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WINDSURF SYLT PREDICTIONS

It’s that time again…Sylt is about to serve up its annual cocktail of chaos, drama and North Sea madness. One minute it’s blowing 50 knots, the next you’re running for cover as the heavens open…but somehow the best in the world still make it look easy. Titles are on the line, reputations are at stake and the forecast is most definitely keeping us all guessing; so much so that we had to keep our team of journalists up all night re writing the script…Perfect! So, with all the unpredictability it has been extremely tough deciding who is going to shine and who is going to creep in under the radar, but here are our picks for the podiums!

Photos: PWA / Carter, PWA / Rafa Soulart, PWA / Inna Bru and Tom de Brent

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Yesterday the forecast was promising a relatively calm week, but then bam…this mornings update shows the second weekend could be nuking…that’s Sylt in a nutshell! Let us hope that the forecast holds, but don’t bank on it! If there’s one thing Europe in autumn teaches us, it’s to expect the unexpected….so we will remain optimistic and keep our eyes on the weather maps!

Let’s start with Foil Slalom as that looks like the most probable discipline that will get the ball rolling on the current forecast. The action will hopefully kick off at the weekend, which currently looks like those pesky side offshore easterly winds. That mean’s offshore racing and equipment choice will be paramount.

FOIL SLALOM

Men

1: Matteo Iachino

2: Johan Soe

3 Pierre Mortefon

Matteo Iachino
We’re taking a bold call and backing the 35-year-old Italian to claim victory in Germany this year. After dominating the foil slalom in Guadeloupe, Matteo looks like he may have an equipment edge this season.

While he wasn’t quite as sharp on the fin slalom gear in the Canaries, his foil setup seemed to be absolutely flying in the Caribbean. Add in his vast experience and you can be sure he’ll arrive in Sylt fully prepared for every eventuality. It’s a risk to go against Soe, but here at Windsurf Towers we don’t mind putting our reputation on the line.

Johan Soe
Johan is certain to be in the mix and could easily dominate in Sylt on his full Patrik setup. He’s spent much of this season focused on iQFOiL racing, so he’ll need to quickly get back into the groove of PWA Foil Slalom.

That said, he was on fire in Sylt last year, he’s used to the cold North Sea waters, and ‘The Beast’ is no doubt fitter and stronger than ever. Expect him to be right in the mix…if not on top of the podium.

Pierre Mortefon
Pierre is without doubt one of the best racers in the world, so leaving him out of the predictions is impossible. After dominating fin racing in the Canary Islands, he’ll be hungry to win both disciplines and secure the foil slalom crown as well. He’s already adapted impressively to the NeilPryde sails on fin and could well be even faster on the foil, especially when pairing up with his FMX race boards. Expect Pierre to be in the fight for the podium, and very likely pushing for the win.

WILD CARD – Maciek Rutkowski
Fresh off his Baltic Mission, Maciek arrives in Sylt either supercharged or running on fumes after such a demanding crossing. One thing’s certain: he’ll be fiercely competitive, throwing everything he’s got into the fight. With his relentless energy and never-say-die attitude, Maciek is always a threat…never count him out!

 

FREESTYLE

1: Yentel Caers

2: Lennart Neubauer

3: Jakopo Testa

Freestyle

Yentel Caers
Yentel comes into Sylt with serious momentum after capitalizing in Fuerteventura, where last year’s world champion Lennart Neubauer was hampered by injury. With his eyes firmly on another world title, Yentel will be tough to stop in Germany. Without doubt one of the most talented freestyle sailors on the planet, he’s always hungry for victory.

Lennart Neubauer
The good news for Lennart is that he looks back to full fitness after a solid month of training in Brazil. Already spotted on the ferry to Sylt, he’s clearly giving himself time to adapt to the colder water and tricky North Sea conditions. His 5th-place finish in Fuerteventura leaves him a mountain to climb and reclaiming the title won’t be easy…but if the draw goes his way, Lennart could well fight his way back to the top.

Jacopo Testa
Jacopo has been on fire this season and currently sits 2nd in the rankings after Fuerteventura. That puts him in a strong position to snatch the title if things align in Germany.

With Sylt always unpredictable, a single elimination is possible…meaning one shot to deliver. And Jacopo is more than capable of turning that chance into a world title upset. Don’t count him out.

WILD CARD – Takumi Moriya
A special mention for young Takumi Moriya from Japan, who stunned the field with a 4th-place finish in Fuerteventura. Light, stylish, and fearless, he’s more than capable of slipping under the radar and grabbing a podium spot. With nothing to lose, Takumi could be the breakout story of Sylt. Watch this space.

WAVE

MEN

1: Marc Paré

2: Philip Koester

3: Marcilio Browne

1: Marc Paré
Let’s hope the weather gods do their magic…right now the second weekend could be all time! That said, Marc Paré is in a flow state this season, and everything seems to be falling into place for the Spaniard. His sailing in 2025 has been phenomenal and on top of that he’s fully dialled in with his Simmer Style equipment.

 

After weeks of hard training in Sweden and Denmark in similar conditions, Marc looks sharp, confident and mentally strong. No weak spots, no doubts. Could this finally be the year he becomes world champion? It just might be.

Philip Köster

If the North Sea delivers wild, windy conditions, Philip instantly becomes one of the favourite’s for the win in Sylt. But if the conditions are marginal, it may be trickier for him to unleash his full arsenal of monster moves. This is where it gets tricky for our predictions. We have stuck with our gut instinct and left Marc Pare to take the victory with Philip taking second, if we get some proper conditions. Philip still has the world title within reach if he finishes the season strong, you can never count him out.

Marcilio Browne
Marcilio is a competition machine and will no doubt be in the mix in Sylt. Level on points with Marc Paré in the title race, he’s been training in Brazil to hone his skills in onshore conditions.

If he can secure a podium finish here, he’ll keep himself perfectly positioned to fight for the crown at his home spot, Ho‘okipa, in just a few weeks’ time. Cool, calm, and collected…Marcilio could well be heading toward his fourth consecutive world titles come the final curtain of the Aloha Classic.

 

WILDCARD
Victor Fernandez
Never discount Victor in Sylt. Equally dangerous on port and starboard tack, he has the experience, the repertoire, and the mindset to get the job done. With powerful doubles, clean backside and frontside riding and a proven ability to perform under pressure, Victor remains one of the hardest sailors to beat. Currently sitting 4th overall, he’ll be hungry to fight his way back onto the podium. The veteran just keeps delivering.

WOMEN

1: Sarah Quita Offringa

2: Sol Degriek

3: Lina Erpenstein

Wave – Women

Sarah-Quita Offringa
Fresh from training in Jericoacoara, Brazil, Sarah-Quita comes to Sylt with hours of water time under her belt.

She has all the moves, all the experience and the mindset to win here. Don’t be fooled by her relaxed, fun-loving personality…when it comes to competition, she is probably the fiercest competitor on tour.

Sol Degrieck
Sol’s vertical, dynamic style has turned heads this season and with push loops, back loops, and even doubles now in her repertoire, she’s become a serious contender. Stronger, taller, and putting in relentless hours on the water, Sol is building fast. All she needs is more competition experience and that killer instinct…and she could easily shake up the order in Sylt.

Lina Erpenstein
Lina thrives in solid waves, where her powerful, flowing riding can shine. With the current forecast looking uncertain, she may not get the conditions to unleash her best. But if the North Sea switches on, Lina has the talent and determination to go all the way. It feels like Lina is overdue for a little luck…and Sylt could be the stage for it.

WILD CARD

Pauline Katz
Pauline impressed with her radical style in Tenerife and was arguably unlucky not to land on the podium. Since then, she’s been training in Denmark to get tuned up for Sylt’s conditions. If the waves arrive, she could easily play the dark horse role and challenge the big names.

Also don’t discount Alexia Kiefer who has been on every podium this season. If it blows port tack and strong she could also be a major player!