Maciek Rutkowski is the 2026 IFCA Fin Slalom World Champion. We are really proud of him — and doubly so, because this is his first world title riding for NeilPryde and JP-Australia.
The Tramontana showed up on the last day
Leucate, France. The event was supposed to run across several days, with nearly 170 riders from 20 countries on the start list — including most of the top PWA fleet. And then everyone waited. For wind. The Tramontana, the local northerly, only arrived on the final day, leaving organisers enough time for just one and a half elimination rounds.
In that format, there is no room for mistakes. One bad race and the title is gone. Maciek did not make a single mistake — he won, and took the gold. Dutch PWA racer Amado Vrieswijk finished second, his compatriot Jordy Vonk third.
Maciek said it best himself: "I'll definitely take it! Especially as it's my first World Title with NeilPryde and JP-Australia — something we set out to do together when we partnered up."
Team JP/NP results
- Maciek Rutkowski — 2026 IFCA Fin Slalom Men World Champion
- Matteo Iachino — 2026 IFCA Foil Slalom Men Vice World Champion
- Antoine Simon Desquesnes — 2026 IFCA Fin Slalom Youth Boys World Champion
- Anton Richter — 3rd place, 2026 IFCA Fin Slalom Youth Boys
Full results are available on the IFCA website. Photos from the event in the event gallery.
A strong start to the season
After the race, Maciek said the gear felt "really special on the racecourse" — and this is just the beginning. The NeilPryde RS:Racing EVO XVII 2026 sail and JP-Australia Slalom S-TEC 2026 board delivered when it mattered most, and that is a great sign for the rest of the season.
If you want to hear more straight from Maciek — he will be joining us this weekend at our windsurfing workshops in Puck. A great chance to catch up, ask him about Leucate, and see the gear in person.
Congratulations Maciek, and we cannot wait to see what comes next!