Der Tramontana machte beim Defi WIND 2026 in Gruissan keinen Unterschied und stellte sowohl die Ausdauer der weltbesten Windsurfer als auch die der tausenden Amateure auf die Probe. Foiler und Slalom-Fin-Fans genossen den Wettkampf auf über 200 km Rennstrecke. Der Deutsche Nico Prien (JP / NeilPryde) und die britische Windsurferin Jenna Gibson (Duotone Windsurfing) auf Finnen, die Weltmeisterin von 2025 Justine Lemeteyer (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) sowie der „Island Boy“ aus Bonaire, Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / North Sails / Z Foils) in der Unlimited-Kategorie verließen Frankreich mit einem wohlverdienten Sieg.
Fin Category
Top PWA pro slalom sailors delivered epic battles over five long distance courses, approximately 40km each in raging Tramontana. With four different winners (Vonk (Duotone Windsurfing), Martini (WeOne / S2Maui), Prien (JP / NeilPryde) x2, Mortefon (FMX Racing / North Sails)) the fin category, really is the spirit of funboarding, claiming victory on the 24th edition was a serious mission. The most consistent of all was Matteo Iachino (Starboard / NeilPryde) (3x 2nd and a 4th), but that wasn’t enough against Nico Prien’s speed.
On the ladies side, Jenna Gibson won every single race in style. The British speed lover dominated a brilliant Mae Davico PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) and Dutch racer Femke Van Der Veen (Starboard / Severne Sails).
Unlimited Category
The Unlimited category allows you to adjust your gear between fin and foil, according to the conditions, wind strength & angle, and sea-state. Bonairean Amado Vrieswijk, French Alexis Mathis (Tabou / GA Sails) and Greek John Soukos (WeOne / Challenger Sails / PATRIK Foils) opted for foil only. In that high adrenaline and mental energy consuming discipline, Vrieswijk showed no fear against the angry Tramontana, winning four out of five races. On the women's side, Justine Lemeteyer and Blanca Alabau (WeOne / Severne Sails) decided to enjoy both fin and foil on the day. In the end, it was the foil world champion who took the event victory.
But the good thing about Defi WIND, is it's not only about the top athletes, world champions, and elite. Amateurs play a key role in the largest windsurfing PRO/AM event in the world. Defi in French means challenge. You first have to challenge the local Tramontana wind, you then challenge your opponents, challenge yourself or challenge the distance. Some may only complete one race only, happy to complete the long run. Others are here to beat their friends, brother, sister or parents. One thing is sure, everybody leaves exhausted but with a large smile.
The real success of the event combines serious racing and parties, concerts, exhibitions show with the latest windsurfing gear on the market, and a moment of magic. The 2026 edition will remain in everyone’s memories with plenty of wind and stories to tell, both on and off the water. This was just a teaser of what next year will deliver for the 25th anniversary of Defi WIND.
Defi WIND Fin Ranking After 5 Races (1 Discard) - Men’s
1st Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
2nd Matteo Iachino Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / NeilPryde)
3rd Pierre Mortefon (FRA | FMX Racing / North Sails)
Defi WIND Fin Ranking After 5 Races (1 Discard) - 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)
Defi WIND Unlimited Ranking After 5 Races (1 Discard) - Men’s
1st Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / North Sails / Z Foils)
2nd Alexis Mathis (FRA | Tabou / GA Sails)
3rd John Soukos (GRE | WeOne / Challenger Sails / PATRIK Foils)
Defi WIND Unlimited Ranking After 5 races (1 discard) - Women’s
1st Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
2nd Blanca Alabau (ESP | WeOne / Severne Sails)
3rd Lola Brotschi (FRA | RRD)
Defi WIND Windsurfer LT after 5 races (1 discard)
1st Luca Guiraud
2nd Christophe Pringuenon
3rd Leerdam Arjan
Defi WIND U20 Girls / PWA Wild card
1st Lola Brotschi-Eibel
2nd Charline Lemaitre
3rd Jade Boyer-Gibaud
Defi WIND U20 Boys / PWA Wild card
1st Ulysse David
2nd Jean loup Francis
3rd Diederik Leemans
Defi WIND U17 Girls / PWA Wild card
1st Bobby-Lynn De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
2nd Kit De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
3rd Lone De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
Defi WIND U16 Boys / PWA Wild card
1st Gaetan Obin
2nd Alexandre Levalois
3rd Alexis Litou