a devastating combination. One of the most experienced and hardest-working sailors on tour, Matteo rarely leaves anything to chance. Expect him to arrive perfectly dialled in and chasing what would be a fourth world title. Our scout had a word with Matteo and he reckons he is going fast and is quietly confident.

3. Jordy Vonk

Jordy has quietly become one of the biggest threats in the slalom fleet and looks tailor-made for the notoriously choppy waters of Sotavento. Had injury not forced him out of the closing stages last year, he could easily took the victory so he has some unfinished business to settle in Fuerteventura. Weighing in around 105kg, he’s built to tame the small sails if Fuerte decides to turn the wind up to maximum.

Wildcard – Maciek Rutkowski

This one was close. Nico Prien pushed hard for the wildcard spot, but we’ve gone with Maciek Rutkowski.

One thing is guaranteed with Maciek…you’ll never question his commitment. Last year he was in a commanding position before he took his foot of the gas and allowed Pierre Mortefon to take control. We don’t expect him to make the same mistake twice. If the racing gets brutal, Maciek tends to thrive.

Of course, the field is stacked with the likes of Nico Prien, Amado Vrieswijk, Cedric Bordes, Bruno Martini Taty Frans and Scotty Stallman all capable of upsetting the predictions. But if the conditions turn properly hardcore, don’t be surprised to see Maciek right in the thick of it.

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WOMEN

1. Jenna Gibson
2. Femke van der Veen
3. Justine Lemeteyer

1. Jenna Gibson

With Sarah-Quita Offringa absent, we’re backing Jenna Gibson to seize the opportunity.

Fresh from setting a new speed record in the south of France, we already know Jenna is frighteningly quick. The only question is… has she brushed up on here skills at the gybe marks? Last year it was the turns that caught her out, so let’s hope she’s spent as much time practising corners as she has going flat out. Also the jump sausage could be a challenge for Jenna but lets hope she is ready to fly!

One of our scouts even bumped into Jenna at Gatwick Airport on the way to Fuerte…where she missed her flight after getting caught in a monster security queue. Let’s hope she’s much closer to the front of the queue when they’re handing out the trophies.

2. Femke van der Veen

Femke seems to come alive when the wind goes nuclear. She relishes rough water, shows no fear and always looks comfortable when everyone else is hanging on for dear life.

That’s why we think she’ll be right in the hunt in Sotavento. Whether she has enough to take the win remains to be seen, but if she keeps the mistakes to a minimum, a podium finish looks well within reach.

3. Justine Lemeteyer

Justine has built much of her recent success on the foil, but don’t underestimate her on the fin. With a world title on the line, she’ll have put in plenty of preparation and should be more than ready for some serious high-speed slalom racing.

Wildcard – Blanca Alabau

Blanca Alabau is a born fighter and never knows when she’s beaten. While many of her biggest results have come on the foil, she’s more than capable of shaking things up on the fin as well.

And with her boyfriend Matteo Iachino around to keep the competitive fire burning, don’t be surprised if Blanca comes flying out of the blocks and tears up everyone’s prediction sheets before the event is over. We had a talk with Blanca and she is adamant she is faster than last year so don’t be surprised to see her in the fight for the silverware. Marion Mortefon is also back on the starting grid so she could also upset the hierarchy if she finds her form of old.

 

SARAH QUITA OFFRINGA…PREDICTION ANALYSIS

After all these years photographing the best riders on tour JC still has no clue how to predict the winners! I joined him for breakfast and was wondering if he had his morning coffee before he wrote those predictions. Apparently, he went to the gym at 6 AM and was probably lightheaded while writing.

I’ve had 2 double shots of espresso as I’m writing this and I’m feeling sharp.

Let’s start with the women!

Justine will be my top pick for this event.

She’s young and she’s hungry, having already won the foiling world title twice, she knows what it takes to win. She’s also become slalom vice-world champion in dramatic fashion by performing when she needed to under pressure. She has made some mistakes here and there but I think at her age and with the short years on tour that’s normal and she’s learned from them quickly. Coming from France where they have multiple training events in wild conditions, I don’t think these conditions will phase her at all. She’s fast, focused, adapts quickly and seems to thrive under pressure. I do not know what JC is thinking putting Justine in third…has he lost the plot…seriously!

Jenna will be my second pick.

She is the fastest woman on the planet!

I have sailed in her wake more than a couple of times. And on the days they put down the speed course her speed and control on the straight is unbelievable! However, with slalom X there is more to it and she will need to be a bit more calculated in her tactics when going for the gybes and the jump. 

However, I heard one of the guys saying they got annihilated by Jenna while training. 

Jenna is so fast she can afford to make mistakes so if she keeps her head cool she’s will be fighting for the top spot easily.

Marion Mortefon is back in the game this year !

She gave birth 12 months ago and is in Fuerte with her family.

Marion was already on the race-course in Japan 4 months after giving birth!
12 months later I think she’s fit again and with her racing experience she’ll be one to watch! She capitalized on other people’s mistakes and will take the inside line on the gybe and overtake you. With her family supporting her on the beach I’m sure she’ll be extra motivated to get the top spot. JC gives Marion a mere mention…my goodness he must have had too much sun and be suffering from severe heatstroke to have missed Marion off of the podium completely.

Wild card: Femke Van der Veen

Femke took the first 2 opening races last year. And seemed unphased in those conditions! When I asked her about her training session a few days ago when it was 35knots she said that she really liked it when I expected her to say it was rough.

She’s calm, collected level-headed and a quiet threat. Her gybes improved significantly in the last 2 years, her starts are on point. She does some wave sailing here and there and isn’t worried about the jump. With her accumulated experience and steady improvement, I see her getting some race wins again. And I think she will surprise us again.

Now let’s go to the men.

I think JC did a better job predicting here, but still I have some different opinions.

Top pick

Does Amado not seem like the most dangerous guy on the water?

He’s been untouchable in the foiling! And the one fin contest he did he had some bad luck, but I reckon his confidence is at an all time high with his string of wins the past months! He seems extremely happy on his gear and in his element. I reckon he will not feel so much pressure racing on the fin and with his world class freestyle skills he’ll clear any obstacle yawning. He’ll be the most dangerous guy on the water.

Matteo Iachino, he’s on new sails this year, he’s got the experience and he wants that racing title back. 

There is not much to say here and It’s hard to look past Matteo for me. He’s on the best sail and board combo and with his mentality he’s lethal. He takes calculated risks and many times reaps the rewards.

Pierre Mortefon

What can I say about Pierre? He dominated the past few years and has got everything dialled in. He seems to have that extra bit of speed and controls it well in the chop.

He might have a bit more pressure this year with other riders wanting to take him down. If he sticks to his game he can easily win. But like I said.. I think at this event he’s the hunted and I’m keen to see how he will be dealing with that.

Wild card:

Maciek is my wild card because he can and will finish anywhere in the top 3.

He’s become extremely consistent and even when he’s made some mistakes he’s been able to come back from them. His dedication and love for the sport is unreal. And his hunger to win is insatiable. 

He has tasted victory before and knows how to get it done. This guy is willing to grind it out to get the win. Watch out!