Wingfoil World Tour: GWA season starts with surf freestyle in Leucate

The 29th edition of the Mondial du Vent in Leucate marks the start of the GWA (Global Wingsports Association) surf freestyle season. From 21 to 26 April, 28 male and 19 female athletes from 10 nations will meet on the Mediterranean coast of southern France. The spot is known for its Tramontanaa strong north-north-westerly wind that sweeps across the wide sandy beaches at up to 40 knots. Benjamin Castenskiold from Denmark starts the title defence as the reigning world champion. The 14-year-old won two of the four World Cups last season and thus secured the crown. At his first appearance in Leucate, he was defeated by the then champion Chris MacDonald from the USA.

Marie Schlittenbauer missing due to injury

The German defending champion Marie Schlittenbauer has to miss the season-opening event. The 15-year-old was unable to train for several months following an operation during the winter break and will only compete in the following six surf freestyle competitions.

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Marie Schlittenbauer caused a surprise last season. The German skipped the event in Leucate, but then won two of the three final stops and ended the reign of Spain's Nia Suardiaz. The two-time surf freestyle world champion was previously considered almost unbeatable. Without Schlittenbauer, the field in Leucate is led by Mar de Arce. The Spaniard beat her compatriot Suardiaz for the first time last season and goes into the race as number one. Austria's Viola Lippitsch, Switzerland's Zara Maillard and France's Manon Dupé will also try to challenge the favourites.

French line-up dominates starter list

With 17 French athletes, the host country has the largest contingent. Axel Gerard leads the local hopes. The 17-year-old finished last season in fifth place overall and has already proven several times that he can beat the established names. The Austrian twins Tomas and Aleksander Acherer showed remarkable consistency last season. Both finished the season tied on points in third and fourth place, with Tomas being the favourite due to the better countback. Chris MacDonald will be looking to repeat his dominance from last year in Leucate, when he defeated Castenskiold in extreme conditions.

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The surf freestyle season comprises seven World Cup events. Leucate is followed by Tarifa in June, before three consecutive competitions take place in the Canary Islands in August. The season concludes with two events in Brazil, in Taíba and Jericoacoara. Parallel to the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, the SFT Surf Foil World Tour the first Downwind Parawing World Cup in Leucate. French FreeFly Slalom World Champion Bastien Escofet and his compatriot Alan Fedit will be competing in the men's category, while Nia Suardiaz and Frenchwoman Kylie Belloeuvre will be competing in the women's category.

Info under globalwingsportsassociation.org