Torbole PWA World Cup
The final day of the Torbole PWA World Cup turned out to be the best day of the event as the Ora finally arrived to deliver a solid afternoon of racing in 10-20 knots of wind. Temperatures remained cold throughout the day as the sun continued to be shy, but things certainly heated up on the water with plenty of drama unfolding as the day progressed…
Slalom
Women’s
Justine Lemeteyer (FMX Racing / S2Maui / LokeFoils) produced an absolutely phenomenal display as the 20-year-old quite literally obliterated the rest of the field to deservedly claim her first victory on the World Tour in only her second event. From the 7 eliminations completed, Lemeteyer won 6 of them, but it wasn’t just what she did, it was the way she did it as she often pulled out a 100m lead such was her dominance here in Italy!
Blanca Alabau (Starboard / Severne Sails) started the final day out of the top 5 after faltering in the opening two races of the event (8th and 11th), but today the Spaniard found her form to make a rousing comeback, which would eventually see her claim the second place on the podium after recording two second places and three thirds today.
Defending world champion - Marion Mortefon (Fanatic / Duotone / Phantom Foils) - has to settle for third place in the opening event, as like Blanca Alabau, the 31-year-old was made to rue a slow start to the event, though in reality no-one would’ve been able to challenge Lemeteyer, who was the standout sailor by a country mile.
Mae Davico (Patrik / Loft Sails / Patrik Foils) walks away from Italy with a solid fourth place after producing a consistent performance, which saw her only finish outside the top 4 twice in 7 eliminations, whilst Femke van der Veen (Starboard / Severne Sails), who led the event rankings at the start of the day, eventually completes the top 5.
Men’s
The Men’s Slalom saw an enthralling finale with multiple sailors all still in with a chance of winning the event heading into the last winners’ final. In the end though, it was defending world champion - Maciek Rutkowski (FMX Racing / Challenger Sails) - who would rise to the top of the rankings to secure his first 5-star event victory on the World Tour. The Pole won the opening elimination of the day to gather momentum and then sealed the deal with a solid third and fourth to make the perfect start to his title defence.
Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / Duotone / Chopper Fins / Phantom Foils) almost went under the radar for most of the event as the 2019 world champion missed out on two out of the opening three winners’ finals. However, with both Enrico Marotti (JP / NeilPryde) and Will McMillan (Starboard / Challenger Sails / Patrik Foils) bailing out in the last final of the week when leading the way, Mortefon seized the opportunity to hit the front of the pack and sign off the event with his first bullet of the season, which saw the Frenchman rise from 6th into second to keep his name firmly in the world title race conversation in the early part of the year.
One of the stories of the day involved 17-year-old Will McMillan, who not only won his first elimination on the World Tour, but he also secured a maiden podium in only his second event. That in itself is an amazing achievement, especially given the fact that he only started foiling 3 years ago, but things could’ve been even better for the young Thai had he not dropped his final gybe at the last buoy when leading the second elimination. You would’ve forgiven him if his head had dropped slightly after that, but he bounced back immediately by dusting himself off to claim a bullet in the very next race. McMillan will obviously be delighted to have made the podium, but there may be a very small hint of disappointment as he could’ve very well won the entire event. McMillan possesses endless amounts of speed and will be a real threat moving forwards.
In the end, just 3 points separated second to seventh, which illustrates just how fine the margins are at the elite level of racing at the moment. Johan Soe (FMX Racing / Point-7), who finished second in the last race, misses out on the podium by just 0.3 of a point, whilst Michele Becker (Patrik / Patrik Sails / Patrik Foils), who is competing in his first full year on tour walks away with his best result thus far - 5th.
The top ten is completed by Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails) in 6th, Alexandre Cousin (Patrik / Patrik Sails / Patrik Foils), who started the day as the event leader, saw his hopes fade after missing out on the last two winners’ finals to eventually finish 7th, whilst Enrico Marotti, who finished 8th, will be made to rue a couple of costly errors, which cost him a shot at the podium, Nicolas Prien (JP / NeilPryde) in 9th and William Huppert (Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Foils), who shot up the rankings after finishing with a fourth and fifth place.
We’ll take a full look at the results in the event summary early next week.
You can stay up to date with all the latest developments from Italy— including live stream, elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply by clicking HERE and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Also if you don’t already, be sure to follow us on our Social Media Channels:
- Facebook: @PWAWorldTourWindsurfing
- Instagram: @pwaworldtour
- Twitter: @pwaworldtour
- YouTube: @pwaworldtour
Result 2023 Torbole PWA World Cup - Women’s Slalom
1st Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | FMX Racing / S2Maui / LokeFoil)
2nd Blanca Alabau (ESP | Starboard / Severne Sails)
3rd Marion Mortefon (FRA | Fanatic / Duotone / Phantom Foils)
4th Mae Davico (FRA | Patrik / Loftsails / Patrik Foils)
5th Femke van der Veen (NED | Starboard / Severne Sails)
Result 2023 Torbole PWA World Cup - Men’s Slalom
1st Maciek Rutkowski (POL | FMX Racing / Challenger Sails)
2nd Pierre Mortefon (FRA | Fanatic / Duotone / Phantom Foils)
3rd Will McMillan (THA | Starboard / Challenger Sails / Patrik Foils)
4th Johan Soe (DEN | FMX Racing / Point-7)
5th Michele Becker (GER | Patrik / Patrik Sails / Patrik Foils)
6th Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / Severne Sails)
7th Alexandre Cousin (FRA | Patrik / Patrik Sails / Chopper Fins / Patrik Foils)
8th Enrico Marotti (CRO | JP / NeilPryde)
9th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
10th William Huppert (FRA | Phantom / Phantom Sails / Phantom Boards)