For five days, from April 22 to 26, the Mediterranean coast of Leucate-La Franqui in southern France once again became one of the world’s premier destinations for wind sports during the 29th edition of the Mondial du Vent.
Bringing together international competitions in windsurf slalom, wingfoil freestyle and the emerging Parawing discipline, the event confirmed its reputation as one of the most innovative and influential action sports festivals in the world.
Nearly 170 riders from across Europe and beyond traveled to the famous French spot despite extremely challenging weather conditions throughout the week. Light winds, rough water and difficult shorebreak conditions forced organizers to constantly adapt the competition schedule.
Yet these unpredictable conditions created highly technical racing and spectacular performances from some of the sport’s biggest stars.
One of the standout performances came from French rider Pierre Mortefon, who claimed victory in the IFCA Foil Men category in front of a home crowd. The 2025 PWA vice world champion defeated Italy’s Matteo Iachino and Dutch rider Jordy Vonk after an intense and tactical competition.
In the women’s foil division, reigning world champion Justine Lemeteyer delivered a dominant performance to secure victory ahead of fellow French riders Marion Mortefon and Mae Davico.
The event also highlighted the emergence of a strong new generation of young athletes. Danish rider Kasper Nielsen won the U19 category, while several young French competitors impressed throughout the week.
In the traditional Fin Slalom discipline, Poland’s Maciek Rutkowski captured the world title ahead of Amado Vrieswijk and Jordy Vonk.
British rider Jenna Gibson claimed victory in the women’s division after a series of tightly contested races.
One of the major highlights of the 2026 edition was the return of the GWA Wingfoil Surf-Freestyle World Cup, with Leucate hosting the only French stop of the international tour.
The aerial discipline delivered spectacular action with massive jumps, technical tricks and high-speed freestyle sessions attracting large crowds along the beach.
Spain’s Nia Suardiaz continued her dominance by securing her third consecutive victory at the Mondial du Vent. In the men’s division, Austria’s Tomas Acherer finished ahead of Italy’s Rocco Makana and American rider Luca Vuillermet.
Another key innovation this year was the launch of the SFT Parawing World Tour in Leucate. The emerging discipline combines lightweight foldable wings with foil technology, offering athletes new possibilities for speed and freedom on the water.
French riders dominated the Parawing competition, with Tom Pansard and Manon Dupe taking top honors in the men’s and women’s divisions.
Beyond competition, the Mondial du Vent remains a major outdoor festival celebrating action sports culture. Visitors enjoyed free activities, BMX and skate demonstrations, equipment testing zones and opportunities to meet international athletes.
The official ceremony gathered local officials, race directors, sponsors and riders from around the world, highlighting the growing international importance of the event.
After 29 editions, the Mondial du Vent continues to push the boundaries of modern wind sports while reinforcing Leucate’s position as one of the world’s most iconic wind destinations.
The countdown to the 2027 edition has already begun.
Official ceremony in the presence of Céline Cabal, First Deputy Mayor, representing Michel Py, Mayor of Leucate; Jean-Yves Challies, CEO of Sandaya; Thierry Létard, CEO of Casino Circus Port Leucate; as well as elected officials from Leucate and mayors and elected officials from neighboring towns.
Also present were the race directors, Tom Hartman, Ruben Petrisie, Julien Taboulet, and all our partners, new and old, who support us, the surf clubs, and the many riders who came from all over the world!
See you in 2027!
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🏆 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗦 𝗦𝗙𝗧 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
🤙 𝗦𝗙𝗧 𝗙𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗦
1. Manon Dupe 🇫🇷
2. Mae Haas 🇫🇷
3. Viola Lippitsch 🇦🇹
🤙 𝗦𝗙𝗧 TOP MEN
1. Tom Pansard 🇫🇷
2. Bastien Escofet 🇫🇷
3. Alan Fedit 🇫🇷
🤙 TOP MEN JUNIORS
1. Manon Dupe 🇫🇷
2. Sofia Ginzinger 🇪🇸
🤙 TOP MEN
JUNIORS
1. Tom Pansard 🇫🇷
2. Luca Vuillermet 🇺🇸
3. Hugo Babilon 🇺🇸
🤙 SFT HOMMES MASTERS
1. Dmitry Evseev 🇲🇺
2. Aljaz Valic 🇸🇮
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🏆 PODIUMS GWA WINGFOIL 2026
🤙 GWAS SURF FERSET FEMMES
1. Nia Suardiaz 🇪🇸 ——> 3rd consecutive World Cup victory!
2. Ava Segersten 🇺🇸
3. Sofia Ginzinger 🇪🇸
🤙 𝗚𝗪𝗔 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗙 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗬𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗦
1.Tomas Acherer 🇦🇹
2. Rocco Makana 🇮🇹
3. Luca Vuillermet 🇺🇸
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🏆 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗦 𝗜𝗙𝗖𝗔 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗠 𝗙𝗜𝗡 & 𝗙𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗟𝗢𝗠 𝗙𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
🤙 𝗜𝗙𝗖𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗦
1. Pierre Mortefon 🇫🇷
2. Matteo Iachino 🇮🇹
3. Jordy Vonk 🇳🇱
🤙 IFCA FOL FEMMES
1. Justine Lemeteyer 🇫🇷
2. Marion Mortefon 🇫🇷
3. Mae Davico 🇫🇷
🤙 IFCA FOL HOMMES JUNIORS + JUNIORS
1. Kasper Nielsen 🇩🇰
2. Matthijs Pos 🇳🇱
3. Jean-Loup Francis 🇫🇷
🤙 IFCA FILL FEMMES JUNIORS + JUNIORS
1. Éléonore Lambeaux 🇫🇷
2. Lola Brotschi Eibel 🇫🇷
3. Charlotte Philip 🇫🇷
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🏆 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗦 𝗜𝗙𝗖𝗔 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗠 & 𝗙𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗟𝗢𝗠 𝗙𝗜𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
🤙 IFCA FINN HOMMES
1. Maciek Rutkowski 🇵🇱
2. Amado Vrieswijk 🇳🇱
3. Jordy Vonk 🇳🇱
🤙 IFCA FINN FOMMES
1. Jenna Gibson 🇬🇧
2. Mae Davico 🇫🇷
3. Justine Lemeteyer 🇫🇷
🤙 IFCA FIMIN MEN’S JUNIORS
1. Antoine Simon Desquesnes 🇫🇷
2. Baptiste Groueix 🇫🇷
3. Anton Richter 🇩🇪
🤙 IFCA FIMIN MEN’S JUNIORS
1. Louise Van Der Meulen 🇦🇼
2. Lola Brotschi Eibel 🇫🇷
3. Charline Lemaitre 🇫🇷
🤙 𝗜𝗙𝗖𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗦
1. Gaetan Obin 🇫🇷
2. Alexandre Levalois 🇫🇷
3. Sarp Mutluel 🇹🇷
🤙 𝗜𝗙𝗖𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗦
1. Derin Gokmeral 🇪🇸
2. Irem Metin 🇹🇷
3. Ilya Paksoylu 🇹🇷
🤙 𝗜𝗙𝗖𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥, 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥, 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗
1. Klayton Virginio Da Silva 🇧🇷
2. Erwan Bordier 🇫🇷
3. Leonid Judin 🇷🇸
©2026 – IMPACT EUROPEAN
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