A record breaking event for the International Funboard Class Association at the Waterz 2018 IFCA Slalom World Championship for Men & Women which took place from the 9th through the 14th of September in Hvide Sande, Denmark.[more]

Britain’s Jenna Gibson who quoted “It’s been fun and let’s see how the rest of the week goes”  and Croatia’s Enrico Marotti who quoted “the plan is to continue this way with positive energy as we have 4 more days to go” kept their game plan from the very first day and, most of all, the fun of competing in the funboard discipline of slalom racing. 
On the evening of the last competition day both sailors were officially crowned as the 2018 Slalom World Champions after 5 competition days in very challenging sailing conditions. No board or sail size left untouched, as winds varied from light-medium to strong and brought rough sailing conditions during the second competition day. Most competitors have claimed to never have sailed so many heats at one single event during their entire 2018 season.
During the few last competition days there was still uncertainty for podium positions in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions thus high tension until final races during this championship. Fulya Unlu from Turkey earned a well deserved Vice World Champion title in the women division while the battles for 3rd were exciting between top competitors; Maja Dziarnowska, Andrea Vanhoorne and Sarah Jackson who all aimed for a podium position. It was Marianne Rautelin from Finland who managed to stay focused until the end, with a more consistent performance scoring better points by never failing to qualify for the A finals.
In the Men’s division we saw Maciek Rutkowski from Poland who earlier quoted “For tomorrow I just want to continue doing what I have been doing, I know that I have what it takes and will focus stronger on my starts. Once you’re clear ahead, it should be all good. If I manage to perform well, it would be great and if not – it is what it is.”at the end managed to claim the Vice World Champion status to his name. 
Elsewhere the 2 strong Germans racers Gunnar Asmussen a.k.a “The Machine” and Nicolas Prien also managed to perform on top level, fighting out with some of the best windsurfers from around the world. Both dropped out of the potential podium position with the emerging talented Danish Local star Sebastian Kornum smoothly claiming the third podium slot on the last competition day with only 1 point away from Gunnar.
This Championship event goes in to the IFCA books as one with the most races done on a single event. The set up and organization was great, the Waterz crew offered their uttermost expertise on and off the water and with Thijs van der Meer as the Principal race officer it all came down to one successful accomplished Championship event on the waters of the Ringkøbing Fjord . IFCA thanks the organizers of the Waterz Festival and their sponsors involved for an action packed week of pure windsurfing madness.
2018 Waterz IFCA Slalom Worlds Women’s Podium:
JENNA GIBSON | GBR-96 / 2018 Slalom Female World Champion
2 FULYA UNLU | TUR-165
3 MARIANNE RAUTELIN | FIN-13
Best Youth SARAH JACKSON | GBR-71
2 BRIGITA VIILOP | EST- 217
3 NAZLI DENIZ URENLI | TUR- 773

2018 Waterz IFCA Slalom Worlds Men’s Podium:
ENRICO MAROTTI | CRO-401 / 2018 Slalom World Champion
2 MACIEK RUTKOWSKI | POL-23
3 GUNNAR ASMUSSEN | GER-23
Best Youth MARTIN HOVDA | NOR- 41
2 DAMIEN ARNOUX | FRA- 848
3 ARON ETMON | CUR-2
Best Masters GUNNAR ASMUSSEN | GER-23
2 WOJTEK BRZOZOWSKI POL-10
3 ANDERS BOJE DEN- 135
Best Grand Masters OLIVER SCHOTT GER-26
2 CHRISTIAN RECKE GER- 556
3 P VIKTOR SCHMIDT DEN-66