Matteo Iachino claims second while Femke van der Veen secures breakthrough third at PWA Grand Slam
Fuerteventura delivered serious conditions for the 2025 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam, and team SEVERNE answered with decisive podium performances in both women’s and men’s categories. Matteo Iachino secured second place in the men’s Slalom X division, while Femke van der Veen broke through for her first PWA podium with third in the women’s fleet.
Photos by PWA/John Carter.
Racing his SEVERNE Mach 8 in testing conditions, Matteo demonstrated a serious tactical awareness that solidified his place on the podium. Throughout the contest, Matteo relied on his Mach 8 range – switching between 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5 sizes as conditions demanded. The insanely consistent string of results positioned him perfectly to strike on finals day, constantly building the foundation for his second place finish.
Come finals day, matteo faced intense pressure from Maciek Rutkowski in the battle for second place, with the duo trading positions throughout the final eliminations. But on the very last race, Matteo’s championship experience proved decisive. With Rutkowski jumping the gun and receiving disqualification, Matteo capitalised by winning the last elimination outright – putting the result beyond doubt with characteristic authority.
“The fight with Maciek was exactly what slalom racing should be,” Matteo says.
FEMKE’S BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT
For Femke van der Veen, third place represents more than a podium finish – it marks her arrival as a serious contender on the PWA circuit. Racing against established legends including winner Sarah-Quita Offringa, the Dutch sailor’s performance was a clear sign of the new generation’s hunger for results.
Femke’s consistency throughout the contest series proved crucial, maintaining composure in Fuerteventura’s unforgiving conditions. The podium finish validates Femke’s recent years of dedicated training and demonstrates.
Femke rode the Mach 8 5.0, 5.5, and 6.5 throughout the contest.
TENERIFE AWAITS
With the PWA circus moving to Tenerife next month, team SEVERNE now carries serious momentum into the next battleground.
2025 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam – Results
Women’s Slalom X – Top 10
1st Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU | Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins)
2nd Justine Lemeteyer (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
3rd Femke van der Veen (NED | Starboard / SEVERNE Sails)
4th Jenna Gibson (GBR | Duotone)
5th Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (NB | Starboard / NeilPryde)
6th Blanca Alabau (ESP | WeOne / SEVERNE Sails)
7th Mae Davico (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
8th Charlotte Philip (FRA | Challenger Sails)
9th Louise van der Meulen (ARU | Starboard / SEVERNE Sails / Z Fins)
10th Anna Biagiolini (ITA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils)
Men’s Slalom X – Top 10
1st Pierre Mortefon (FRA | FMX Racing)
2nd Matteo Iachino (ITA | Starboard / SEVERNE Sails / Z Fins)
3rd Maciek Rutkowski (POL | JP / NeilPryde)
4th Jordy Vonk (NED | Duotone)
5th Taty Frans (NB | Point-7 / Z Fins)
6th Bruno Martini (ITA | I-99 / S2Maui / Z Fins)
7th Amado Vrieswijk (NB | Future Fly / Point-7 / Z Fins)
8th Nico Prien (GER | JP / NeilPryde)
9th Jimmy Thieme (FRA | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails)
10th Ingmar Daldorf (NED | Tabou / GA Sails)
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