ISA SPEEDSURFING GRAND PRIX, FUERTEVENTURA

For the crème de la crème of speed windsurfing, the battle is on for the world championship titles and new records. The Windsurfing & Kiteboarding World Cup will again be held in Fuerteventura this year, for the 22nd year running.

When Fuerteventura beckons with its crystal clear and turquoise waters and guaranteed wind, the world’s speed windsurfing elite cannot resist. This is why the list of competitors reads much like a “Who’s Who” of speed windsurfing in the world. These wind riders can bank on ideal conditions on the island. As can spectators and the media. For them, Fuerteventura is also the perfect venue, since the wind blows from just the right direction to allow contests to be held very close to the beach.

In the men’s fleet, all eyes are set to the reigning world champion and 500m world record holder Finian Maynard from the British Virgin Islands, who clearly dominated last years season.

His biggest opponent at the moment seems to be Jose Bahadour from Guadeloupe, who dominated in the light winds of Karpathos. Can he also stand the hard conditions on Fuerteventura ?

Ready for the shot to the top are Antoine Albeau from France, currently number three in the world, and 36 time world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck from Andorra, always good for some first places at his home spot.

This event will also see the return of Bjorns biggest opponent from former years: Anders Bringdal from Sweden announced his comeback to the international speed scene, and with Pascal Maka joining the F2 International Speedteam there might be another surprise coming up.

The ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix is sanctioned by ISWC (International Speed Windsurfing Class) on behalf of ISAF (International Sailing Federation). The organization will be done by the Pro Center Rene Egli in cooperation with the International Speedsurfing Association.

ISWC Background

The International Speed Windsurfing Class is the successor to the International Speedsurfing Association, which was administering the discipline of speed windsurfing in the last three years on behalf of IFCA.

Effective May 2007, the ISWC has become an ISAF international class, and thus is entitled to control all aspects of the sport and award the official world champion titles in the discipline of speed windsurfing.

The ISWC is a riders association, which means that the riders itself control the development of the sport.  Beside the organizing people behind the scene, the executive committee is thus completed with the riders elected representatives. Its current and past members are the “crème de la crème” of Speedsurfing worldwide.

Elected chairman of the board is Peter Davis from Great Britain, enthusiastic rider and organizer of the famous Weymouth Speedweek. Executive Secretary Markus Schwendtner from Germany already controlled the speed discipline business as ISA Tour Manager, and will continue this successful task for the ISWC now.

The ISWC events go from exceptional action in Namibia to more cosmopolitan spots such as Fuerteventura – the historical European Speedsurfing Capital, to huge shows of extreme conditions on small islands like Karpathos. In all, there are 200 to 300 members of the association at the same time, from places like Australia or Brasil, to Germany or Norway.

The Tour has to offer: dynamic, thrilling action, and bring the most visually dynamic aquatic sports to the audience, making it a perfect vehicle to locate sponsors logos; a sport that is set outdoors, healthy and environmental friendly.

Superb action on the water, combined with an interactive and exciting life experience, that creates an atmosphere where the fans and the media are face to face with the most radical and intense competition and the biggest personalities of the sport.
Besides being a sport of radical action, Windsurfing is a way of life. This type of life is formed by several elements to which many aspire, but that few can really achieve. Most of, if not all of these aspects of the sport are represented in the Speedsurfing Grand Prix Tour.

The ISWC is entitled to hold World, Continental and National Championships and is always looking for partners, local organizers as well as national associations, to propagate this exciting and thrilling discipline all over the world.

Local Organizer

World Cup initiator and organizer René Egli has just been awarded the Medal of Honor by Spanish government to thank him for the consecutive build up of the windsurfing & kiteboarding infrastructure on the island of Fuerteventura.

The medal was awarded as well for bringing the World Cup to the island year after year.

In 2006 the Fuerteventura World Cup was broadcasted worldwide and achieved more than 590 Million TV spectators.

René Egli: “I am very happy that as a result of our continuous hard work plus the dedication and support from the Town Hall of Pájara and the Spanish government, the Windsurfing and Kiteboarding World Cup has grown beyond all belief, and the future for it looks very bright!”

For the first time there will be a 5000m² tent area that will be divided into a 2000m² equipment storage tent, a 1000m² lounge, press & office tent plus a 2000m² party tent.

To ensure everybody can treat themselves in style, the by now legendary party tent will once again attract thousands of tourists and islanders to party the night away.

All competitors will join the big parties of the opening and prize giving ceremonies. Don’t miss it!

The lounge area in the press and office tent, will be the ‘in’ place to chill and shop during daytime.

Besides cool drinks and nice music a Fuerte Action Shop offers the stylish official World Cup Sports Wear.

The Venue

Sotavento Beach Spot Description
Wind: in average 6-9 beaufort, side offshore
Beach: sand

Sotavento Beach is one of the historical spots of Speed Windsurfing, and has seen many competitions and records broken in the past decades.
The course on the mile-long beach is one of the most technical on the tour, varying from flat water to 2 metre waves.

Local Information

Pro Center I is located directly in the Sotavento Wind Funnel. Strong and constant wind, with water conditions from flat up to six foot waves are the features of this World Cup spot.

These top spot features make Pro Center I the perfect spot for freestyler, speed, slalom and kite. It doesn’t matter what the conditions are, they always have the perfect combination of boards and rigs as well as kiteboards and kites at your disposal.

Mother nature has provided a beautiful white sand beach with crystal-clear turquoise water for miles around the center. At Pro Center I there is also a beach bar in the palm garden. The kite center is located at Pro Center I.
The popular Hotel Sol Gorriones is just 200 yards from the center.

Official Schedule

All times subject to be changed on short notice due to weather conditions.

July 27th
15:00 – 17:00 Registration
21:00 Opening Ceremony

July 28th
10:00 Skippersmeeting
11:00 First possible Start

July 29th
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start

July 30th
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start

July 31st
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start

August 1st
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start

August 2nd
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start

August 3rd
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start

August 4th
10:00 Skippersmeeting
10:30 First possible Start
16:00 Last possible Start
21:00 Closing Ceremony and Party