PWA World Cup Fuerteventura: Offringa crowned world champion for the 26th time, Vonk in hospital after a crash
SURF Redaktion
· 22.07.2025
Sarah-Quita Offringa was crowned world champion for the 26th time on the penultimate day of the Slalom X event in Fuerteventura. Offringa successfully defended her Slalom X World Championship title, even if she didn't know exactly when she had secured her victory. In the men's event, Pierre Mortefon took control of the event, but the tough conditions made for some dramatic moments on the water.
Offringa: From retirement to the World Cup title
Offringa initially focussed on tackling each race individually. Unaware that a victory in the first race of the day would already secure the title, she won her sixth race in a row. The emotions only kicked in later when she also won the next race. "It's crazy. I didn't expect this at the beginning of the week. I didn't even think I could finish the event, but here we are," Offringa explained. SQ not only won the title, but also the entire event in Fuerteventura.
Justine Lemeteyer secured the runner-up world title with a strong performance on the final day. She started with a fifth place, but then improved with a second place and her only win of the event. Femke van der Veen fought her way to third place overall, reaching the podium for the first time in her career. The Dutchwoman put in an impressive performance with one second and three third places on the final day.
It was another day of missed opportunities for Jenna Gibson - as was the case for the Brit for much of the event. After starting the day in second place, Gibson briefly made it onto the podium, but her ambitions of a top three finish fizzled out after a fifth, seventh and eighth place. With her phenomenal top speed, the 27-year-old led most of the races but was unable to bring them to the finish line, ultimately having to settle for fourth place. The top five is completed by 15-year-old Bobbi-Lynn De Jong, who regained her usual form with a fourth place in the last three elimination races ahead of Blanca Alabau.
It was one of the toughest days I've ever experienced here on Fuerteventura." (Pierre Mortefon)
Jordy Vonk in hospital after a fall
Pierre Mortefon took the lead in the men's event with two consecutive victories. The reigning world champion showed his class in the decisive moments and now has a good chance of taking the overall victory. "It was one of the toughest days I've ever had here on Fuerteventura," said Mortefon afterwards into the PWA microphone. Matteo Iachino once again proved his consistency and moved up to second place.
Jordy Vonk started the day with a strong second place, but had to be taken to hospital for examination after a heavy crash in the second round of the day. He had briefly passed out on the first beat of the final after a catapult. "I blacked out in the crash and was woken up by the jet ski while floating in the water," Vonk later described the situation in an Instagram post. "After some medical checks, it's nothing too serious. They also took an x-ray of my shoulder which was injured... will meet with the traumatologist tomorrow morning and see how I'm doing. As I'm still in third place at the moment, I'm hoping I can pop a few more painkillers and fight one last day, but I'll decide tomorrow!"
The tragic figure of the day was the previous leader Maciek Rutkowski, whose dream of victory on Fuerteventura has receded into the distance. The Pole was in the lead in Elimination 9, but he hit a heavy chop on the penultimate shot and dropped from first to sixth place. Rutkowski was in the top three throughout the event, but was just outside the podium places on the final day.
Outlook for the final day
The last day of the Slalom X event promises pure excitement. Two more runs are planned for the men, which will decide the overall winner. The women have already completed the 15 scheduled eliminations, meaning that the new world champion Sarah-Quita Offringa can enjoy a day's break before the freestyle starts on Wednesday - where she can claim her second title of the week!
