The European Freestyle Pro Tour (EFPT) opens this year its season in La Franqui, Leucate, France. From the 16th until the 18th of April, which is the second weekend of the “Mondial du Vent”, a 8 days lasting sport event, the EFPT freestylers fight vor the title of the first EFPT tourstop.


Organised by the French Windsurfing legend Pascal Maka the pre-registration list of the event showed on one hand the best sailors in the 2009 EFPT overall ranking and on the other hand a lot of new faces. Registration started at 4pm and felt like a homecoming after the winter season.



Everybody had some stories about the training conditions, trips and new tricks. As the event takes place at one of the best windsurfspots in France a lot of French Riders lead by Nicolas Akgazciyan (Starboard/Gun Sails) and PWA wave rider Thomas Traversa (Tabou/Gaastra). New kids like Loick Spicher from Switzerland (JP/Neilpryde), Jeremy Amsellem (Fanatic/North Sails) or Mathias Genkel (RRD boards/RRD sails) will fight for a place in the top 10.


The favourite for the 5.000€ price money event is of course the Belgium dominator from ´09 Steven van Broeckhoven (F2/Gaastra). After his unbelievable success last year he is still a very down to earth guy and now of course a self confident guy. For sure he is conscious about his strong competitors and friends like Davy Scheffers (Tabou/Gaastra), Yarden Meir (Fanatic/Simmer Style) and Dieter van der Eyken (Starboard/Severne). All of them and many more will make it very hard for the champion to repeat his last year victory.


Today the skippersmeeting took place at 9 am with a first possible start at 10 am. The windforecast does not look too promising, but let´s see.

© Text: EFPT, Continentseven





Many specators at the Mondial du vent - Pic: EFPT








Judgetower is ready - Pic: EFPT


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