✪ IFCA CLASS PRESIDENTIAL NOTE
The IFCA Class looks back at another successful season, with a total participation of over 500 competitors in 7 Slalom Championships – 1 World, the Foil Worlds premiere, and the return of a Wave Europeans – including continentals, ABC Tour and South Americans, and 4 freestyle tour stops managed by the European Freestyle Pro Tour.
In the Spring of 2019, the season kicked off with the newly created concept of the IFCA ABC Tour a Dutch Caribbean island tour between Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire where young windsurfers came together to practice, learn and compete on their version of a mini-tour. The Dutch Caribbean Champions receive collaborative arrangements from their sailing clubs and the class to support their invitational appearance on the Youth Slalom Worlds. > page ☍
Freestyle was next at the first stop of the European Freestyle Pro Tour in las Dunas Costa Brava Spain from 20 to 26 of May. Organized by Fase Wind and supported by Camping las Dunas. . > page ☍
The second stop was short after – 30 May to 2nd of June – in Spiaggia Lunga Village, Vieste, Italy. A new venue appearance on the European Freestyle Pro Tour calendar. > page ☍
SUMMERTIME:
This year the IFCA Slalom World Championships was the sportive highlight of the Multivan Summer Opening on Sylt. The major class slalom World Championship took place in Westerland/Sylt (Germany) from June 3rd to 10th.
“An event that had it all and yet succeeded with 5 eliminations throughout a mixture of 7 competition days, from strong and wavy, medium and choppy to light and smooth sailing conditions. IFCA thanks Choppy Water GmbH, Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge all other sponsors involved and the entire crew at the Multivan Windsurf Cup including Nicole Riederer and Nationaldesign.de”
Another high light event for the Class was the Youth & Women Slalom Worlds held from 24 to 29 of June in La Tranche Sur Mer, on the French West coast. With only 1 heat sailed, several others canceled due to the lag of suitable wind and a very effective “heatwave” that was hitting Europe. The Championship event came to an end after 5 wonderful days and yet sadly receives the non-valid championship status. No Slalom Youth nor Women World Champion has been crowned.
“Even with a little bit of action on the water, we had a great time and it was all good vibes here on the beach in La Tranche Sur Mer, despite the unfortunate weather forecasts all the competitors kept a positive attitude and made the best out of their day to day activities. I was pleased to have experience how calm in fellowship and positive they all stood by during the intense hot week here in France.
This championship also produced a new record for female participation numbers in the slalom windsurfing discipline, we had a total of 143 competitors of which 45 Females and that is a number the Class can be proud of.”
From 3 to 6 June Freestyle windsurfers traveled to the Canary island Lanzarote for their 3 stop of the tour which was held in Costa Teguise. Organized by Teguise Water Sports Association. . > page ☍
PAROS IS BACK:
Another summer high light for the class was the “DOLE” IFCA Men & Women Slalom Europeans held from 8 to13 July in Pounda, Paros, Greece. The conditions in Paros were some of the best this season with high speed downwind slalom racing with an amazing set up, all with thanks to the Hellenic Speed Slalom Windsurfing Association, the Paros Kite Center and the great crew.
“This championship became the perfect summer event that also gives competitors the possibilities to enjoy some cultural sightseeing, traditional dining and the experience of a summer night out in Paros, Greece.”
From Summer Vibes to up in the Alps of St Moritz on Lake Silvaplana Switzerland for the Class premiere of an IFCA Foiling World Championship in one of the most outstanding windsurfing location, located at a height of nearly 1800meters. The event was held from 21 to 25 August at the Vanora Engadinwind by Dakine.
“ The Engadinwind has turned into a true world-class foiling venue sub titled – Foil Mania -, almost everything was about foiling, the races were challenging and exciting to the very last day. The generated media was pretty splendid and unique. Not to forget to mention – the Tv broadcastings during prime time on several National and European news channels ”
From 1 to 6 of September Slalom racing was back on the calendar for the Junior, Youth and Masters European Championships in Cesme, at the Alacati Wind Fest in Alacati, Turkey at the Cagla Kubat Windsurfing Academy.
“Alacati is known as a popular windsurfing destination and has been hosting numerous slalom championship in recent years. With the return of the IFCA Championship, it was, mind-blowing to have seen such a great number of participants including all the young local windsurfers. This indicates that windsurfing is well alive in Turkey, thanks to the youth program currently running at the Cagla Kubat Windsurfing Academy. The conditions were just suitable enough to accomplish the races and the European champions could be crowned on the last day of the event.”
THE RETURN OF THE WAVE IN 2019:
Its been a while since the Class hosted a Wave event. This season with thanks to Friends of Cold Hawaii the European Wave Championship was back on the international calendar. Thisted Kommune, Sparekassen Thy & Friends of Cold Hawaii presented the “Cold Hawaii Games” and the Wave Championship was part of the scheduled event. ( another 2019 high light for the Class )
“Double eliminations were completed for all divisions on the fourth competition day in medium to strong winds with waves from 1.7 to 2 meters of height. Thanks to the mobile possibilities during the entire event, we were able to move locations. 2 spots were sailed Middles Hanstholm and the Fish Factory – where the organization was able to provide the perfect set up for the judges with all the necessary facilities. After the windy days, a few relaxing days were spent and competitors could enjoy the atmosphere and the scenery of Cold Hawaii.”
FREESTYLE FINALS IN THE NETHERLANDS:
The European Freestyle Pro Tour Final stop was once again held at the DamX event in Holland. A board sport event at the Zeil & Surfcentrum Brouwersdam with a tightly scheduled program. The freestyle windsurfers competed for their final points of the overall European Freestyle rankings. page ☍
SOUTH AMERICANS:
The final Class event of 2019 was the South American Continental Slalom Championship by ISSO Wind Xtreme in Palhoca, Santa Catarina, Papagaio beach, Brazil from 31 October to 3 November.
“Closing the season in a tropical vibe with good winds and a lot of action, crashes, a few broken gears, but at the end of the day, it was an amazing event with an amazing crew.”
Thanks to all the organizing authorities for trusting in the International Funboard Class Association. 2019 brought new venues, new athletes , new champions and new experiences. It has been a true pleasure.
IFCA will continue to keep:
– the fun in Funboarding.
– Organising in conjunction with the IWA, World and Continental – Championships.
– Encouraging international competition in series production boards.
Another high light worth mentioning is the announcement During the World Sailing Conference. World Sailing’s Council granted the IFCA Youth Class with World Sailing Class Association status.
It seems that Christmas time is here once again, and it is time again to bring in the New Year. We wish the merriest of Christmas to you and your loved ones, and we wish you happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.
IFCA Class President Ruben Petrisie
