A great windsurfing festival

10/05/2024

The 22nd edition of the Défi Wind got underway on Thursday 9 May with all the vigour that windsurfing enthusiasts expect every year. With the Tramontane uncertain for the next few days, 1,500 enthusiasts gathered to make this a historic event in Gruissan.

Gruissan, the birthplace of this emblematic event, welcomed a record crowd of 1,500 windsurfers this year, a living testimony to the unfailing commitment of the windsurfing community to this annual rendezvous. Despite the vagaries of the weather and a few cancellations, the passion remains intact, ready to embrace any challenge. At the end of the day on Wednesday, the lucky ones, and those who had been present for several days now, had the chance to take part in a ‘pirate’ race, an unofficial round of the Défi Wind. Philippe Bru's avowed aim was to take advantage of the Tramontane wind, which was still present, and get at least one start with the hare boat.
With no real hope of launching a race on Thursday, the 1st official day is stretched out between reunions, entertainment and the brand village, with the sole aim of sharing his love for this sport and writing together a new page in the history of the Défi Wind.

The day culminated in the induction ceremony into the prestigious Windsurfing Hall of Fame. To rapturous applause, legends such as Nancy Johnson, Andrea Livingstone, Willem Blaauw, Brian Talma, Nevin Sayre, Bruce Wylie, Monty Spindler, Peter Thommen, Ken Winner, Peter Cabrinha, not forgetting Björn Dunkerbeck and Antoine Albeau, were honoured for their unrivalled achievements in the world of windsurfing. In a resolutely festive atmosphere, and with a wild Brian Talma, the Windsurfing Hall of Fame becomes the sanctuary where the legends find their rightful place, honoured for their exploits and their indelible contribution to the evolution of this extraordinary sport.
The Défi Wind continues on Friday in Gruissan, with little chance of launching an official race, but in an atmosphere as beautiful and friendly as ever!

 

Source: Défi Wind
Photos: Défi Wind/Jean-Marc Cornu - Jean Souville/Défi Wind

tags: Défi Wind Gruissan

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