3 questions to Matteo Iachino

09/12/2022

In the final in Japan, Italian Matteo Iachino was tied on points with Maciek Rutkowski, but in the end had to settle for the title of PWA 2022 slalom runner-up. Speaking to Windsurfjournal.com, he looks back on this event and his trip in New Caledonia for the Defi Wind Pacific Ocean 2023.

Windsurfjournal.com: We can see that you were very disappointed in the final in Japan... How do you feel about this runner-up title a few weeks later?
Matteo Iachino: I feel good for sure. I am still disappointed, as it is normal to be after losing so close to the win. But the holiday in New Caledonia after the defi wind scout event has helped a lot I have to say. I have the same points and I have been there fighting for the world title on fin, on foil and in this mixed format since 2015, so I can’t really be sad.

WJ: What lessons do you draw from this and what does this mixed wing/wing race format, which is sometimes criticized, inspire you to do?
MI: I will work even harder and hopefully next year with more events in we can push even more and show or skills properly. The format is ofter criticized, yes. I do like fin better still nowadays but I have to say foil help us compete a lot more. Every day we compete, there is hardly a day out of the water and this is good for us athletes, for the event organizer, for the sponsors and therefore for the sport too. Having the fin in for high winds as it looks like for 2023 will be the right choice to have a lot of competition, some really fun eliminations on fin and a world champion that is complete and competitive in all kind of conditions.

WJ: In the wake of this, you left for New Caledonia for the next Defi Wind Pacific Ocean, can you tell us about it?
MI: I went to Nouméa for a Defi Wind scout event for a Pacific Ocean Defi Wind 2023. It will be an amazing event. Something really new and original in a paradise for windsurfing and watersports in general. The New Caledonian lagoon is huge and windy, and we can use it as a platform to showcase some new formats of racing on long distances using the reef and the thousands of little islands that surround the West Coast.