The Triple Crown of Gruissan: Kite, Wing, and Windsurfing’s Greatest Challenge

The Defi Wind, Wing and Kite 2026 festival took place in Gruissan, France this past weekend. The event celebrated its 24th anniversary by bringing together 2250 riders to 10.000 m2 festival with 62 brands from 40 countries and 5 continents for high-intensity, mass-start long-distance racing.

One of the most iconic aspects of all three events is the Rabbit Start. Instead of a stationary line, a speed boat (the “Rabbit”) screams across the water at 30+ knots. Competitors must cross behind the boat’s wake to begin the race, creating a spectacular wall of spray as 1,000+ athletes accelerate simultaneously.

Event Overview & Disciplines

The festival is divided into three distinct events, often held across a single week to take advantage of the fierce Mediterranean winds.

The Defi Wind 2026 (the 24th edition) is being hailed as one of the most extreme in the event’s history. According to the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) report, the legendary Tramontane wind showed no mercy, with opening races starting in ferocious gusts of up to 58 knots.

The event featured 1,500 participants and focused on a 40km long-distance course that tested the grit of both the world’s elite pros and a massive fleet of amateurs.

🏆 Official Windsurfing Results (Defi Wind)

The 2026 results were split into two primary categories: Fin (traditional) and Unlimited (allowing for Foils).

Fin Category

In the heavy 35–58 knot winds, the “fin addicts” had a resurgence, delivering epic battles.

• Men’s Winner: Nico Prien (GER). Despite Matteo Iachino (ITA) being the most consistent with three 2nd-place finishes, Prien’s two race wins secured him the overall title.
• Women’s Winner: Jenna Gibson (GBR). Gibson was untouchable, winning every single race in the series to dominate the category.
• Top 3 Men: 1. Nico Prien, 2. Matteo Iachino, 3. Pierre Mortefon.
• Top 3 Women: 1. Jenna Gibson, 2. Mae Davico, 3. Femke Van Der Veen.

Unlimited Category (Foil/Fin Choice)

This category allowed riders to switch gear based on the conditions.

• Men’s Winner: Amado Vrieswijk (NB). He showed “no fear,” opting for a foil even in 40+ knot storms, winning 4 out of 5 races.
• Women’s Winner: Justine Lemeteyer (FRA). The 2025 World Champion used a mix of fin and foil to secure her childhood dream of a Defi victory.

The Defi Wing and Defi Kite events serve as the high-octane precursors to the main windsurfing event in Gruissan. In 2026, both disciplines faced massive Tramontane winds that tested even the most elite riders.

Visit official results page for more information.

🏆 Official Windsurfing Results (Defi Wing)

The 5th edition of the Defi Wing (May 11–13) was a historic one for the Spanu family, who dominated the podiums. Around 600 wingfoilers took to the water in conditions that varied from technical light winds to heavy gusts.

Official Results

• The Spanu Sweep: Siblings Nicolò and Maddalena Spanu took home the gold in their respective categories. Maddalena’s victory was particularly impressive, as she finished 50th overall in the entire mixed fleet of nearly 600 riders.
• The Challenge: Maddalena secured her win with a consistent performance across the series (2-1-2-3), proving that control in Gruissan’s choppy waters is just as important as top-end speed.

Visit official results page for more information.

🏆 Official Kite Results (Defi Kite)

The 2026 edition marked the 13th edition of the Défi Kite. It has evolved from a niche race into a major cultural gathering for the kitesurfing community, often referred to as the “Woodstock of the Sea” due to the village atmosphere, brand exhibitions, and nightly concerts. The 13th edition of the Defi Kite (May 8–10) kicked off the festival with roughly 400 kiters from 30 different countries.

Event Highlights

• Conditions: The event started with a classic Gruissan “endurance test.” While the wind was strong enough for blistering speeds, it remained steady enough for the top foil-kiters to push the limits of the 40km course.
• Course Logistics: Riders navigated the “Plage des Chalets” course, which involves long tacks parallel to the beach. The proximity to the shore allows for flat water, but the sheer number of kites in the air during the mass start creates a “forest of lines” that requires elite tactical awareness.
• Results Note: While the 2026 elite podium was dominated by foil-specialists, the event is famous for its “Open” nature, where riders on standard tube kites (LEIs) compete alongside hydrofoils.

Men’s Overall Results

The men’s field was dominated by a mix of specialized foil racers and “all-arounders” who braved the 40km course.

• Highlight: Axel Mazella reclaimed his throne with surgical precision, navigating the choppy Gruissan waters at speeds consistently exceeding 35 knots.

Women’s Overall Results

The women’s fleet saw a fierce battle, particularly in the Foil category, which dominated the overall “Scratch” rankings.

Visit official results page for more information.