LEUCATE MONDIAL DU VENT 19 APRIL
The Mondial Du Vent opened it’s doors for business this Tuesday for seven days of wind fiesta… While the windsurfers are getting ready for action, starting tomorrow, the kitesurfers have already been busy on the speed run and with the initial rounds of Kite Cross.
Windsurf :
This first day of the Mondial du Vent for the competitors has been given over to tuning equipment for the Super X contest. The competition kicks off for real tomorrow, Wednesday. That gave the riders today to test out the Leucate-La Franqui conditions, with a beefy Tramontana wind blowing. Sadly no Antoine Albeau appearing, suffering a jaw injury last weekend. He’s taking an enforced break preventing him defending the title he won at Leucate 2004. Nevertheless, the rider lists are pretty impressive with Robert Teriitehau, Matt Pritchard (World Waves Champion 2004) on the starting blocks, along with Josh Angulo (World Waves Champion 2003). A great show in prospect !!!
Kitesurf :
First day of competition for the kitesurfers, who can choose between the Kite speed or the (Corona) Extra Kite Cross Tour, but not both. This latter discipline consists of a slalom with a number of obstacles which the kite riders have to jump, but aiming to be first across the line. The riders go out in groups of 4, the first 2 going through to the next round all the way to the final. In the men’s event, Frenchie (and King of the Air) Charles Deleau (World Championship runner up 2004) took this round from Philippe Martin. Portuguese rider Rui Pedro Muira took 3rd place followed by Tom Hebert. In the women’s event young French Flexifoil rider Coralie Imbert took pole followed by Helene Barriere and Brit Kirsty Jones.
On the speed run the kitesurfers are battling each other, but also a handful of windsurfers, including superstar Bjorn Dunkerbeck, the multiple World Champion…. And indeed it’s Dunkerbeck who’s setting the pace with 36.08 knots, ahead of kitesurfers Seb Cattelan and Julian Sudrat, level pegging with the world record holder at the discipline, Olaf Martin…
The Tramontana wind should be staying around for the next few days, should be a fantastic show !!!
