After a year 2017 without any competition, the Red Bull Storm Chase returns in 2018 for two and a half months of "competition". Because, the principle of this crazy challenge consists in waiting for a mega storm (force 10 on the Beaufort scale) on the Northern Hemisphere, to launch the challenge! From January 5 to March 17, 2018, the weather was scrutinized by the organization, which was looking for a storm of force 10, with gusts between 89 km/h and 102 km/h! As a result, we don't know where or when... It will be the weather that will decide... But it is still possible for the spot to be accessible to rescuers, sheltered enough for judges to admire the show and close to an international airport.
If a strong enough gale appears on this slot, then the contest will take place, otherwise it will be cancelled. We must therefore remain on the alert to be ready to go anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. Especially in Northern Europe, the North Atlantic, the coasts of Scotland, Ireland and England. This is where they are most spectacular!
All persons involved in the Red Bull Storm Chase receive an alert 120 hours (5 days) before the competition. The location is revealed only 76 hours (3 days) before and riders must reach the location 72 hours before the competition.
Rallying the spot is not always easy for riders, as Marcilio Browne, 2013 World Champion, explains:" For me, joining the spot is the most difficult moment. You have to travel to the other side of the world, and be prepared to adapt to extreme conditions despite jet lag and fatigue!"
The riders are scored by a panel of judges, chaired by Duncan Coombs, from the Professional Windsurfing Association's Head Judge. Extraordinary tricks, vertiginous jumps or impeccably surfed waves will be judged "The best way to score points is not necessarily to perform complex tricks, but impressive tricks." says Marcilio Browne.
There are 8 of them who can participate in the Red Bull Storm Chase. The top four are in the top 4 of the last Red Bull Storm Chase ranking. Thus, we will find among the automatic qualifiers the French Thomas Traversa will be one of the favourites, alongside Dany Bruch, Leon Jamaer and Marcilio Browne. 4 other riders will be chosen from a list of 10 nominees as follows:
| The nominees | The qualified ones |
| Jaeger Stone, Australia | Thomas Traversa, France |
| Ricardo Campello, Venezuela | Leon Jamaer, Germany |
| Adam Lewis, United Kingdom | Dany Bruch, Spain |
| Antoine Martin, France | Marcilio Browne, Brazil |
| Robby Swift, United Kingdom | |
| Philip Köster, Germany | |
| Kai Lenny, United States | |
| Camille Juban, France | |
| Victor Fernández López, Spain | |
| Jules Denel, France |
