The 2026 PWA Slalom X season delivered a huge result for the Starboard Dream Team, with Matteo Iachino claiming the PWA Slalom X World Championship title, Femke van der Veen securing the Vice World Championship title, and young talent Bobbi-Lynn de Jong finishing an impressive fourth overall.
With the Slalom X World Titles decided at the legendary Fuerteventura World Cup, the riders had to battle through some of the most extreme racing conditions of the season. Strong winds, increasing swell and constantly changing courses pushed the world’s best racers and their equipment to the limit.
For Matteo, the victory marks another incredible milestone in his career as he becomes a 5x World Champion, while Femke celebrates the best Slalom X result of her career.
Matteo Iachino – 2026 PWA Slalom X World Champion
Matteo arrived in Fuerteventura ready to fight for the title and immediately made his intentions clear.
Opening the championship with three consecutive elimination victories, Matteo established himself at the front of the fleet from the very beginning. Combining raw speed with the consistency that has defined so much of his racing career, he built a strong advantage as the conditions became increasingly demanding. Heading into the final day, Matteo remained in control of the championship, but Fuerteventura had one final twist waiting.
Pierre Mortefon mounted a late charge, winning the final two eliminations and taking the World Title battle all the way to the 11th and final elimination.
Both title contenders advanced into the Winners’ Final, setting up one last battle for the World Championship. Mortefon took the elimination victory, but Matteo refused to be drawn into unnecessary risks and crossed the line in second place – enough to secure the 2026 PWA Slalom X World Title.
The victory adds another major achievement to an already outstanding career, making Matteo a 5x World Champion and adding the Slalom X World Championship crown to his collection.
Femke van der Veen – 2026 PWA Slalom X Vice World Champion
In the women’s fleet, Femke van der Veen delivered one of the most consistent performances of the championship to claim second overall and become the 2026 PWA Slalom X Vice World Champion.
The battle at the top remained incredibly close throughout the week. Heading towards the decisive stages of the competition, Jenna Gibson, Femke and Justine Lemeteyer were separated by just fractions of a point, leaving everything open in the fight for the World Title.
As the wind increased and the swell built, simply completing the courses became a serious challenge. Yet Femke continued to deliver consistent results at the front of the fleet.
Justine Lemeteyer ultimately produced an exceptional final-day performance to take the World Title, while Femke secured second overall and the Vice World Championship title, ahead of Jenna Gibson in third.
The result represents another major step forward for Femke and the best Slalom X World Championship result of her career.
But Femke wasn't the only Starboard rider making an impact at the front of the women’s fleet.
At just 16 years old, Bobbi-Lynn de Jong finished an outstanding fourth overall, narrowly missing the World Championship podium. Bobbi-Lynn remained in podium contention until the final day and showed impressive speed throughout the event, including multiple second-place finishes against the world’s best racers.
Finishing fourth in the world at just 16 years old is another huge step for one of the most exciting young talents in windsurf racing – and a sign of plenty more to come.
A Huge Result for the Starboard Dream Team
World Champion. Vice World Champion. And fourth in the world.
Matteo Iachino leaves Fuerteventura as the 2026 PWA Slalom X World Champion and 5x World Champion, while Femke van der Veen celebrates her Vice World Championship title and Bobbi-Lynn de Jong underlines her incredible potential with fourth overall at just 16 years old.
Three outstanding performances in some of the toughest racing conditions of the season and a huge result for the Starboard Dream Team.
Congratulations Matteo, Femke and Bobbi-Lynn!
