COLLABORATION STRENGTHENED

Blanca Alabau started racing Formula Foil with SEVERNE in 2018. Eight years later, she’s the 2023 PWA Slalom World Champion, holds the women’s foil speed world record, and just signed for her eighth consecutive season. The partnership works.

Eight years is serious time in professional windsurfing. Equipment changes, riders move, programs shift. Blanca Alabau has stayed with SEVERNE since day one; the result is a world title, a speed record, and consistent podium finishes across both fin and foil disciplines.

“Eight years already? Wow – time really flies,” Blanca says. “SEVERNE is the brand that believed in me from the very beginning, when I was just starting to compete in Formula Foil and my first PWA events. They supported me with prototypes, great advice, and constant development; that made a huge difference in my progression.”

That early support built the foundation. Blanca has been instrumental in SEVERNE’s development of race gear for smaller riders; the results speak for themselves. A world title in 2023, multiple podium finishes, and the women’s foil speed record.

“What really matters is that they’ve also believed in me during the tough moments: injuries, challenging seasons, and when I stepped into new windsurfing disciplines,” Blanca continues. “That trust and long-term vision is what has kept me with SEVERNE all these years.”

Equipment evolution

Racing demands equipment precision. Blanca races both slalom on fin and foil in her chase for titles; the upcoming Mach 9 and Hyper 9 represent the next evolution.

“Gear is absolutely key in racing,” Blanca says. “There are countless hours of testing and development behind everything we use. The sails have completely evolved since I first joined the team; they’ve changed in shape, performance, control, and speed. But the goal has always stayed the same: to go faster while making the sailing more enjoyable and efficient.”

Every season brings refinement. Small details compound into race-winning margins. The results team SEVERNE has achieved validate the approach.

The 026 season

For 026, Blanca’s goals shift focus. More time on water. Strengthen weak disciplines. Build all-around performance. A podium on both fin and foil in the same season would mark new territory.

“My goals for 2026 are a bit different this year,” says Blanca. “I want to spend as many hours on the water as possible, really focus on improving my weaker disciplines, and keep building all-around performance. Making a podium on both fin and foil in the same season would be a dream.”

Wave riding enters the program too. Blanca is pushing into bigger surf and working toward landing push loops. “I’m also pushing more in the waves; riding bigger surf and working toward landing push loops,” she says. “Overall, my main goal is simple: to enjoy windsurfing to the maximum while continuing to grow as an athlete.” The competitive drive remains, but the definition of progress expands.

Beyond results

Gear performance is baseline. What keeps Blanca with SEVERNE runs deeper.

“What I appreciate most about the brand is the focus on the small details that really make a difference during the season,” Blanca says. “From celebrating my first international victory together at the Defi Wind, to getting extra support mid-season for new equipment like a foil, I’ve always felt backed both as an athlete and as a person.”

It’s the human aspect of the partnership that stands out; genuine connection between rider and brand, support that goes beyond results, even when things don’t go to plan.

“What stands out even more is the human side of the partnership. After a tough competition, part of the team came in person to support me, which meant a lot and showed how much the team truly cares beyond just results. The brand also keeps pushing my development by providing wave sails, helping me progress and challenge myself in all disciplines.”

Year eight starts from Tenerife where Blanca is currently based. Blanca rides Mach 9 and Hyper 9; chasing podiums on both fin and foil, pushing into wave sailing, and building on the partnership that’s already produced multiple titles.

Blanca will race the SEVERNE Mach 9 (slalom) and Hyper 9 (foil) in 2026.

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