The new spot Viana do Castelo, has enhanced its reputation as one of the best windsurfing locations in Europe - combining stunning scenery and world class conditions from 25 to 45 knots for both slalom and freestyle. The long beach of 'Cabedelo' opposite Viana do Castelo is probably North Portugal's most popular spot – and certainly one of the best. With its thermal turbo-boost, the Nortada regularly reaches 25 knots. Many of the world’s top sailors considered the 2018 Viana PWA World Cup to be some of the best conditions they have ever competed in.
Men’s
By the end of the event Albeau had reduced the gap to Matteo Iachino who won this event, to just 0.4 of a point after the Frenchman claimed back-to-back bullets. Albeau’s ruthless streak, which has seen him win 24 world titles, and his ability to win races - 4 from 7 here - almost saw him overturn Iachino’s lead as he demonstrated the power a race victory holds. Albeau trails Iachino by just 100 points after 4 events and they look set for an epic battle to decide this year’s world crown. Meanwhile Mateus Isaac breaks into the overall top 10.
Women’s Slalom
Sarah-Quita Offringa who takes a break from Slalom this year competed in Portugal´s event and improved in each of her first 3 races in Portugal with results reading 3rd, 2nd and a 1st, before having a minor mid-event blip with a 5th and an 8th. However, the 4-time Slalom World Champion ended the event in style with a further bullet and a 2nd to finish in second place overall for the 2018 Viana PWA World Cup.
Freestyle
The Women showed off the highest level of Women’s Freestyle ever seen on PWA World Tour as the top female sailors on the globe took full advantage of the idyllic conditions to deliver a powerful and dynamic display - consisting of an impressive repertoire of jumps, sliding manoeuvres and the latest power moves as the women truly showed what they are capable of…
But there was still a familiar name at the top of the podium as Sarah-Quita Offringa made the perfect start in her quest to win an incredible 11th PWA Freestyle World Championship - which would be her 15th overall - as she won every heat during the two double eliminations to show that she is still the undisputed Queen of Freestyle.
Ranking 2018 Viana PWA World Cup - Men’s Slalom
1st Matteo Iachino
2nd Antoine Albeau
3rd Pierre Mortefon
Ranking 2018 Viana PWA World Cup - Women’s Slalom
1st Delphine Cousin Questel
2nd Sarah-Quita Offringa
3rd Lena Erdil
Ranking 2018 Viana PWA World Cup - Women’s Freestyle
1st Sarah-Quita Offringa
2nd Maaike Huvermann
3rd Oda Johanne
Text and photos adapted from PWA.