Wind gusts of over 50 knots and a swell that had built up overnight turned the racecourse into a battlefield on the fourth day, where even the professionals were fighting for their lives. The conditions were so brutal that even riders who normally execute 100 out of 100 jibes with ease were desperately trying just to stay on their boards. The organisers used various courses, including the infamous ‘Downwind of Death’, where simply reaching the finish line was considered a success. In this merciless battle against the elements, the wheat was separated from the chaff – and Justine Lemeteyer demonstrated her mental and physical strength at exactly the right moment.
Lemeteyr’s race to catch up and win the title
After the first day of competition, Lemeteyer had found herself in what appeared to be a hopeless position. However, the Frenchwoman improved steadily and went into the final day just 0.3 points behind the leaders, Jenna Gibson and Femke van der Veen. What followed was a masterclass: Lemeteyer won all four races of the day and a total of seven of the last nine heats. In the end, her lead over the runner-up, van der Veen, stood at a comfortable 9.1 points. For the 23-year-old, this marks her third world title following two foil slalom titles. Particularly noteworthy: in the past, Lemeteyer had always faltered under pressure on the final day and experienced some nervous moments in Japan. This time, she showed a completely different side to herself and demonstrated her mental maturity.
Heartfelt words from the new world champion
“I’m a bit lost for words. I really didn’t expect this. Whenever it came to the final day, I’d always found a way to mess things up before, but today I did exactly the opposite,” said Lemeteyer immediately after winning the title. She added: “This title is perhaps the one I’m most proud of, because I came back from so far behind. I’m just so happy.” The Frenchwoman, who was once on the verge of giving up windsurfing, sees her success as confirmation that she made the right decision to carry on. She can now celebrate her achievements before setting out later this year to chase a third Foil Slalom World Championship title.
Van der Veen and Gibson round off the podium
Femke van der Veen delivered the most consistent performance of the entire event. The 26-year-old Dutchwoman finished outside the top four in just two of the 15 heats and secured three second places and one third place on the final day. This saw her improve by one place compared with last year and, for the first time in her career, she was crowned World Vice-Champion. Jenna Gibson had dominated the event after three wins at the start, but the brutal conditions took their toll. If your body isn’t 100 per cent fit, you can’t perform at your best in such extreme conditions – and with the margins between the top riders being so razor-thin, even a few per cent drop in performance is enough to fall behind. Gibson proved once again that she is the fastest woman in the world, but this time had to settle for third place.
Up-and-coming talent De Jong in fourth place
Bobbi-Lynn De Jong from Bonaire, aged just 16, showed that she is already capable of competing for podium places. She finished the event in fourth place, level on points with Mae Davico, who also secured her best-ever result on the Slalom X World Tour. De Jong came out on top solely on the basis of her better individual placings. For both athletes, this result marks an important step in their development on the international stage.
Iachino on the verge of his fourth world title
In the men’s event, Matteo Iachino showed a slight dip in form for the first time when he finished only seventh in elimination nine. Nevertheless, the Italian continues to dominate the event with ease and is on the verge of his fourth world title. He heads into the final day with a 6.9-point lead. Depending on the conditions, two heats are scheduled to take place, but should Iachino finish in the top six in the first race, the title is his. Iachino is delivering one of his best World Tour performances ever.
Mortefon has an outside chance
Pierre Mortefon is the only rider who could, in theory, still challenge Iachino for the title. The defending champion will give it his all to capitalise on this opportunity, but the chances are slim. Mortefon would have to win both races on the final day whilst hoping that Iachino finishes outside the top six in both races – an extremely unlikely scenario given the Italian’s consistency so far.
Rutkowski is battling his way through
Maciek Rutkowski gave his fans a hard time this week. After a disastrous start, the Pole made a remarkable recovery on the third day, only to be penalised for a false start in the quarter-final of Elimination Eight, seemingly undoing all his progress. However, Rutkowski found a way back once again and won Elimination Nine. He therefore remains in third place, though his position is precarious. Any further mistake could have a massive impact on his final ranking, as there are only 6.6 points separating third and sixth place.
A close battle for the podium places
Alongside Rutkowski, Nico Prien, Amado Vrieswijk and Jimmy Thieme are battling it out for third place overall. Rounding off the top ten are Taty Frans, Benoit Merceur and Bruno Martini, who are tied on points in seventh place, and Jordy Vonk in tenth. The final day promises more windy conditions; the skippers’ meeting is scheduled for 11.00, with the start planned for 12.00.
Results:
Women’s Slalom X World Championships 2026:
- 1. Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails)
- 2. Femke van der Veen (NED | Starboard / Severne Sails)
- 3. Jenna Gibson (UK | Duotone Windsurfing)
- 4. Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
- 5. Mae Davico (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails)
Men’s Slalom X – Standings after nine heats:
- 1. Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / NeilPryde / Z Fins)
- 2. Pierre Mortefon (FRA | FMX Racing / North Sails)
- 3. Maciek Rutkowski (POL | JP / NeilPryde)
- 4. Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
- 5. Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / North Sails / Z Fins)
- 6. Jimmy Thieme (FRA | FMX Racing / Point-7)
- 7. Taty Frans (NB | Future Fly / Point-7)
- 7. Benoit Merceur (FRA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
- 7. Bruno Martini (ITA | WeOne / S2Maui / Z Fins)
- 10. Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)
All the results and today’s live stream can be found at: pwaworldtour.com