3 races and well over 100km windsurfed… 2018 looked like an AMAZING event…
[Defi Wind Gruissan 2018] Winners are Warembourg and Decourt !
After two days with no wind, the Tramontane was back this Sunday on the Defi Wind in Gruissan. This morning, the skippers meeting was forwarded to 8:00 to make best use of this last course day with the goal to finish three races. In a “black” quite strong and irregular Tramontane, three races had been launched but only two of them could be finished. By winning all of the races, Nicolas Warembourg became the boss ahead of all the 1200 windsurfers. Nicolas Goyard and Kevin Grosjean completed the podium. In the women’s category it is Cecile Decourt who took victory.
Early wakeup call
This morning, the wakeup call was very early for the whole fleet. Considering the weather forecast, Philippe Bru had decided to forward the first meeting to 8:00 with the goal to finish three races and to obtain the most precise sports result holding back 3 races on 4. A heavy rain obliged the organization to move the meeting inside the tent instead of having it outside on the main scene. That was a first time for the Defi but that was not going to be the only novelty of the day…
Two races, almost three
The first race of the day took place with about 30 knots at the start with gusts until 35 knots at Port Port La Nouvelle. Nicolas Warembourg did not shiver with his 6.4 Neilpryde Evo 10 and was victorious ahead of Patrik Diethelm, Nicolas Goyard and Kevin Grosjean. With the cold weather and the wind getting stronger, it was a difficult run but everybody was unanimous about the wind direction saying that it was perfect gliding over the water in both directions! A bit after 13:00 the second race of the day was launched with a stronger wind around 40 knots. The riders went on the water with smaller sails like Kevin Grosjean with his Warp F2018 5.4. Behind, the majority of the fleet followed with rather 4.2. The first at buoy n°1 was Pierre Moretti who had realized a big performance in this run by finishing second at only a few meters behind the inevitable Nicolas Warembourg and ahead of the incredible Kevin Grosjean. Victorious of three races out of three, it was at that moment that F531 had won the event. At about 16:00, a third race of the day was launched but because of a change of wind getting weaker during the run, the race was canceled at the end of the first half of the double race.
Guest star Dani Pedrosa
Outside of the course, one the most remarkable moments of the day was the presence of Dani Pedrosa at the Defi Wind, three times Moto world champion (125 and 250cc) and 4th at the MOTO GP 2017. The Honda team racer, windsurfer and friend of the legend Björn Dunkerbeck came to visit the other speed lovers. He shared some runs with Björn Dunkerbeck who is recovering from a hip operation. But Dani promised, next year he will participate at the Defi Wind! Meanwhile he fired off the countdown for race n° 3!
Warembourg fulfilled his dream
Already two times second on two of the former editions with Tramontane wind (2014-2015), Nicolas Warembourg was held favorite for this 18th Defi Wind, a difficult position to deal with when you know that this is the biggest event in the world. But by winning the first race, Warembourg felt free and continued with impressive skills and without any mistakes. Three races and three victories, the final result of this indisputable winner of this Defi Wind 2018. He fell in love with the Defi Wind several years ago and moved to Gruissan to prepare himself for this event and to take advantage of the Tramontane the whole year round. Today he fulfilled his dream by joining the select club of men with their name engraved on the trophee.
Grosjean et Goyard, futur leaders
Two new names completed the podium of this Defi Wind 2018 but the chances are high that we will hear about these names again. Nicolas Goyard was already known for speed and slalom and even more for foil windsurfing, this time here he proved that he was also very strong on long distance. With a second place at the Defi Wind of Gruissan and at his age, a beautiful future is promised for him. And what about Kevin Grosjean? Slalom gear tester at Wind and journalist for the magazine, he took the 3rd place on the podium. With supersonic speed, Kevin signed the four races among the four leaders. The 2017 Mauritius Defi Wind left behind of him two former Defi Wind Gruissan winners : Andrea Cucchi (4th) and Patrik Diethelm (5th). Enormous big-up to Kevin was known until not long ago, just a lambda windsurfing amateur. This podium is a real beautiful story as only the Defi Wind knows how to write.
Marathon day
Talking about amateurs, today was a rough day! First of all it was bloody cold and then the wind strengthened until 40 knots for the 2ndrace. And on top of that you add the kilometers. With two 40 km races in a row on a last day was never seen before on a Defi Wind. 80 km of runs in one day and with Tramontane wind is a real biiiig Defi day. But when Philippe Bru sends the fleet back on the water for a third race, most of us understood why this event suits its name so well! Unluckily the wind got disturbed during the 3rdrace. This one was cancelled as the first riders were already half on track and the majority at Port La Nouvelle. Even if this race was not validated, there was 100 km of windsurfing today at the Defi! Congratulations to all of the riders who managed to complete this distance, even though we must admit that the fleet got wiped out gradually during the races of this Sunday.
Cécile Decourt victorious in women’s category
On the women’s side, it is the local rider Cécile Decourt who won all the races and proved her skills in these difficult conditions. Ranked 136th in the general ranking ahead of more than 1000 men, which is absolutely remarkable! Lucie Hervoche takes the second place ahead of Olivia Rosic.
Prize giving
In the end of the day, the prize giving was once again the perfect occasion to give presents away, such as; travel trips by Ultramarina, wine from Petit Balthazar and of Cave de Gruissan, sun glasses from Costa, a magnificent Phantom Windsurfing sail, Gasoil fins, a Zeeko foil, a North Sails gear, a voucher at Sportihome, and magnums of « Premieres Bulles », to the participants just before the official prize giving. After that the trophies were given by Andrée Domenech (sports deputy at the Gruissan town council), Jacques Bascou (President of Agglomeration du Grand Narbonne), Jean-Luc Durand (Aude department) and Didier Codorniou (Vice-president of the Region Occitanie and major of Gruissan). Of course an appointment has been made for next year!
Provisionnal Overall Ranking after 3 races
1. Nicolas Warembourg
2. Nicolas Goyard
3. Kevin Grosjean
4. Andrea Cucchi
5. Patrik Diethelm
6. Antoine Lorin
7. Kasper Larsenn
8. Thomas Goyard
9. Ludovic Jossin
10. Andy Laufer
Provisionnal ranking women
1. Cecile Decourt (136)
2. Lucie Hervoche (203)
3. Olivia Rosic (210)
