Windsurfing fans in Tenerife had to wait 5 years for their home World Cup, as the last event took place in 2019, with interruptions due to COVID-19 and a lack of sponsorship funds. In early August, the time had finally come: the organizers provided an almost perfect infrastructure for a World Cup at the popular beach of El Cabezo, and the world’s best windsurfers arrived for an action-packed week.

The lineup was top-tier with 46 riders. For Salmonn, this event held special significance, especially after his outstanding 2nd place finish in Pozo/Gran Canaria last month. He suddenly found himself in the role of a favorite to win at his home spot.

In the early rounds, Salmonn showed that he could handle this situation perfectly. No one knows this spot better than he does, and with plenty of experience and excellent wave selection, he impressed both the crowd and the judges in Cabezo. He effortlessly executed complex maneuvers on the biggest waves, earning top scores from the judges.

In the third round, Salmonn achieved the highest score of the entire event with 20.16 points, securing a spot in the semifinals. There, he defeated former world champion Ricardo Campello from Venezuela and earned a well-deserved place in the final of the first round. His opponents in the final, where four windsurfers compete simultaneously, were all Spaniards: Marc Paré, Victor Fernandez, and Liam Dunkerbeck. In this high-class final, Salmonn once again impressed with very stylish wave rides but was ultimately outdone by Paré’s powerful jumps. Paré performed multiple double forward loops, achieving a jump score that secured him the win. The top three positions of the so-called Single Elimination (first scoring round) were as follows: 1st Marc Paré, 2nd Julian Salmonn, 3rd Victor Fernandez.

If conditions allow within the seven-day window, a second scoring round (Double Elimination) is held in all categories. This gives all riders another chance to improve their placement from the first round. Only the top four riders from the first round are seeded and must confirm their positions. For Salmonn, this meant he had to defend his second place from the first round against Fernandez. However, by the end of the week, the wind and waves began to diminish, turning the situation into a nerve-wracking test for everyone involved. Would another round be held, or would the current placements stand?

On the final day of the event, the competition organizers decided to proceed with a full second round, and late in the afternoon, the heat between Fernandez and Salmonn finally took place. In front of many enthusiastic windsurfing fans, both riders demonstrated what makes this sport so exciting. Acrobatic moves on the waves alternated with high jumps, and despite the fading conditions, both riders showcased their full repertoire. In the final minute of the heat, both headed toward the shore on different waves, racing toward the cheering spectators. The crowd saw Salmonn as the winner, but the judges scored Fernandez’s performance slightly higher, allowing him to take 2nd place overall. Salmonn finished in an outstanding 3rd place after this incredibly close decision at the well-attended event near his home. The women’s competition was won by Germany’s Lina Erpenstein, while Marc Paré claimed victory in the men’s competition.

For Salmonn, an incredibly successful competition summer is gradually coming to an end. With a 9th place in the event in Chile in the spring, a 2nd place in Pozo/Gran Canaria, and a 3rd place in Tenerife, he now holds an impressive 7th place in the annual world rankings of the best windsurfers. The final two events of the year, and with them the decision for the 2024 World Championship, will take place at the end of September in Westerland on Sylt and in early November in Maui, Hawaii.

Results - Women:

• Lina Erpenstein
• Iballa Ruano Moreno
• Alexia Kiefer Quintana

Results - Men: 

• Marc Paré
• Victor Fernandes
• Julian Salmonn