Indian summer with a light easterly wind and glorious sunshine or a storm from the west and nasty weather with rain across - these traditionally seem to be the two alternatives for the Windsurf World Cup on Brandenburg Beach. For all our love of sunny weather, it's the storms and brutal conditions that have made the Sylt World Cup so famous (and infamous). Let's see what the surprise egg 2023 has in store for the pros and the many spectators. Once again this year, tens of thousands will make a pilgrimage along the promenade to enjoy the combination of sport and entertainment.
On the water, over 100 men and women will be battling for more than just the coveted event trophies. The men's freestyle event will definitely decide the world champion title. In the men's and women's wave riding, the favourites for the World Championship title will position themselves before the final event in Hookipa on Maui. However, the special conditions there could shake up the results once again. In the men's slalom, the battle between foil and Finn is sure to be extremely exciting again on Sylt. However, the world championship title will not be decided until November in Yokosuka, Japan.
Waveriding ladies
Sarah-Quita Offringa comes to Sylt as the leader in the annual ranking and is also one of the favourites there. Lina Erpenstein impressed in Pozo with third place and will also be aiming for the podium on Sylt - maybe even her first World Cup win. However, the World Cup decision will not be made until the Aloha Classic on Maui, which begins at the end of October.
Before the World Cup on Sylt, the ranking looks significantly different than in previous years - also due to the joint events with the IWT. With Chile, Fiji and Peru, there have already been three contests with down-the-line conditions in which strong female wave riders such as Sarah Hauser, Maria Andres and the two legends Jane Seman and Jessica Crisp have ridden to the top. You are unlikely to see these riders from the IWT field on Sylt, but you will see them again on Maui.
Daida Moreno, the multiple world champion and Pozo winner, is also no longer taking part. After her home event in Gran Canaria, she cancelled her Withdrawal from the PWA Tour announced . On the German side, Lina Erpenstein, Steffi Wahl and Caroline Weber are taking part, as well as newcomer Maria Behrens and, for the first time, Sybille Bode. Justyna Sniady from Poland and Belgian prodigy Sol Degrieck are also registered for Sylt.
Wave Women: Favourites and German starters
Waveriding men
Can Ricardo Campello finally fulfil his dream of winning the wave title in 2023? He is currently greeting from his place in the sun in the world rankings - and is already training diligently in the unloved onshore conditions, as he recently revealed on Instagram. Behind Campello is Marcilio Browne, who won in Pozo but was eliminated early in Fiji. Both are absolute top performers in uncomfortable conditions such as on Sylt as well as in classic Hookipa waves and have the very best chances of winning the World Championship title. Co-favourite Philip Köster unfortunately had to end the season due to injury, so the crowd favourite will be missing on Sylt.
As with the women's competition, the different spots this year are creating a lot of excitement - and with the different star ratings, the effects of a good or bad result are almost impossible to predict. Lurking in third place in the rankings is Marc Paré, who many see as the next world champion. Behind him is Antoine Martin, who is always able to cause surprises with his great courage and is apparently working on a new combination manoeuvre.
Leon Jamaer is a candidate for the top 5 on Sylt, he also rode strongly in Pozo. Julian Salmonn has a strong Chile result on his scoresheet, but things didn't go to plan for him in Fiji and Pozo. Will he attack again on Sylt?
In addition to these two experienced professionals, three newcomers with the G in their sails - Nick Spangenberg, Henri Kolberg and Laurin Schmuth - will also be taking part on Sylt. As is well known, veteran Klaas Voget ended his professional career last year.
Wave Men: Favourites and German starters
Freestyle men
As unpredictable as the conditions on Sylt are, it is difficult to define the favourites. Yentel Caers leads ahead of Adrien Bosson and Antony Ruenes - one of the three will probably be crowned world champion on Sylt. Who it is is completely open. Niclas Nebelung is probably flirting with a place in the top 5.
Lennart Neubauer, who is competing for Greece, is also likely to be in the spotlight. He finished sixth at the only other freestyle event on Fuerteventura and has established himself in the top group. Amado Vrieswijk has been at home there for years, but has been focussing on racing recently - or does the 2021 world champion want to give it another go after missing out on the iQFoil? Balz Müller is also always good for an eye-catcher and will probably also be seen on the foil away from the competition.
Freestyle men: Favourites and German starter
Slalom
Foil or fin - the conditions on Sylt will also decide that. Even in strong winds like in Pozo or on Fuerteventura, the foil has often proved superior this season. As waves and freestylers usually take priority in strong winds on Sylt, the vast majority of riders are likely to favour foiling here too. One major hurdle is the shorebreak, and many a rider has ended up in the Sylt washing machine with their expensive equipment.
Everything is still wide open in the annual standings, with world champion Maciek Rutkowski currently in the lead. Behind him are Pierre Mortefon and Matteo Iachino, two riders who also already have a world title in their pockets. Pozo winner Enrico Marotti is lurking in fourth place. But if there is a classification on Sylt, a stringer will come into play that could massively shake up the ranking.
A secret favourite is the Dane Johann Søe, who, like Nicolas Goyard, has not yet ridden all the events this season. With Nico Prien and Michele Becker, two Germans are in the top 10 in sixth and seventh place after three World Cups. Becker and Søe have trained extensively in the rough North Sea conditions in recent weeks. iQFoil Vice World Champion Sebastian Kördel is also taking part on Sylt, and Lars Poggemann and Malte Reuscher are also currently registered.
After the World Cup Sylt, the slalom racers will head to Yokosuka in Japan for the tour finale in November. The World Cup decision will be made there
Slalom: Favourites and German starters
Supporting programme at the World Cup Sylt
Of course there will also be partying on Sylt, the large party tent is the meeting point for fans and pros every evening. You can also meet them at the surf magazine stand for autograph sessions and interviews with our radio partner Antenne Sylt.
