Press Release:

The Euro-Cup 2006 kicks off in France at the MONDIAL DU VENT

+++ Kiel / Leucate, February 7th 2006.

The kick off event of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup 2006 takes place in Leucate in the South of France from April 22nd to 27th. The famous MONDIAL DU VENT invites the best windsurfers of the World for the first benchmark of the season in slalom competition and offers a total of 15.000,00 EUR prize money. But the money and the trophies are only one motivation for top racers. For most of them, the honour to win a Windsurfing Euro-Cup and the points for the Windsurfing Euro-Cup ranking list are the key factors, as the Windsurfing Euro-Cup is the most important Racing and Slalom series in the World. Even more important the Windsurfing Euro-Cup is the official series leading to the IFCA European Slalom Championship title 2006 for which the competitors can score the first points in Leucate.

For the first time ever the Windsurfing Euro-Cup visits France for a tour stop. The experienced organization team of the MONDIAL DU VENT who have already organized several other international events will ensure a perfect event. "We are truly happy and proud to host the kick off event of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup 2006. We will do everything possible to ensure a success of the event and an unforgettable regatta for the competitors.” states Pascal Maka, the head of the organization team of the MONDIAL DU VENT. “There have always been numerous requests for a Euro-Cup in France. We are happy to have the MONDIAL DU VENT as a reliable partner to finally provide an event in one of the most important windsurfing markets. I am convinced that it will be a great event and a perfect kick off for the EC season.” answers Matthias Regber, director of the Windsurfing Office.

Leucate is famous for its perfect conditions for water sports and for the well known Tramontane wind which blows mainly at spring time. The “Plage des Coussoules” on the spot of La Franqui is the perfect place for windurfing and kiting. Off shore winds blow more than 200 days a year. Additionally Leucate offers 80 days of south east cross on shore winds called “Le marin”. Every summer the beaches are crowded with windsurfers and kiters. Various spots offer perfect conditions for people with different skill levels. Originally the city of Leucate was a fishermen city and now still is. But the town has developed windsurfing and kiting activities all year around. Leucate is also a city of oysters with the famous "La Cap Leucate" and a city of wine, you will enjoy "Vin des Corbičres".

The Windsurfing Euro-Cup at the MONDIAL DU VENT will call the best Windsurfers to the South of France. They will present their performance in six action packed days. Slalom (IFCA) is the most dynamic windsurfing discipline at the moment. The MONDIAL DU VENT will present this spectacular format in various forms. From small heats to half fleet or even full fleet racing, from figure eight to downwind and long distance races – Everything is possible at the MONDIAL DU VENT. And the race committee has the task to make the competition as interesting and spectacular as possible for the spectators, media and competitors.

Several international top riders are expected at the MONDIAL DU VENT like the current IFCA Slalom World Champion Micah Buzianis (USA-34, JP, Neil Pryde), the current IFCA European Slalom Champion and Speed World Record holder Finian Maynard (KV-11, F2, Naish Sails) and the IFCA European Slalom Vice Champion Ben van der Steen (NED-57, Exocet, Neil Pryde). Other favourites are the current Formula Windsurfing Vice World Champion Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Neil Pryde), Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) from Israel and Steve Allen (AUS-0, Tabou, Gaastra) from Australia as well as Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG-3, F2, Neil Pryde) from Argentina, Devon Boulon (ISV-1, F2, Windwing) from the Virgin Islands and Ross Williams (GBR-83, Tabou, Gaastra) from Great Britain.

But
the international top racers will face a tough competition from the French national heroes. They are awaited by nobody less the current Formula Windsurfing World Champion Antoine Albeau (FRA-192, Starboard, Neil Pryde) and the Formula Windsurfing Youth World Champion Julien Quentel (FRA-421, Starboard, Neil Pryde). Also hungry for the competition is Cyril Moussilmani as one of the top French windsurfers.

The MONDIAL DU VENT presents not only the Windsurfing Euro-Cup but offers also Kitesurfing, a giant party program, equipment tests etc. The center of the event is the “Village du MONDIAL DU VENT” with activities for children, tents with sales of glasses, clothing, jewellery, etc. and animations like crazy dunkers (basket ball acrobatic) trampolines for kids, climbing wall, inflatable castles, surfing game, etc. food , restaurants, bars, happy hours, dj and much more. So don’t miss the MONDIAL DU VENT from April 21st to 27th 2006!
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The official website of the event is www.mondial-du-vent.com. The official website of the series with more information is www.euro-cup.org. The events are also covered on www.formulawindsurfing.org and www.internationalwindsurfing.com. Besides the reports and the results, you will also find a live ticker on www.euro-cup.org. So check out the internet!