FRENCH DOMINATION
The French are currently dominating the world of windsurfing with three world champions in two different disciplines — Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) and Delphine Cousin (Starboard / Loft Sails) took home victory in the slalom, whilst Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails) was crowned the king of the waves for the first time — clearly showing their supremacy as a nation, for the time being at least.
Things get even better for the French if you include this year’s indoor competition in Poland — which saw Nicolas Akgazciyan (99 International / Point-7 / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins) claim victory in the freestyle, whilst Thomas Traversa once again came out on top in the men’s jump category.
However, the French also boast strength in numbers such is the amount of talent on offer. In the waves they have two sailors in the world’s top ten — Thomas Traversa and Antoine Martin (JP / NeilPryde), who breaks into the overall top ten for the first time in his career at the age of 21. Whilst Alice Arutkin (Fanatic / North) completes the prestigious podium in the women’s wave discipline. Arutkin came into the final event of the year in fifth place overall, but produced a great comeback in the double elimination in Maui to finish in the top three for the first time -- pipping both Amanda Beenen (Tabou / GA Sails) and Steffi Wahl (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / SWOX) to third place -- showing that the French women are a force to be reckoned with.
Meanwhile, three out of the men’s freestyle top sixteen are also completed by Frenchman. Anthony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) is the top ranked Frenchman after finishing in an excellent sixth place overall, whilst Adrien Bosson (Fanatic / North / Maui Ultra Fins) and Nicolas Akgazciyan completed the 2014 season in eleventh and thirteenth place overall, respectively. If there is one weakness to pick with the French contingent, it is purely the fact that no-one, as yet, has taken over the reins from the highly successful Laure Treboux (Fanatic / Severne) in the women’s freestyle discipline and at the moment they have no female representative.
Whilst the French are shining in both of the above categories, slalom is where they really come into their own and truly dominate. As mentioned earlier the men’s and women’s slalom world champions are both from France - Antoine Albeau, who completed a famous hat-trick of world titles and Delphine Cousin, who celebrated winning back-to-back titles at the age of just 23. Two world champions is impressive, but equally as impressive is their strength in numbers. The male podium was a purely French affair with Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / Severne) and Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / North) completing the top three, whilst Pascal Toselli (Starboard / Point-7) wasn’t far behind in fifth place. If you include Julien Quentel (RRD / NeilPryde), who represents Saint Martin — part of the French West Indies — in the count, then five out of the top six places are consumed by Frenchman, such is their domination when it comes to racing.
Meanwhile, the women are looking almost as strong in the slalom with former multiple time world champion — Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou / GA Sails) — completing the podium, whilst they have more talent in the firing line with the likes of Marion Mortefon (Starboard / Severne) waiting in the wings. The twenty-two year old finished fourth in the opening event and shows plenty of potential for the future
There’s no doubt about it… at the moment the French are the dominant force in windsurfing, but can they maintain their phenomenal level in 2015? Why do you think the French are enjoying so much success on the world stage? Let us know in the comments box or Tweet at us @pwaworldtour.