The skippers' meeting has already taken place and the racers are in the starting blocks.
From now on, fin and foil will race separately in the World Cup. Fuerteventura is the first cup in which Slalom-X (fin) and Foil Slalom are held in one event, but in separate fleets. As soon as the wind co-operates, which is still unusually weak and fluctuating for Sotavento in summer, the event will get underway. Here is a preview of the upcoming events and the favourites in the respective racing disciplines.
Will Sarah-Quita manage a double victory on Fuerte?
After winning the freestyle the day before yesterday, Sarah-Quita Offringa will once again be fighting for a double victory on Fuerte. If she manages to win the Slalom-X, she can add another world championship title to her tally. Offringa was incredibly consistent on Gran Canaria - she won seven of the eleven eliminations, while only finishing outside the top two once. So if she is in similar form, she will be hard to stop this time too.
Jenna Gibson was Offringa's biggest challenge on Gran Canaria and could prove to be the biggest threat this time round too. After claiming her first podium finish in Pozo, she will be travelling to Fuerte with plenty of confidence. If the 26-year-old is able to avoid a few small, old mistakes, she can definitely put herself in the running for the event and world title.
Just like in Gran Canaria, Marion Mortefon and Justine Lemeteyer are likely to be the other major threats after their third and fourth places respectively in Pozo. Furthermore, Femke van der Veen will be looking to win more eliminations after her first World Tour win in Pozo.
Pierre Mortefon in the role of favourite in the Slalom-X
Pierre Mortefon delivered a masterful performance on the fin in Gran Canaria and deservedly leads the Slalom X rankings ahead of the start on Fuerteventura. The 2019 Slalom World Champion didn't make a single mistake in tough conditions in front of Pozo. Mortefon's performance was on another level compared to everyone else, and if he can get anywhere near that level, he could be almost unstoppable. On Gran Canaria, the Frenchman was the only rider to qualify for every winner's final and never finished outside the top three in ten eliminations.
Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails), who struggled at the start in Gran Canaria, was able to pull away from Maciek Rutkowski (NeilPryde) in the final elimination of the event to take second place. Both men will know that they have to reduce their mistakes to keep up with Mortefon if they want to fight for the title.
Blanca Alabau is looking forward to unpacking her foil again
Reigning Slalom World Champion Blanca Alabau will no doubt be looking forward to jumping back on her foil over the next five days after a somewhat disappointing eighth place at the first Slalom X event in Pozo Izquierdo earlier this month. Alabau is normally at her most dangerous on the foil and will be looking to make a strong start to her world championship defence here.
Alabau's strongest rivals are reigning runner-up Justine Lemeteyerand former multiple world champion Marion Mortefon, who both have what it takes to stand at the top of the podium on Fuerte. Lemeteyer will be looking to repeat her only win from last year in Italy, while Mortefon will be looking to get back to winning ways for the first time since November 2022, when she won in Japan.
Around 47 sailors have registered for the men's foil slalom in the first foil event of the season. Reigning world champion Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails) is the favourite going into the competition, but will face a tough test if he wants to get the year off to a perfect start.
First men's foil slalom in 2024
If form at the end of last season is anything to go by, Amado Vrieswijk is the rider to watch out for. The man from Bonaire loves foiling in strong winds and will be back in his element here. The reigning vice world champion finished last year with two victories on Sylt and in Japan.
Other threatening candidates are the 2022 world champion Maciek Rutkowski and Pierre Mortefon, who has switched to Phantom, who specialise in foiling. The two finished third and fourth in 2023 and are likely to be hot contenders for the event title here.
Michele Becker, who made his debut on the World Tour last year, will be looking to build on his extremely impressive rookie season. The German finished fifth overall in 2023 and will be looking to break into the prestigious podium places.
