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Door: kiteboardertje / 23 March 2007 / 07:54 / 3339 Hits / 8 Reacties

The International Air Challenge is a vaulting challenge in which an international jury evaluates form, difficulty and risk taken by each competitor. The pull of the kite and the spirit and the lightness of the board allow spectacular jumps of 25 to 30 metres.

A great show for the public, which can witness these acrobatics from the beach.

As with any application of the wind as the propellant force, kitesurfing implies a serious study of the wind and air for this three-dimensional flight.

Expected competitors : Thomas Cocquelet (FRA), Etienne Lhote (FRA), Jeremy Eloy (FRA), AurÃ©lia Herpin (FRA), Charles Deleau (FRA), Ruben Lenten (NET), Tom Hebert (FRA), Florian Daubos (FRA), Kevin Langeree (NET), ...

DATA SHEET :

Designation : International Air Challenge
Discipline : Kitesurfing
Competitors : 32 men + 8 women
Site : Leucate La Franqui
Type dâ€™Ã©preuve : Vaulting competition
Characteristics : Extreme and spectacular discipline
Official organizers : Leucate and FFVL

The Mondial du Vent is a unique event in France. For one week, the greatest windsurfers and kitesurfer in the world gather on this spot known worldwide for offering the audience a spectacular show. Throughout the competition, numerous entertainment and demonstration offers will complete the program. The Mondial du Vent unites for one week kids and grown-ups around an irresistible force: The Wind.

History:

In 2006, the Mondial du Vent celebrated its 10th birthday! To celebrate the event, the Mondial hosted a new competition: The Eurocup, the European windsurfing slalom championship. Most of all, however, the Mondial du Vent was once again a huge event because the lengendary Robby Naish himself came to Leucate to stage one leg of his famous amateur only speed competition, the Naish Speed Party!
As far as kitesurfing is concerned, the International Air Challenge returned, while the speed challenge integrated the PKRA Kite Speed World Cup tour. The competitors roster once more united the cream of the world's wind- and kitesurfers, among them Antoine Albeau, Finian Maynard, Cyril Moussilmani, Steve Allen and ValÃ©rie Ghibaudo in windsurfing, Thomas Coquelet, Tom Hebert, Charles Deleau, SÃ©bastien Cattelan, Manu Taub and Charlotte Consorti in kitesurfing.
Such a roster promises a great show, and the least that can be said is that's what happened! In the Eurocup, Antoine Albeau showed his mastery and largely dwarfed the competition, leading easily in front of Finian Maynard and Cyril Moussilmani at the end of 8 spectacular legs.
Likewise, kitesurfing offered intense emotions to the audience, with a high altitude duel between Charles Deleau and Tom Hebert in the International Air Challenge. Charles narrowly secured his second victory in Leucate after 2004. A hang time competition was also staged, allowing Thomas Coquelet to devastate the competition by remaining no less than 10.2 seconds in mid-air. With the "speed junkies", the 40 knot mark was just narrowly missed by the veterans: Christophe Prin-Guenon won the challenge with 39.10 knots or 72.28 km/h. RaphaÃ«l Salles followed with a speed of 37.68 knots and Alex Caizergues succeeded to win third place. For the women, AurÃ©lia Herpin won with a best run of 30.84 knots with Charlotte Consorti finishing second place overall.

Finally, hats off for the amateurs of the Naish Speed Party which took place over two days, with winner Fabrice Couturier clocking in at 30.16 knots.

2005

In its ninth edition, the Mondial du Vent offers 4 competitions : the PWA Super X World Tour in windsurf, the International Air Challenge, the Corona Extra Kite Cross Tour and theInternational Kite Speed in kitesurf. Four high level contest with the best riders in the world such as Matt Pritchard, Robbie Swift, Julien Taboulet in windsurf and Olaf Marting, Charles Deleau, Manu Taub, Gisela Pulido (2004 World Champion) in kitesurf.
In the PWA SuperX World Tour, benefitting from the absence of an injured Antoine Albeau, Matt Pritchard wins after finishing second last year. The World Champion edges an excellent Cyril Moussilmani, while Robby Swift completes the podium. The Leucate boys prove they belong, with Julien Taboulet finishing 6th, while Nico Agkazciyan ranks 11th.
Three kitesurf competitions are scheduled. In the Kite Cross, Charles Deleau wins it all, beatingPhilippe Martin and Rui Pedro Meira. The International Kite Speed is once the again on the front stage with a new Women World Reco by Charlotte Consorti in 33,47 knots. On the boys side, SÃ©bastien Cattelan benefits from his regularity and ranks 1st above Dirk Hanel, Julien Sudrat, Manu Taub, RaphaÃ«l Salles and Sylvain Maurin.
The freestyle event International Air Challenge confirms the supremacy of the French new generation. After a fantastic show, Thomas Coquelet beats Benjamin Dupont and Tom HÃ©bert. The women competition is won by Claudine Podvin ahead of Kristie Jones.

2004

The competitors' chart for the eighth Mondial du Vent is one of the best ever. In funboard, the freestyle competition is replaced by a new one, the Super X, a modern version of a slalom in which the riders have to jump over buoys and execute some mandatory manoeuvres. In this game allying speed and dexterity, whereas all the best riders in the world are here, and notably Ricardo Campello, Robert Teriitehau or Robby Swift, Antoine Albeau from France wins it all ahead of Matt Pritchard from USA.<

In kitesurf, the riders (and spectators !) get the choice between freestyle and speed. For the freestyle part, in the International Air Challenge, everybody is here : Mark Shinn from UK (2002 World champion), Mark Doyle, Adam Koch from USA, Abel Lago from Spain, Charles Deleau (KPWT World champion), Malik Bouchenafa (Kite speed World recordman), Julien Sudrat, Bertrand Fleury, Etienne Lhote, and the 2001 and 2002 World champion Fabienne d'Ortoli from France.
And Charles Deleau easily confirms his supremacy, in a high-flying contest, ahead of Lhote and Doyle.

But the event that now attracts the attention is the kitespeed contest, with a goal of beating the World record !!! A record that did not last too long, beaten by Manu Taub from France with a run at 39,79 knots (73 km/h) ! Marc Gondard, more consistent during the week, wins the contest, butTaub left his mark on the competition by beating the former recordman, someone called Robby Naish...
In the girls contest, Charlotte Consorti also upgrades the World record with 33,24 knots.

2003

For its 7th edition, the Mondial du Vent creates the event by presenting a new discipline resolutely turned towards the future : the International Kite Speed Contest, a Kitesurfing speed contest. For this occasion, the riders seize the opportunity to try new technical equipment and to introduce innovations. Also scheduled were a PWA Freestyle World Tour leg, and the 4th edition of the International Air Challenge in Kitesurf.

The world greatest stars are once again going to be present, with the world freestyle runner-up, Ricardo Campello, but also the local boys : Julien Taboulet and Nicolas Akgazciyan, the Frans brothers, Tonky and Taty and also little frenchies who go up : Yannick Anton and Matthieu Bonno in freestyle. For the kitesurf, all the best riders are in Leucate : Mark Shinn (2002 World champion), the French Julien Sudrat (2001 World champion), Charles Deleau (2002 World runner-up), Franz Olry, Malik Bouchenafa, Bertrand Fleury, Bruno Sroka, Sebastien Cattelan, the 2001 and 2002 World champion Fabienne d'Ortoli, the brazilian champion Joseph Carneiro, the Dominican Luciano Gonzales, and many others... In short, a great show to come.

Alas, Eole disagreed, staying mute during the whole week, for the greatest misfortune of the numerous audience. But whereas the show did not take place on the water, it was in the Village with the presence of the BMX Team Starlight and the acrobatic basketball show by the Crazy Dunkers. But the organizers didn't want to remain about there for this first kite speed trial in the world. Riders had to wait till the... 6th of may to try to improve the old world record of Sebastien Cattelan. And results came quickly because Malik Bouchenafa made a case of him with more than 38 knots (38,28 exactly)!!! It's a new world record for the Leucate stretch of water, and that's not its first attempt.
Moreover for the girls too, there is a magnificient record for the Norwegian Tuva Jansen with 33,23 knots.
These performances carry a good hope for the next editions to beat the absolute sailing speed record hold by the Australian hydrofoil Yellow Pages, with 46,52 knots. We will see next year if the wind decides to be present.

2002

For its 6th edition, the Mondial du Vent changes its look. The event proceeds from now on over 6 days, from the 16 to the 21 of april 2002, and the speed contest was canceled since the world championship was restricted last year to the Leucate leg. The schedule now unites a leg of the PWA Freestyle World Tour, and the third edition of the International Air Challenge in Kitesurf.
The panel of competitors is stuffed with stars, with guys like Antoine Albeau, 2001 Freestyle World Champion, Julien Taboulet, Vidar Jensen or Web Pedrick in Freestyle. In Kitesurf, the best riders are also present with Julien Sudrat, 2001 Kiteboard Pro World Tour Champion, Argentinian Martin Vari, Kiteboarding World Championship Tour Champion, Mark Shinn, and Chris Gilbert, last year champion. On the women side, it's important to underline the presence of Fabienne d'Ortoli, 2001 Wolrd Champion.
As planned, the show is present under the sun, and the numerous audience on the beach enjoy the victory of Antoine Albeau, at the end of a duel versus Web Pedrick, in a high level freestyle competition.
In the Kitesurf competition, the show was also fantastic with the victory of Mark Shinn ahead of Malik Bouchenafa and Julien Sudrat.

2001

This 5th edition of the Mondial du Vent takes place from the 7 to the 16 april 2001 and is marked by a powerful Tramontana (squall up to 82 nodes!!!), who will prevent Kitesurfers from sailing during the greatest part of the 10 days, except for Flash Austin who will finish his "flight" very close to the cliff, with some broken ribs.
Once again, the elite are going to be present to Leucate, with Flash thus, but also Teriitehau, Albeau, Taboulet, Maynard, Maka and many others still...
In the Freestyle competition, Antoine Albeau wins every round and precedes Bruno AndrÃ© and the local boy Julien Taboulet.
In the speed event, Finian Maynard shows that he is definitely the best, winning for the 3rd straight time, but especially beating the World record of the 200 meters, then the record of the stretch of water of Leucate with a point at 42,91 knots, and this in spite of a casted foot!! He precedes two other old lorry drivers, Thierry BiÃ©lak and Bahadour.
In Kitesurf, Flash is KO following his incredible fall, but the show is fantastic, especially thanks to the new French wave taken along by Sudrat, Cattelan, Olry or Fleury which levelled the public in spite of the apocalyptical conditions. On final, Chris Gilbert wins ahead Franz Olry and Mark Shinn, whereas the youngsters Cattelan and Fleury get all the places of honor.

2000

The 4th edition of Mondial du Vent takes place from the 15 to April 24, 2000 in Leucate, and the program continues to grow rich, with Bump&Jump Contest in Freestyle, which comes to be added to the World Cup Speed and the first edition of the International Air Challenge in Kitesurf.
The greatest champions come to Leucate, with Robert Teritehau in Freestyle, Hawaians Flash Austin, Lou Wainman, Elliot Leboe and their friends in Kitesurf, and traditional Maynard, Bahadour, Bielak and the others stars of Speed. The whole elite of the water sports is present, and the audience is not disappointed by the show.
In the Speed event, Maynard and Ghibaudo confirm their titles obtained in 1999, under conditions very unfavorable with only one day of wind.
The Frestyle contests are won by Pascal Joly, Sylvain Puig and Robert Teritehau. As for the flying Hawaian Flash Austin, he wins the International Air Challenge ahead Chris Gilbert and Lou Wainman.
A dream stage for a Mondial du Vent which will remain in annals...

1999

For this third edition of the Mondial du Vent, which was held from the 10 to April 18, 1999, Kitesurf makes its appearance with the organization of a World Cup, in addition to the 3rd edition of a World cup speed.

The Wind Fair becomes extensive, with the organization of an International competition of kite, always accompanied by sand yachting and the Equipment Testing Show, which is now the trademark of Leucate.

In the Speed event, Finian Maynard wins in 41,08 knots, whereas among women ValÃ©rie Ghibaudo comfirms her victory of last year in 37,16 knots.

1998

For its second edition, the event becomes the Mondial du Vent, event organized during 12 days by the city of Leucate, from the 3 to April 14, 1998.

Joining a new edition of the World Cup Speed, and the now casual Equipment Testing Show, a Sand Yachting Speed Contest is scheduled. Leucate shelters from now on the Wind Fair, with exhibitions and evenings around Eole.

In the Speed event, JosÃ© Bahadour of Guadeloupe manages the best run with a run recorded on 42,02 knots, a new record for the stretch of water of Leucate. Among women, ValÃ©rie Ghibaudo wins with 34,51 knots.

1997

The water sports make a crashing entry on the stretch of water of Leucate, with the first edition of Expowind, the Wind Show, the 16 to April 22, 1997. An equipment testing show extends on 3000 mÂ².

A World Cup Speed SWA is organized, with the 60 best world runners on site.

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