Mondial du Vent: Foil races open IFCA Slalom World Championships 2026 in Leucate

The IFCA Slalom Grand Slam World Championships 2026 get underway in Leucate. After the skippers' meeting at 09:00, the foil fleets are the first to take to the water. With wind forces between 9 and 14 knots, the conditions are challenging. The foil men were able to complete one elimination, the women two. The wind drops further around midday and the race organisers send the athletes back to the beach.

Pierre Mortefon took first place in his home race, followed by Matteo Iachino. "I haven't raced in so little wind for a long time," wrote Iachino on Instagram. John Soukos finished third behind the two - the young Greek celebrated his breakthrough last year on Sylt. Nico Prien was very happy with his fifth place: "I couldn't be happier," he wrote on Instagram. After Nico changed his foil sponsor over the winter, things went steeply uphill. "I still need to spend more time on the foil, but it's great to be competitive again!" Fabian Wolf is in 21st and 27th place after the first round.

Lemeteyer dominates, Engelmann in fifth place

There were even two eliminations in the relatively small women's field. Both were won by PWA World Champion Justine Lemeteyer ahead of Marion Mortefon. "It feels really good to win the first international races of the season, especially after a difficult winter," wrote Lemeteyer in an Instagram post. The Frenchwoman was injured for a long time. Alisa Engelmann finished in fifth place with a fourth and a sixth.

The organisers are counting on improved wind conditions over the next few days. The competition programme includes races for all ten categories. In addition to the foil classes, the fin slalom fleets will also be starting. The juniors and youngsters are waiting for their chance. Course B is ready for the junior classes.

All information and results at ifcaclass.com