La Défi is an extraordinary event that enchants all water sports enthusiasts, an experience that every sea lover should have at least once in their life. Initially dedicated to windsurfing, this regatta has expanded to include new classes, but has maintained its classic long-distance windward-leeward format, above all preserving the passion for the wind.
La Défi takes place in the suggestive town of Gruissan, where the powerful Tramontana wind blows from the ground and the long beach creates the perfect playground for the wing. As anticipated, the Tramontana is the true protagonist of the event, an element to be admired but which should not be underestimated, since its conditions can prove extremely prohibitive.
Here is my experience at Défi Wing.
Coming from a previous windsurf foil experience and with a few months of wingfoil practice, I decided to participate this year in the biggest wingfoil regatta in the world. Already weeks before the event, I realized one thing: this is not just any regatta. It's not just about competing with your opponents, but you also have to face a test of mental endurance.
As soon as I arrived at the regatta location, I was welcomed into an atmosphere that went beyond the event itself. I found myself immersed in a real festival of the sea, with the various brands presenting their products as in a showroom, the kiosks offering refreshments to the spectators, while the athletes sharpened their "weapons" before the regatta, all accompanied by music playing incessantly, 24/7.
Day 0: Training: I went out on the water to familiarize myself with the spot, enjoying calm waters and a strong and constant wind of around 25 knots.
Day 1: The regatta begins: from the early hours of dawn, the Tramontana begins to blow intensely. The first race of the day is scheduled around noon and, during the skipper meeting, a 1-hour countdown is given for departure. We get ready, mount the 3.0 and go into the water. The wind increases due to the thermal effect of the sun and the gusts slightly exceed 40 knots. At the end of the countdown, it's time to go. The format involves a start with a dinghy opening the line from leeward, followed by a course made up of 4 sideways edges, each 5 kilometers long.
After completing the first test, we returned to shore awaiting the next meeting. Unfortunately, the wind picked up further, reaching a top speed of 50 knots, and it was decided to end the day.
Day 2: Nothing done due to the strong Tramontana blowing in the gulf (gust at 53kn)
Day 3: The wind drops just enough to be able to race, with gusts up to 42kn we bring home two races with the same format as the first day and an additional race consisting of two edges of 10km each. The regatta thus concludes, a beautiful event characterized by demanding conditions that put the body and mind to the test.
I was particularly impressed by this event, a highly trained staff ready to give their best and world-renowned athletes made the experience unforgettable, racing in a 300 wing fleet is not something that happens every day.
PROtagonist: Zeno Tarlao
Photo storm: Marco Tarlao
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