Following an intense and exhilarating week on the water, the 2026 Cold Hawaii Youth Windsurf Wave & Slalom World Cup has officially drawn to a close. The event once again highlighted why Thy and Cold Hawaii stand as Northern Europe's ultimate watersports mecca—a unique arena of wind and waves that draws hundreds of thousands of watersports enthusiasts and visitors every year.
"Cold Hawaii in Thy has once again proven why the region ranks among the world’s most attractive destinations for watersports. When the world’s best young windsurfers gather in Klitmøller and Thisted, it serves as a powerful example of how nature, local community efforts, and professional event execution can deliver world-class experiences. At the same time, it helps inspire the next generation of talent while strengthening Denmark's position as a premier host nation for international championships," says Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark.
Over seven days of competition, the world's top junior windsurfers were put to the ultimate test in everything that Cold Hawaii could throw at them. The week featured tactical foil racing in light winds, high-speed fin slalom in howling gales, and a spectacular wave finale across Klitmøller and Hanstholm featuring gusts approaching 40 knots and massive, house-sized waves.
Event Recap: From Tactical Racing to Extreme Wave Riding
Racing (Foil & Fin Slalom)
The event kicked off on flat water with Foil Racing, where 14-year-old Kit De Jong (Starboard / NeilPryde) from Bonaire produced one of the week's most dominant performances, claiming victory in 12 out of 15 races in U21 Girl’s. Meanwhile, Tycho Smits (Future Fly / Point-7) and Germany’s Mika Henning (Duotone Windsurfing) claimed top honours in the U21 and U17 Boy’s Fin Slalom, respectively.
As the wind picked up midweek, the fleet switched to Fin Slalom. The final races at Thisted Sejlklub were contested in winds pushing 40 knots. Demonstrating complete versatility, Tycho Smits, Mika Henning, and Kit De Jong all completed impressive "Foil & Fin Doubles" by claiming the top spot on the podium in both racing disciplines.
Wave (Klitmøller & Hanstholm)
For the grand finale, the competition moved into the heavy North Sea surf, battling on the reef in Klitmøller and off the point in Hanstholm. The fleet charged fearlessly into mast-high sections and howling gales.
Germany's Anton Richter (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) proved untouchable in the U21 Boy’s, landing trademark front loops and high-flying aerials to win every round on his way to a truly dominant victory.
Fellow German’s Peter Gobisch (Duotone Windsurfing) claimed victory in the U18 Boy’s, while Trine Gobisch (Duotone Windsurfing), Emma Miron (F2 / F2 Sails / Maui Ultra Fins) and Anton Gobisch (Duotone Windsurfing) all produced great performances of their own in the U18 Girl’s, U21 Girl’s and U15 Boy’s respectively to be crowned champions of Cold Hawaii.
Result U21 Boy’s Foil Slalom
1st Tycho Smits (NB | Future Fly / Point-7)
2nd Gustav Permin (DEN | Tabou / GA Sails)
3rd Benedikt Emser (GER | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails)
U17 Boy’s Foil Slalom
1st Mika Henning (GER | Duotone Windsurfing)
2nd Max-Emil Krogh Schmidt (DEN)
3rd Gaspar Cascon Schwarzenlander (AUT)
U21 Girl’s Foil Slalom
1st Kit De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
2nd Lone De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
3rd Jessica Roman (HUN)
U21 Boy’s Fin Slalom
1st Tycho Smits (NB | Future Fly / Point-7)
2nd Anton Richter (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
3rd Storm Nicolai (NB | Starboard)
Tycho Smits and Anton Richter kept spectators on the edge of their seats with a tight duel at the top, while Storm Nicolai put together a clutch final day to snatch third in the overalls.
U17 Boy’s Fin Slalom
1st Mika Henning (GER | Duotone Windsurfing)
2nd Arxon Gomperts (NB | FMX Racing / North Sails)
3rd Victor Schulz-Jakobsen (DEN)
Arxon Gomperts threw down a massive late charge by sweeping three consecutive bullets on Friday (R9-R11), putting extreme pressure on Mika Henning, who just managed to hang onto the event victory after a nail-biting finale.
U17 Girl’s Fin Slalom
1st Kit De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
2nd Lone De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
3rd Derin Gokmeral (ESP)
The De Jong sisters from Bonaire controlled the top spots in the fleet, with Kit De Jong showing blistering board speed to seal a dominant series victory.
U15 Boy’s Fin Slalom
1st Julien Blom (NB)
2nd Gaspar Cascon Schwarzenlander (AUT)
3rd Emil Thybo (DEN)
Result Cold Hawaii Youth World Cup – Boy's U21 Wave
1st Anton Richter (GER | JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Jörn Arne (GER | Sailloft Hamburg)
2nd Leon Maethner (GER | Duotone Windsurfing)
4th Ben Behrendt (GER | Sailloft Hamburg)
5th Oscar Hjertberg (SWE | Simmer Style)
Result Cold Hawaii Youth World Cup – Boy's U18 Wave
1st Peter Gobisch (GER | Duotone Windsurfing)
1st Bjørn Olesen (DEN | Severne Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins)
3rd Emil Skov Nielsen (DEN | Tabou / GA Sails)
3rd Jens Juul-Olsen (DEN | Severne Windsurfing)
Result Cold Hawaii Youth World Cup – Boy's U15 Wave
1st Anton Gobisch (GER | Duotone Windsurfing)
1st Liam Calo (ITA | Severne Windsurfing)
Result Cold Hawaii Youth World Cup – Girls’ U18 Wave
1st Trine Gobisch (GER | Duotone Windsurfing)
2nd Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (NED | Starboard / NeilPryde)
3rd Frida Miron (GER | F2 / F2 Sails / Maui Ultra Fins)