The registrations that took place last February were completed in 24 hours! This 16 e edition was therefore a record edition in terms of registrations, bringing together in one place the most windsurfers from 38 countries.
No wind, no running
Unfortunately for the 1300 windsurfers who were looking forward to this event, the Tramontane did not decide to appear. Therefore, no official race could be launched. Only a "funny race" was launched on Friday in a light breeze, in the middle of a lot of animations.
Moreover, the windsurfers occupied their day by participating in equipment presentations, jousts on the water in foil, SUP races - in which Robert Tériitehau was able to show all his talent, meetings with their stars: Pierre Mortefon, Robert Tériitehau, Pascal Toselli, Delphine Cousin, Patrice Belbeoch, Cyril Moussilmani, Antoine Albeau, Jules Denel?
After three years when the Tramontane allowed a great joust on the water, this year we had to juggle between no wind and too much wind. Failing to party on the water, the Défieurs had a great party on the beach. Despite the lack of Tram' all the windsurfers kept smiling, happy to be there for the biggest windsurfing gathering in the world. The Wind Challenge will be back from 25th to 28th May 2017.
A host of stars
For this 16 e edition of the Wind Challenge, many world champions were present. Accustomed to the Challenge and triple winner of the event (2005-2006-2007), Antoine Albeau, 23 times world champion was obviously present. Björn Dunkerbeck and his 41 world titles were also present, as was Patrice Belbeoch (world wave champion in 96 and winner of the Wind Challenge in 2013).
But that's not all, as the fans found themselves alongside former world speed record-holders Finian Maynard and Pascal Maka, three-time RS:X world champion Julien Bontemps, Francisco Goya, Kauli Seadi and Thomas Traversa, all three world champions. Even Sébastien Garat, former World Champion in kitesurfing had decided to line up on his windsurfing board.
In the women's category, the presence of Delphine Cousin, double world champion in slalom and Karin Jaggi, 13 times winner of the PWA World Tour, should be noted.
The Mortefon brothers and sisters - Pierre and Marion - winners in 2015 were also present to put their titles on the line.
