Defi Wind 2026 once again delivered an unforgettable edition with over 1,400 riders lining up on the beach of Gruissan, ready to take on one of the biggest long-distance windsurfing races in the world. With strong competition, tactical racing and long runs across the Mediterranean, the event once again proved why it remains a highlight of the season.

A huge congratulations go to Matteo Iachino, who secured an impressive 2nd place overall, showing incredible speed and consistency throughout the event against a stacked fleet of riders.

“The conditions were proper Defi — winds from 18 up to almost 38 knots and five long-distance races over 40 km. I was able to push through all five races which I’m really happy about. The starts are super technical, you need to get away clean and then stay focused and keep pushing the entire distance without losing energy. The level was incredibly high and finishing only 0.6 points from the win shows how close it was.” — Matteo Iachino

The next generation also delivered outstanding results. The De Jong sisters dominated the U17 Girls category, taking all three podium positions and underlining the depth of young talent within the Starboard team.

Away from the racecourse, the Starboard booth stayed busy throughout the event, welcoming visitors, riders and fans. Shaper Rémi Vila spent time sharing insights, setup advice and product knowledge, helping riders better understand board choices, tuning and performance for long-distance racing.

Another Defi Wind is in the books — packed with speed, podium finishes and countless conversations around equipment, performance and the passion that keeps the event growing every year.