Défi Wind 2026
Victory for Nico Prien
The Défi Wind is the world’s largest long-distance windsurfing race, held annually in southern France near the port town of Gruissan on the Mediterranean Sea. More than 1,300 windsurfers competed this year, tackling the approximately 40-kilometer course in a total of five heats amid strong winds.
Nico Prien: “Compared to our World Cup races, the Défi Wind is a special challenge because it’s almost forty kilometers long. That’s over thirty minutes at full throttle. In the World Cup, it’s a maximum of three to four minutes. That means it puts a very special strain on the body.”
Just like in a running marathon, the pros and amateurs start together in this windsurfing regatta. The sheer number of windsurfers makes the sea extremely choppy. The course is challenging.
Nico Prien: “It’s obviously not that easy out here on the course because all the sails naturally create turbulence. That means it’s not exactly easy to get away at the start. Once you’ve managed to break free, though, you’ve basically won the race, but all the people around you naturally give the whole thing a special atmosphere.”
Also competing were reigning PWA Slalom-X World Champion Pierre Mortefon from France and World Championship runner-up Matteo Iachino from Italy. In the end, however, it was someone else who celebrated the victory. Nico Prien from Germany crossed the finish line ahead of Iachino and Mortefon.
Nico Prien: “To be heading home as the winner now is, of course, very special. I came here expecting to finish in the top five. After the first race, after the first day, it became clear that victory was actually within reach. So I took on the challenge and, yes, I brought it home.”
The complete results list can be viewed here:
https://my.raceresult.com/389504/
May 18, 2026 © DAILY DOSE | Text: Christian Tillmanns | Fotos/Grafiken: Défi Wind / McHugh, Jean Marc Cornu | translation: DE
