The seventh and penultimate day of competition at the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup 2024 was filled with excitement in the stands of Pozo Izquierdo, as riders returned to compete in the new windsurfing discipline, Slalom X. Over 35 athletes reached speeds of around 80 kilometers per hour with gusts over 40 knots. After three intense days of high-speed zigzag racing, Pozo Izquierdo will crown the first Slalom X world champions this Sunday, following one last race in both the men's and women's categories. The finals can be watched live on the official PWA page.
The harsh conditions at Pozo Izquierdo have tested the competitors, sinking buoys and causing several windsurfers to fall into the water during one of the men’s heats. “Today was spectacular, the strongest day of the week, and the competitors ended up completely exhausted,” said PWA head judge Luis Escribano, who noted that “there were problems with the buoys not withstanding the strong wind, but thanks to extra equipment, three elimination rounds for both men and women could be completed.”
The newly introduced PWA discipline continues to be led by Frenchman Pierre Mortefon with a significant points lead in the men's class. Mortefon secured the last two victories of the day, accumulating four first-place finishes out of a total of nine elimination rounds so far. Following Mortefon, Poland’s Maciek Rutkowski holds second place, and Italy’s Matteo Iachino is in third. “I’m looking forward to the last day of the event, I want to confirm it and go for the victory,” declared Mortefon.
On the other hand, Aruba’s Sarah-Quita Offringa continues to dominate the women’s class, having won six of the ten elimination rounds held in the class, maintaining a substantial points lead over Britain’s Jenna Gibson, who managed to snatch second place in the overall standings from France’s Marion Mortefon after winning the last heat of the day. Frenchwoman Justine Lemeteyer could also contend for the women’s podium, having won a heat on Saturday and remaining in the top 5 in the other heats. “I’m very happy with my performance, especially in these windy conditions,” commented Offringa.
Representing Spain in the women’s category, Andalusian Blanca Alabau, based in the Canary Islands, has gradually improved her results in the new discipline without foil, her specialty, as she demonstrated last year in Pozo Izquierdo where she won the Slalom title. After this third day of Slalom X, Alabau holds the seventh position.
Activities in the tent
This Saturday, attendees at the event tent enjoyed various children's activities such as an urban dance workshop, as well as an autograph signing session by the competitors. After the competition, musical performances by Yasser Carrillo and a local DJ enlivened the atmosphere in the tent.
Sunday's schedule, in addition to the remaining races, will feature a special day dedicated to showcasing the identity and gastronomy of the Canary Islands, with tastings of Canarian products and performances by folkloric groups, as well as children's activities, an autograph signing session by the competitors, and a screening of the documentary ‘Born to Windsurf,’ which chronicles the life and sports career of the event organizer, 42-time windsurfing world champion Björn Dunkerbeck. The closing ceremony and award presentation are scheduled for 6:00 PM.
The Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup 2024, endorsed by the Canary and Spanish Sailing Federations, is sponsored by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria through the Sports and Tourism Departments, the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur, the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council, as well as companies such as Gloria Palace Hotels, which also gives its name to the championship; Seven Island Film; Neilpryde; Red Bull; Volkswagen Canarias; Water Speed APP; and Sevend Island Film. It also enjoys the collaboration of the Canary Islands Technological Institute; 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.