PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam 2026: Iachino Dethrones Mortefon, Offringa Wins 17th Freestyle Title

The first PWA world titles of 2026 have been decided at Sotavento, Fuerteventura. Over two action-packed weeks, the Freestyle and Slalom X fleets fought out both world championships in the same “all or nothing” event — and both finals went down to the wire.

Freestyle: Offringa's 17th World Title

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Aruba) added yet another world title to her collection, beating Maaike Huvermann (Netherlands) in a Super Final held in gusts over 35 knots with heavy residual swell — conditions so rough the heat turned into what organizers called “a battle for survival” rather than a trick showcase. Offringa out-powered and out-lasted Huvermann to take her 17th freestyle world title and 29th overall PWA title across all disciplines. Lisa Kloster (Germany) took third.

“The standard among all the girls is rising dramatically, so I had to give it my all to rise to the challenge,” Offringa said afterward.

Slalom X: Iachino Ends Mortefon's Reign

In the men's Slalom X, Matteo Iachino (Italy) dethroned two-time defending champion Pierre Mortefon (France) after a final day that needed an eleventh, decisive race to separate them. Iachino had unexpectedly missed the Winners' Final in elimination ten, handing Mortefon a shot at a comeback — Mortefon duly won three of the last four heats, but it wasn't enough, and Iachino held on to claim his first Slalom X title and fourth PWA world title overall. Maciek Rutkowski (Poland) recovered from a heavy crash near the final buoy in elimination ten to take third.

In the women's fleet, Justine Lemeteyer (France) won the title ahead of Femke van der Veen (Netherlands) and Jenna Gibson (UK) in third.

Results

Men's Slalom X: 1. Matteo Iachino (ITA) · 2. Pierre Mortefon (FRA) · 3. Maciek Rutkowski (POL)

Women's Slalom X: 1. Justine Lemeteyer (FRA) · 2. Femke van der Veen (NED) · 3. Jenna Gibson (UK)

Women's Freestyle: 1. Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU) · 2. Maaike Huvermann (NED) · 3. Lisa Kloster (GER)

Full reports via SURF Magazin: Slalom X final and Freestyle Super Final.