The competition started on April 11th with the World Tour qualifiers. 40 men and 14 women of 20 different nationalities competed on the Mediterranean. Among them were many young and newcomers to the circuit. Their objective: to secure their place to participate in all stages of the World Cup and compete against the elite. Nine men and four women will have the chance to join the circuit, which is already made up of the Top 14 men and Top 7 women in the 2016 general ranking (automatically qualified for the 2017 season).
Athletes to watch
- Julian and Robin Krikken The brothers from Toulouse, who will have at heart to do well in front of their public.
- Le Montpellier Sebastien Garat with an incredible track record
- Other Frenchmen will be in the running, such as Nicolas Delmas (Montpellier), Julien Leleu or Theo Frémon . Among women, we can count on Maureen Castelle , Liloo Fourré and Éva Dupont .
On the international side, the young Mexican Anthar Racca who was the revelation of the year 2016, has every chance of qualifying. At the age of 15, he was already winning the U17 world title. Adeuri Corniel is also part of this new generation that is poised to take the lead in the World Cup in the years to come. Aaron Hadlow will also be present with his 5 World Champion titles.
At the end of the qualifications, place in the elite with the beginning of the only French stage of the WKL World Cup with the best world class: Carlos Mario, Bruna Kajiya, Youri Zoon, Alex Pastor, the French Valentin Garat, Pauline Valesa and Antoine Frémont..
This year, a new qualification format, easily understandable for the uninitiated: the heats will be run in pools of three to six competitors and each rider will take turns to perform a trick. The four best "tricks" will be taken into account in the final score. Maximum pressure from the first few rounds!
The big novelty for the public too: the scores will be displayed directly on a giant screen! Spectators and riders will be able to see the scores and the ranking in real time.
A busy schedule!
Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 April: WINDSURF - SUPER 8
Windsurfing with professional and amateur riders on board makes its big comeback on the Mondial du Vent 2017 with the Super 8, an event technically accessible to all generations of windsurfers where the goal is above all to have fun and celebrate windsurfing during two days! The principle of the event is simple: the competitors have to do a maximum of laps during the round. The course is marked out by two wet buoys perpendicular to the wind (8-shaped course).
Friday 14 to Monday 17 April: WINDSURF - X'TREM FREESTYLE
The world's best freestyle windsurfers will compete on this new event of the Mondial du Vent. Show assured with tricks that promise to be extreme and aerial! We will find Nicolas Akgazcyan and Sam Esteve from Leuven, but also Adrien Bosson and Antony Ruenes, all 4 in the World Top 13.
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 April: CREDIT AGRICOLE PADDLE
Pro and amateurs alike will take part in the Crédit Agricole Beach Race. Vincent Sultana, member of the Sud de France Team and Olivia Piana, ISA World Vice Champion, will be in the running. Throughout the week :
The village of the slide to meet on land
The village of the glide with many animations, DJ-sets and an exceptional concert Fun Radio Party Live on Saturday 15th April 2017 and the kite show on 15th and 16th April. The Marine Natural Park will be present at the Mondial du Vent with conferences and animations as well as the Narbonnaise Regional Natural Park. Finally, the Tandem Handi'Kite will be presented for the first time at the Mondial du Vent. A great initiative that makes kitesurfing accessible to all.
