On top of the podium

At the age of just 20, Benoit Merceur has won his first major championship, is an up-and-coming racer at home on the French tour, and is an aspiring engineer.

Here are some insights about Benoit in his own words.

Stepping onto the top of the podium
I was very happy to win this competition because it shows me that the work I do during the year is paying off. It also shows that my current equipment is working very well. Ultimately, I hope it will get me suited to join PWA events in the future. Throughout the whole event, I used my 8.6 Mach and my 83 ISonic 2021 with a 43 Chopper.

International events
I’ve been to several IFCA Championship before. I did the IFCA Junior World in 2017 (7th) and the IFCA Youth world in 2018 (14th). But this event in Garda one was the only event windy enough I did for three years. I also do the AFF tour in France, which is the senior French championship and the youth slalom french championship, where I ended 2nd the last two years.

Student life
I am in engineering school ( INSA Rennes) in Britanny. This school allows athletes to make their own calendars so that they can train as much as they need. Personally, it allows me to train on the water at least four times a week on the water, and the same for physical training.

Foil or fin
I really like the two disciplines, especially foil when the wind is gusty and/or shifty. But when the conditions are stable, I prefer fin because I really like being fully powerered while being in contact with the water.

Home ground
Until this year, I sailed in Sanguinet, a lake near Bordeaux, in the South West of France. But now I am in Brittany so I train in Brest most of the time.

More Severne news

Federico Infantino scores massive Gnaraloo

Federico Infantino scores massive Gnaraloo

Some sessions become legendary. When SEVERNE team rider Federico Infantino made his annual pilgrimage 1,000km north to Gnaraloo this October, the forecast was holding strong with a solid 20-second period swell on the cards. After a decade of chasing waves at one of Western Australia’s most remote locations, Federico knew this one was different.

read more
Balz Müller gives us the nitty-gritty after Sylt

Balz Müller gives us the nitty-gritty after Sylt

Balz “Radiculo” Müller came off a spectacular performance in windy Fuerteventura and showed no intention of giving up his fourth place in the World rankings. On the contrary, Balz was on a mission to claim a podium spot and stormed through the first rounds of the single elimination on his Foilstyle gear.

read more
Plastic soup surfer completes London to Paris journey

Plastic soup surfer completes London to Paris journey

Merijn Tijnga aka Plastic Soup Surfer kicked off his latest expedition on June 22nd, an 850 km windsurfing and SUP journey from London to Paris.

After completing his Oslo to London campaign in 2023, he was now headed to the French capital, were he arrived on July 11th, just weeks before the Olympics.

read more