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.
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