The 2015 Azores Formula Windsurfing World Championship was held on the island of Azores, Portgual from April 7th to April 12th. After a total of 12 races, Starboard Dream Team rider Gonzalo Costa Hoevel and his Formula 167 secured their first Formula Windsurfing World title with a perfect score of 9 points on 12 races. Janis Preiss and Sebastian Kornum completed the podium, with Steve Allen finishing in fourth. A couple of words from the newly-crowned champion:

"This year, I felt a lot more prepared than last year. The event was in the same location so I knew what kind of conditions to expect and I had some preparation in Tarifa 10 days before the event to prepare for that.

When I arrived there and went sailing the first day, I was very fast so I knew in the back of my head that I had done my homework and that it could be a really good event for me. I've been on the podium at five different World Championships but never made it to the top spot...

I knew this could be my chance!

Racing in a harbor offered very challenging conditions. We had a big swell coming in the bay and a small wind chop which made it tricky. On top of that, the wind was very shifty and gusty so there was a lot trimming and adjusting your body to gusts and lulls. I knew that being comfortable on my gear was a big advantage.

We raced in winds from 10 to 20 knots in the first days, which then picked up between 15 and 30 knots on the last day.

I think I was very fast in all these conditions and felt very mature and calm about my racing strategy. I was in a very good mindset, where nothing really put me down. I was just making the best out of everything I could.

There were a lot of challenging starts, with half the fleet coming on port tack, lots of one sided favored upwind and downwind runs where you felt stuck and people were coming down full power, on new gusts. So it was very important to stay focused, with a positive mindset.

In the end, I won 9 out of 12 races... I don't have an explanation for that, except that I was feeling very fast and comfortable on my Starboard Formula 167 and this gave me the opportunity to go out, track every wind shift and follow every gust.

So this is my first Formula World Champion Title! I am very happy! But I am now back in Tarifa, training hard for the first PWA Slalom event of the year in Korea. Thanks to everyone for their support!

- Gonzalo (ARG-3)

For more information about the 2015 Azores Formula Windsurfing Worlds including complete ranking, pictures and daily reports, head over to the Formula Windsurfing website here

- Pictures by © Eric Bellande -