Championnats du Monde Raceboard 2018 | France Raceboard Association

The 2018 Raceboard World Championships took place in Blanes (Spain) this June. With the title of 2017 runner-up to defend, the French contingent (14 men and 1 woman) had prepared specifically for this objective. In particular, Jean-Baptiste François (SSR La Rochelle) and Damien Duclos(CN Miramas), the top two finishers at the last French championship, were aiming for a top 10 finish this year after coming close in 2017. With light to moderate winds, ten heats were run. In the men's race, Joao Rodriguez (Portugal), who has taken part in 5 Olympic Games since Barcelona '92, won without any doubt. He had his heart set on erasing an unfortunate 2017 championship and the loss of the podium on a twist of fate.... In 2018, he returned as world champion ahead of Curro Manchon,^2nd, also with a vengeance and racing on home soil. On the French side, we had a good grouping with 10th, 11th and ^13thplaces respectively for Charles Raffray (Vannes), Jean-Baptiste François and Damien Duclos. A special mention goes to Charles, who made spectacular progress between 2017 and 2018. All three gave it their all to secure a place in this championship in a very compact and tough fleet. Behind them, youngstersHugo Boujean (SRR) and Morgan Jézequel(Aloha Attitude Brest) took some excellent places.

In the women's category, Viviane Ventrin (AS Gerardmer) confirmed her progress of 2017, when she won silver at the European championships, ... this year she won the title of vice world champion behind the untouchable Aleksandra Blinnikka (Finland), while having to resist the pressure of the^3rd and^4th for a point-period ranking. All in all, a very good result, with an increase in French participation.

All in all, a very fine championship, with a medal for France in a continental or world championship for the 4th year running.

Charles RAFFRAY (Yacht Club Carnac), ^10th,^1st French,

"First world championship after an early Medcup season and a lot of hard work with my new club Yacht Club Carnac and my coach Antoine Huet. The choices I made in changing equipment have paid off. Competing in national events enabled me to prepare well while forging local links. The event was hotly contested, with an untouchable top 5 on the water (2 Olympic representatives in it), but perfectly affordable in the parking lot, as Joao Rodrigez (^1st) and Curro Manchon (^2nd) are very friendly riders. It's great to be able to talk to them about windsurfing, as well as all the other things they do to keep their passion for the sport alive and kicking.

A lot of parking lot discussions revolve around equipment. This is often forgetting that the factor on which the ratio of improvement is the most important is the human factor...

Beautiful site. Impeccable organization on the water and ashore, even speaking French very well."

Charles Raffray (FRA 210)

Morgan Jezequel, Aloha Attitude (Brest), ^31st,

"It was my first World Championship, and I had to deal with new conditions, new water and new opponents. Throughout the week, there was very little wind and big chop, so it was complicated and very technical. I wasn't used to it, as I train in the Brest harbor. I got a great experience out of this championship, just by being in contact with so many raceboarders on the same line. The atmosphere at the championship was just great! Everyone talked to each other, no matter where you were from. I wish I could have stayed longer. I can't wait for the next world championship!"

Morgan Jezequel (FRA 929)

Damien Duclos, CN Miramas, ^13th,

"A wonderful experience in a magnificent setting! ...from the atmosphere among the racers to the organization and the pleasant water conditions, which delighted racers and companions alike. A thought for Franck Loup (^55th and a few problems), I think every Frenchman put in a fine performance at these championships, and I congratulate them all on coming out in force! Now it's on to the French championships in October, with a rematch with Charles Raffray,^1st Frenchman in Blanes.