The event took place from May 8 to 17 in Gruissan, France, drawing as many as 1,400 participants from 40 countries. The regatta is particularly renowned for attracting the world’s top windsurfers and for its spectacular mass start on a race course spanning 40 kilometres. Conditions added an extra layer of challenge, with wind gusts reaching up to 48 knots.
Despite the demanding conditions and fierce competition, Mistral Matulja delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with an impressive result – 12th place overall.
Alongside the racing, the Défi Wind 2026 hosted what is widely regarded as the world’s largest outdoor boardsports show – the Défi Wind Village. Spanning on the 10,000 square metres, the village brought together around 60 brands, all dedicated exclusively to water sports. The village featured demonstration stands, test areas and catering points, where participants and spectators could try out the latest innovations in boards, sails and foils. During the event, valuable connections and conversations were made, contributing significantly to the KOMPERF EU project. The insights gained into the latest industry developments and trends provided an excellent foundation for further research within the project.
