The 2024 IFCA Slalom Foil World Championship commenced with great enthusiasm and participation. Hosted in the picturesque setting of Sankt Peter-Ording, this event has attracted a diverse age group group of competitors and supporters, marking the beginning of a great championship.
Today, the Official Opening Ceremony was held at the event village on the stunning Ordinge Beach of Sankt Peter-Ording. The ceremony featured inspiring speeches from several notable figures: Matthias Regber, CEO of Choppy Water gmbh, opened the ceremony with a welcoming speech.
Ruben Petrisie, President of the IFCA Class, addressed the participants and audience, highlighting the significance of the event. Katharina Schrimbeck, Director of the local Tourism Board, emphasized the importance of such events in promoting tourism and local culture to a wider international audience. Following the speeches, a presentation of nations took place, celebrating the diverse representation of competitors from around the world.
Shortly after the opening ceremony, the first skippers meeting was held. This meeting was crucial for briefing the competitors on the rules, regulations, and schedule for the races. With covered skies and a favorable forecast predicting essential conditions for slalom foil racing, the excitement among competitors was palpable as they prepared for the initial elimination rounds. The results of the first elimination round, will set the tone for this championship. The first racing day here in Sankt Peter-Ording saw two eliminations completed with great battles all the way to the finals. Some athletes used the waves to their advantage, and in the end, it was all about equipment choices. The sun was out, the beach was full, and the organization ensured the perfect race course and management. The first win of the day went to Michele Becker, the 2023 IFCA Slalom Foil European Champion, followed by Fabian Wolf from Germany and the French Alexis Mathis. These three athletes also made it to the bonus podium of The Grand Prix of LVM insurance, which provided a special prize money for the top racers of the first elimination of the event.
After a short break, the second elimination began, with the Bonairian Amado Vrieswijk emerging victorious, recovering from earlier mistakes made in the previous elimination.
Social Events: In addition to the racing activities, the event promises engaging social events. Later today, the After Surf Meet and Greet party will provide an opportunity for participants and fans to mingle with the stars of the sport, fostering a sense of community and fellowship among attendees. The event’s opening day was fantastic, with great races and enthusiastic spectators. The event village was packed with holiday-goers visiting the van life expo and enjoying the many additional attractions and food stands.
The top 5 after the first racing days are as follow
1 AMADO VRIESWIJK NED-2020
2 FABIAN WOLF GER-404
3 MICHELE BECKER GER-277
4 ALEXIS MATHIS FRA-997
5 DANNI JAKOBSEN DEN-64
Daily Videos + Daily Images + Micro Updates will be all available on our social media channels INSTA & FACEBOOK and the dedicated event page HERE
