EURO-CUP MONDIAL DU VENT 2007

Kiel, February 8th 2007

Press Release:

The Euro-Cup 2007 kicks off at the MONDIAL DU VENT in France

+++ Kiel / Leucate, February 8th 2007.

The kick off event of the Windsurfing Euro-Cup 2007 will again take place in Leucate in the South of France from April 5th to 11th. 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 not the only 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 2007 for which the competitors can score the first points in Leucate. The experienced organization team of the MONDIAL DU VENT who have already organized several other international events will ensure a perfect event. "For the second year it is a great pleasure for us to organize a Slalom Euro-Cup here in Leucate La Franqui. The city hopes to see you here on our perfect slalom beach location with good wind” states Pascal Maka, the head of the organization team of the MONDIAL DU VENT.

“The premier last year was a complete success and brought thrilling slalom action for the competitors with up to 40 knots of wind. We are happy to have the MONDIAL DU VENT as a reliable partner to finally provide a Euro-Cup 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.” adds 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 Corbières".

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 again. Last year the IFCA European Slalom Champion 2006 Antoine Albeau (FRA-192, Starboard, Neilpryde) has been able to dominate in his home waters in front of the Speed World Record holder Finian Maynard (KV-11, F2, Neil Pryde) from the British Virgin Islands. But there are several opponents who will challenge the two: For example Steve Allen (AUS-0, Tabou, Gaastra) from Australia, the current Formula Windsurfing World Champion or Ross Williams (GBR-83, Tabou, Gaastra) from Great Britain, the current Formula Windsurfing European Champion. Everybody awaits the return of the Polish Windsurfing dominator Wojtek Brzozowski (POL-10, Starboard, Severne) to the competition scene after his injury last year. Other hot shots are the IFCA European Slalom Vice Champion 2005 Ben van der Steen (NED-57, Exocet, Neil Pryde), Arnon Dagan (ISR-1, Fanatic, Neil Pryde) from Israel and Gonzalo Costa Hoevel (ARG-3, F2, Neil Pryde) from Argentina. Last year even the windsurfing legends Robby Naish (USA) and Björn Dunkerbeck (ESP) came to the Mondial du Vent.

But the international top racers will face a tough competition from the French national heroes. They are awaited by French hotshots like Cyril Moussilmani (FRA-72, Fanatic, Simmer) and the Formula Windsurfing Youth World Champion 2005 Julien Quentel (FRA-421, Starboard, Neil Pryde).

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 5th to 11th 2007!