WINDSURFING ACTION ON THE OUTER BANKS
OBX-WIND, based on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA, is on its path to becoming one of the major events in the US. This year, windsurfers from near and abroad got together to celebrate windsurfing, and compete in long distance, freestyle, and in slalom. Add all of the social side activities, and you’ve got a unique event that appeals to any windsurfer.
The town of Avon on the Outer Banks of North Carolina once again became the centre of action for the 2023 edition of the OBX-WIND festival. Over 140 windsurfers from across the country, including a group of international riders, registered for a week of long-distance, freestyle, slalom, and light wind racing.
With Ocean Air sports, the local shop as base camp for daily briefings, the discipline of the day was chosen based on the forecast of the week. Ultimately, all disciplines were completed throughout the week, and there was even time left for a full gear day with clinics, presentations, and a market.
As the week progressed, the wind increased, and the long-distance race could finally be held in proper 20+ knots of wind. As per usual, there was a rabbit start to set off the whole fleet onto the course that stretched well into the shallow lagoon. The fastest racers did two laps in less than 30 minutes in the flatwater conditions. Two races were completed on this day.
Long distance men’s open top 3 results;
1st Marco Lang AUT-66
2nd Nico Prien Ger-7
3rd Vincent Lindauer 131
Long-distance women’s open top 3 results;
1st Sara Ahrendt 133
2nd Milanka Karmolinksi 55
3rd Amber Kasbeer USA 803
But that’s not all. Right after the long-distance race, the freestyle contest commenced, much for the entertainment of the crowds that had gathered. The freestyle crew consisted of a mixture of the best North American freestylers such as Mike Burns, Alex Mertens, Max Robinson, and Phil Soltysiak, and surprising local and international wildcards. Ultimately, it was Nigel Hart from Bonaire who won ahead of Phil Saltysiak (Canada) and Alex Mertens (USA).
The final day of the event also offered wind, so the decision was made to run slalom. After two initial qualifiers rounds, the fleet was split into gold and silver fleets for another four rounds. Most of the fleet was on sails between 7,0-8,0 and as the day progressed, the wind picked up for some exciting slalom action.
Slalom top3 results;
1st Nico Prien GER-7
2nd Kurosh Kiani
3rd Phil Soltysiak CAN-9
Based on the success of previous years’ and this year’s events, plans are already being made for a 2023 version of the OBX-WIND festival that will happen on similar dates and looks to be going even bigger.
Follow this link for full results.
Check out all of the daily videos from the 2023 OBX-WIND on the video slider here below.
More Severne news
Defi Wind 2026: Severne brought the building
Four days at Gruissan. Tramontana 25-45 knots. 1,400 competitors. Blanca took silver, Antoine finished fourth in Foil Unlimited, and Monster and Fury hit the table publicly for the first time ever at Revolution HQ — voted best stand of the event.
Federico Infantino: Main Break and the Desert
Federico Infantino’s 2025/26 Western Australia season, filtered through the surf-style approach he has been refining: small sail, board-led, let the wave do the work.
Wildwest: Balz Müller Goes XXL at Famara
Balz Müller takes his R4D 4.4 and Psycho 86 into XXL conditions at Famara, Lanzarote. Wildwest is a reminder that nobody pushes the freestyle/wave crossover like Balz.
The Wolf Enters the Big League
Fabian Wolf has strengthened his collaboration with team SEVERNE for 026, stepping up to the international racing team. From national slalom to Olympic iQFOiL to PWA racing; the German finished 2025 as Vice European Champion and 5th at PWA Japan, and he’s targeting the top three in 026.
Lina Erpenstein: Ten Years on Team SEVERNE
Lina Erpenstein joined team SEVERNE in 2016 after growing up on flat water in inland Germany. Ten years, multiple podiums and victories at European, national, and international level, a Chile World Cup win, and a medical career later; she’s still chasing the Women’s World Title.
Pauline Katz: Five Years on the Redback
Pauline Katz has ridden the Redback since ’21. Five seasons across Pozo, Chile, and Maui; all on a sail built for riders her size. Here’s why she’s never switched.
Girls on Tour Goes European
Team SEVERNE rider Pauline Katz expands her Girls on Tour women’s windsurfing camp series to a full European calendar in 2026. Seven events across four locations covering waves, freestyle, and slalom; coached by top female pros including Daida Ruano Moreno and Maaike Huvermann.
Blanca Alabau Signs Eighth Year with SEVERNE
2023 PWA Slalom World Champion and women’s foil speed world record holder Blanca Alabau returns to team SEVERNE for her eighth consecutive season. The partnership that started when she entered Formula Foil competition has produced world titles, speed records, and consistent podiums across both fin and foil disciplines.
SEVERNE Margaret River Wave Classic 2026: Jaeger Stone back on top
Jaeger Stone reclaims Margaret River while 17-year-old Sarah Kenyon wins her first Pro Women’s event. Jake Ghiretti scores the highest wave of the competition. Team SEVERNE dominated every podium; all on the Stone.