The Euro-Cup 2007 kicks off at the MONDIAL DU VENT in France
+++ Kiel / Leucate, February 9th 2007.
The kick off event of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup 2007 will again take place in
Leucate in the South of France from April 5th to 11th. The famous MONDIAL DU
VENT invites the best windsurfers of the World for the first benchmark of
the season in slalom competition and offers a total of 15.000,00 EUR prize
money. But the money and the trophies are not the only motivation for top
racers. For most of them, the honour to win a Windsurfing Euro-Cup and the
points for the Windsurfing Euro-Cup ranking list are the key factors, as the
Windsurfing Euro-Cup is the most important Racing and Slalom series in the
World. Even more important the Windsurfing Euro-Cup is the official series
leading to the IFCA European Slalom Championship title 2007 for which the
competitors can score the first points in Leucate.
The experienced organization team of the MONDIAL DU VENT who have already
organized several other international events will ensure a perfect event.
“For the second year it is a great pleasure for us to organize a Slalom
Euro-Cup here in Leucate La Franqui. The city hopes to see you here on our
perfect slalom beach location with good wind² states Pascal Maka, the head
of the organization team of the MONDIAL DU VENT. ³The premier last year was
a complete success and brought thrilling slalom action for the competitors
with up to 40 knots of wind. We are happy to have the MONDIAL DU VENT as a
reliable partner to finally provide a Euro-Cup event in one of the most
important windsurfing markets. I am convinced that it will be a great event
and a perfect kick off for the EC season.² adds Matthias Regber, director of
the Windsurfing Office.
Leucate is famous for its perfect conditions for water sports and for the
well known Tramontane wind which blows mainly at spring time. The ³Plage des
Coussoules² on the spot of La Franqui is the perfect place for windurfing
and kiting. Off shore winds blow more than 200 days a year. Additionally
Leucate offers 80 days of south-east cross on shore winds called ³Le Marin².
Every summer the beaches are crowded with windsurfers and kiters. Various
spots offer perfect conditions for people with different skill levels.
Originally the city of Leucate was a fishermen city and now still is. But
the town has developed windsurfing and kiting activities all year around.
Leucate is also a city of oysters with the famous “La Cap Leucate” and a
city of wine – you will enjoy “Vin des Corbières”.
The Windsurfing Euro-Cup at the MONDIAL DU VENT will call the best
Windsurfers to the South of France. They will present their performance in
six action packed days. Slalom (IFCA) is the most dynamic windsurfing
discipline at the moment. The MONDIAL DU VENT will present this spectacular
format in various forms. From small heats to half fleet or even full fleet
racing, from figure eight to downwind and long distance races Everything
is possible at the MONDIAL DU VENT. And the race committee has the task to
make the competition as interesting and spectacular as possible for the
spectators, media and competitors.
Several international top riders are expected at the MONDIAL DU VENT again.
Last year the IFCA European Slalom Champion 2006 Antoine Albeau (FRA-192,
Starboard, Neilpryde) has been able to dominate in his home waters in front
of the Speed World Record holder Finian Maynard (KV-11, F2, Neil Pryde) from
the British Virgin Islands. But there are several opponents who will
challenge the two: For example Steve Allen (AUS-0, Tabou, Gaastra) from
Australia, the current Formula Windsurfing World Champion or Ross Williams
(GBR-83, Tabou, Gaastra) from Great Britain, the current Formula Windsurfing
European Champion. Everybody awaits the return of the Polish Windsurfing
dominator Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Severne) to the competition
scene after his injury last year. Other hot shots are the IFCA European
Slalom Vice Champion 2005 Ben van der Steen (NED-57, Exocet, Neil Pryde),
Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) from Israel and Gonzalo Costa
Hoevel (ARG-3, F2, Neil Pryde) from Argentina. Last year even the
windsurfing legends Robby Naish (USA) and Björn Dunkerbeck (ESP) came to the
Mondial du Vent.
But the international top racers will face a tough competition from the
French national heroes. They are awaited by French hotshots like Cyril
Moussilmani (FRA-72, Fanatic, Simmer) and the Formula Windsurfing Youth
World Champion 2005 Julien Quentel (FRA-421, Starboard, Neil Pryde).
The MONDIAL DU VENT presents not only the Windsurfing Euro-Cup but offers
also Kitesurfing, a giant party program, equipment tests etc. The center of
the event is the ³Village du MONDIAL DU VENT² with activities for children,
tents with sales of glasses, clothing, jewellery, etc. and animations like
crazy dunkers (basket ball acrobatic) trampolines for kids, climbing wall,
inflatable castles, surfing game, etc. food , restaurants, bars, happy
hours, dj and much more. So don¹t miss the MONDIAL DU VENT from April 5th to
11th 2007!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The official website of the event is www.mondial-du-vent.com. The event
website offers a download service with news, results and pictures for the
media (password: mdv05). The official website of the series with more
information is www.euro-cup.org. The events are also covered on
www.formulawindsurfing.organd www.internationalwindsurfing.com. Besides
the reports and the results you will also find a live ticker on
www.euro-cup.org.
