The third day of the 38th Windsurfing World Championship in Fuerteventura, held at Sotavento, leaves the women's standings on fire with just 0.3 points separating the top three. In the men's category, Matteo Iachino consolidates his lead with two victories in the afternoon.
The third day of the 38th Windsurfing World Championship in Fuerteventura, celebrated this Friday at Sotavento beach, has left the women's standings on fire. Only 0.3 points separate British Jenna Gibson, French Justine Lemeteyer, and Dutch Femke van der Veen, who have alternated in the top positions throughout the day. Spanish Blanca Alabau, on the other hand, adds a fourth and a third place that keeps her in the fight.
The day began at 11:30 with extreme wind conditions. Official tracking recorded gusts of up to 50 knots during the morning, causing numerous falls and position changes at the last buoys. The course of the first block did not include the 'sausage' jump, but the strength of the wind and the state of the water complicated navigation.
In the final tenth race, Justine Lemeteyer prevailed after opening a wide lead, although she fell at the last buoy and had to recover to maintain first place. Femke van der Veen was second and Mae Davico third. Jenna Gibson suffered a fall caused by a strong gust and lost her chances of finishing among the top. After this race, Lemeteyer temporarily took the lead in the women's standings for the first time during the week.
In the afternoon, in the eleventh elimination in Full Fleet format, the race was marked by falls and changes in leadership. Justine Lemeteyer managed to lead the heat but suffered a catapult. Jenna Gibson then regained first position and secured victory at the last buoy. Femke van der Veen was second and Blanca Alabau completed the top three positions.
In the men's category, Italian Matteo Iachino responded to the morning victory of Polish Maciek Rutkowski with two consecutive wins in the afternoon's Full Fleet races. Iachino clearly won the sixth elimination, extending his lead over Rutkowski, who finished second, while Bruno Martini took third place. In the seventh and final race of the day, Iachino repeated his victory after initially following Pierre Macquaert, taking the lead and distancing himself from the fleet.
Maciek Rutkowski had claimed the fifth men's elimination, his first victory of the week, after taking the lead from the first buoy and maintaining the position against Iachino. Elton 'Taty' Frans finished third and Pierre Mortefon fourth. The elimination left several incidents: Nico Prien, third overall at the start of the day, fell at the third buoy of his quarter-final and was eliminated; Jordy Vonk also lost a qualification that seemed secured after going into the water on the last manoeuvre; and Tristan Algret suffered a heavy fall before the finish.
The two afternoon victories allowed Iachino to reinforce his lead after finishing the morning in second place. With the seventh elimination, the second discard in the men's standings came into play.
The competition will resume this Saturday at Sotavento, expected to start at 11:00, with new Slalom X races. The weather forecast indicates winds between 20 and 30 knots, which could keep the excitement high in both the women's and men's categories. Canarian fans will be able to follow the event live on the official championship website.
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