#WARPBOYZ 

In the men’s division fighting it out and representing the #warpboyz was PWA regular Jordy Vonk (NED), the young Jimmy Thieme (FRA) and UK national rider Simon Pettifer (GBR). Whilst it was a marathon not a sprint, Jordy’s success ultimately boiled down consistency! Not finishing a race outside the top 6 all week, and after discards only counting top 4 results gave Jordy the edge in a very tightly contested men’s fleet. So tight in fact that this consistency was all that separated him from 3^rd placed Basile Jacquin (FRA) as after 10 races they were tied on points.

Elsewhere in the men’s division, the week didn’t perhaps start as they would have liked for Jimmy Thieme and Simon Pettifer, both clocking their worst results of the week on the first day of racing. However, the third day of the event brought strong winds and saw all of the #warpboyz excel on their small and medium equipment. At the end of the week Jimmy finished 10th and Simon 29th - with both showing moments of brilliance throughout the event.

We caught up with the riders after the event to get their views:

Jordy Vonk, IFCA Men’s Vice World Champion 2021: “I’m so happy that I decided to go Paros - this IFCA World Championship was a great success with lots of racing.

I’ve used pretty much all the gear I brought with me 6.2 all the way up to 9.0. The wind wasn’t always steady all day long, but luckily, I always had at least 3 sails rigged to be ready for anything.

From the first day of wind on it was a tight battle in points between 6 guys, we were all pushing and in the end my stability throughout the 4 days of racings in several conditions made it possible to claim the Vice World Champion title. I’m stoked and happy with the result as plenty of fast PWA guys were there. Now time to push further for that no. 1 spot!”

Jenna Gibson, IFCA Women’s World Champion 2021: “Paros delivered a variety of amazing conditions for slalom racing this week. It was such fun to finally be racing again after being off the water for so long, I had really missed it. I'm so happy to have retained my World title and it's a big confidence boost for going into my next events… whenever they may be!”

Sarah Jackson, IFCA Women’s Vice World Champion 2021: “In a year with so few competitions and lack of race training opportunities for me, I am so glad I went to the IFCA World Championships in Paros. Over the week we did 27 races and over 30 starts including general recalls – I think this might be more than I have done in total over the last 2 years! We had idyllic conditions from 5.5 to 8.4 across the event and a great group of girls to race with! It was so much fun to race and to come away with the Vice World Title has definitely exceeded this season’s goals!”

Olivia Rosique, IFCA Women’s 3rd Place: "I really loved this competition, it was my first time in Greece and I thought the spot was really great. The wind was present 4/5 days and under all its strength, I sailed from the 7.8 to the 5.0! This is my first international podium so I am definitely delighted with my result but also very happy to have been able to ride and fight with girls who sail at a high level abroad."