The windsurfers from France and Aruba are the top riders dominating the new windsurfing discipline in Pozo Izquierdo.
The sixth day of competition at the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup 2024 thrilled spectators once again with the trendy discipline of Slalom X. It was an intense day with three rounds completed in both the men’s and women’s categories, marked by the absence of a clear leader, with six different winners in both categories. “To add excitement, we’ve introduced a new Slalom X format, extending the course with new buoys and obstacles, and shortening the rounds from eight heats to four in each elimination round,” explained Luis Escribano, the head judge of the competition.
Although the second day gave other riders the chance to steal some heats from Sarah-Quita Offringa, the Aruban still remains the top windsurfer mastering the newly introduced Slalom X discipline. After Thursday’s three elimination rounds and the application of two discards, Offringa maintains the class leadership. “Today was even a bit more challenging than yesterday, with more different obstacles and less wind, but it was just as fun. I’m happy to have won the last heat,” said the Aruban rider.
This second day of Slalom X allowed other female competitors to get used to the new high-speed zigzag racing format with obstacles, highlighting the Dutch Femke van der Veen with her first World Tour victory and the French Justine Lemeteyer, who won the penultimate heat of the day. Despite their strong performances, British rider Jenna Gibson and French Marion Mortefon continue to closely follow Offringa in the overall discipline standings with a chance at the podium.
Representing Spain, Andalusian Blanca Alabau improved her performance in the new discipline compared to the previous day. The increased difficulty, especially with more obstacles, entertained spectators with the action in the water. “Today we had jumps, surf-slalom against the waves, and chicanes, which basically means gybing (maneuvering to change the mainsail from one side to the other), making everything more extreme and fun,” highlighted the Spanish rider.
The Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup 2024, endorsed by the Canarian and Spanish Sailing Federations, is sponsored by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria through the Departments of Sports and Tourism, the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur, the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council, and companies such as Gloria Palace Hotels, which also lends its name to the championship; Seven Island Film; Neilpryde; Red Bull; Volkswagen Canarias; Water Speed APP; and Seven Island Film. Collaborations include the Canary Islands Institute of Technology; Canary Blue; Helados Peña La Vieja; Poema del Mar; Ejove; Bazar Ani; Bahía Grill; Semilleros Sardina; Jaklar, WS, As Acción; Surf, Wind; Windsurf TV, and Daily Dose.
