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RACING BEGINS

With the PWA Foil Slalom kicking off in Guadeloupe and the Speed World Championships starting right after, Racing officially begins.

The PWA World Tour Foil Slalom discipline kicks off in Guadeloupe. This tropical French island in the heart of the Caribbean returns to the spotlight after a long break, offering a beautiful stage to see how the riders have emerged from the winter. We caught up with Daniele Benedetti, Jordy Vonk, and Guadeloupe local Sacha Fortune to find out what we can expect.

Jordy Vonk:
'The start of the season is always an exciting time. After a couple of months of training and tuning, it's finally time to really see where you stand. On top of that, a new destination like Guadeloupe is something I’m really looking forward to. They say there’s often wind for 7.5 / 6.4 meter sails in boardshort conditions, conditions I can’t wait for!

What else can I say? I’m feeling good and fast, I'm probably the heaviest I'm ever be which should be good especially on the foil. I'm so happy the World Cup starts next week, I feel ready. The goal? To show my true potential. I think towards the end of last season I really showed some great speeds, and I want to do that again. Race smart, race hard, go fast and see how far I can go.'

Daniele Benedetti:
'I’m really looking forward to go racing in Guadeloupe , as for me is a new location the Caribbeans. I’m quite sure the racing vibes will be super cool on sunny warm and clear water. My goal is to perform at best with the new equipment, so at least to do the same of last year or even better!'

Sacha Fortune:
'Having a world cup in Guadeloupe is the dream for every windsurfer !

Everyday is Windy in Guadeloupe with 15 knots trade wind everyday. No wetsuits on you, only boardshorts and suncream is needed. First world cup in Guadeloupe Since 1987 and I think everyone will like this stop, I think there is no comparable spot to Guadeloupe with turquoise water beautiful landscape. Also having a world cup at home is like a dream for me, all the best guys sailing where you have been sailing Since you are a child !

It’s also my first world cup with Duotone, I m now in Guadeloupe Since 1 week, training and testing with friends, I m feeling more and more ready, the gear is flying, I m doing the last tuning and then I Will be ready to race and give my best at home. I think racing at home is a plus, I m ready to give my best and to show how good Duotone gear is. It s only my second world cup so I don’t really know what to expect in terms of result but I Will give all I have.'

Right after the Guadeloupe event, all attention turns to the Prince of Speed in La Palme—the official Speed World Championships. We've partnered with the event since our FALCON_SPEED D/LAB has been so well received, and we're looking forward to Jenna Gibson clinching another world title. We caught up with organizer Principe Baldini and Jenna!

Principe Baldini:
'We are very happy that Duotone became an Official Partner of Prince of Speed-La Palme 2025.

It's a "come back home".

I was with Fanatic from 1999 to 2009 first for wave and then for speed where I won the European Championship title in 2009.
It will be a thrill for me to be waving Duotone flags under the sound of the wild tramontana (Cers) of Plage du Rouet at our events.
The first, from 27 April to 6 May, will be the ISWC World Championship where the greatest ever in Windsurfing and Windsurf foil will be present.
Then there will be the World Record Attempt with also the new Wing category from 7 June to 7 July and in September the Farrel Cup - ISWC Grand Prix !

Forever Speed'

Jenna Gibson:
'The racing is run from La Palme beach. For those who know the defi wind, it's just a few km past the gybe mark at the harbour of Port-La-Nouvelle. So we are hoping for the same Tramontana wind. When the wind is a little lighter, we race on the foil, although this usually still means using the smallest foil equipment. In the stronger winds, everyone races on the fin. My set-up will most likely be the 56/45cm wide Falcon Speed and 5.0 Warp_Fin. For the race format, there is a 500m couse layed out, and only your speed across this area counts. Speeds are measured with MotionMini GPS devices and checked with official cameras on the beach. Each day that we race gets divided into a morning session and an afternoon session. The average of your two fastest speeds are taken, which determines your position for that session. The results get put together the same as a slalom competition, with discards if we race enough. There will be tough competition again this year. On the fin, there will be last year's winner Heidi Ulrich, and on the foil, previous winner Blanca Alabau. I will compete in both disciplines and of course will hope to be fighting for the top spot on the podium. I will be returning to Luderitz this November, so this world championships will be the perfect time to test my settings on the speed board ahead of another World Record Attempt'