Der Tsukuihama-Strand in Yokosuka liegt etwa 80 km südwestlich der geschäftigen japanischen Hauptstadt Tokio. Yokosuka verbindet das Stadtleben mit dem Meer und ist gleichzeitig ein Marinehafen. Yokosuka nimmt den größten Teil der Miura-Halbinsel ein und grenzt im Osten an die Mündung der Bucht von Tokio und im Westen an die Sagami-Bucht, die eine wunderschöne Kulisse bieten. Bei guten Bedingungen kann man sogar den berühmten Berg Fuji sehen. Da der Tsukuihama-Strand fast vollständig geschützt ist, bietet er hervorragende Bedingungen für Flachwasserrennen, aber wie die letzten Jahre gezeigt haben, kann er auch herausfordernde Bedingungen mit starkem Wind und unruhigem Wasser bieten, was bedeutet, dass die weltbesten Racer auf alles vorbereitet sein müssen, was Yokosuka ihnen entgegenwirft...

Foil Slalom Women’s

With there only being two events this season, there really is no margin for error for the world title race contenders in Japan, as any mistakes or equipment malfunctions could prove to be the difference between success and failure.

Reigning world champion - Justine Lemeteyer (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) - comes into Japan with the world title race lead after winning the opening event of the season in Guadeloupe. The 23-year-old won four out of the six eliminations completed in Guadeloupe and finished second in the other two eliminations, so she may prove difficult to stop.

However, Lina Eržen (Starboard / S2Maui / Starboard Foil), will be a major threat as the 23-year-old only finished outside the top two once in six eliminations in Guadeloupe and she was the only other sailor to claim bullets there. Eržen has also previously won here in 2023. Another victory here could well yield her a maiden world title.

Meanwhile, Blanca Alabau (WeOne / Severne Sails) and Femke van der Veen (Starboard / Severne Sails) have outside shots at the title, but results would obviously have to fall their way, but both will be battling for a place on the event and overall podium.

Defending event champion - Marion Mortefon (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils) - returns to the fleet as the former world champion prepares to make her first appearance since becoming a mother. Mortefon may not be in contention for the world title this time around, but she could well still play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of who does become the 2025 Foil Slalom PWA world champion.

Men's

Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Severne Sails) enters Japan with a healthy 300 point lead, which is effectively a four position advantage as if the Italian were to finished tied on points with someone then he would still win the world title on countback having already beaten the other sailors still in contention for the title in Guadeloupe and Sylt. Despite holding a healthy lead you can be rest assured that iachino will show no signs of complacency as he looks to earn a third world title - adding to previous titles from 2016 and 2023.

Defending world champion, Pierre Mortefon (FMX Racing / NeilPryde), is currently Iachino’s closest challenger, but he, and everyone else, are a fair way off the pace, so if Iachino is anywhere near the level he has shown in the opening two events it’s hard to see him being denied. Mortefon though will want to finish the season on a high either way and will have been able to rack up valuable miles on his new equipment since the last event in Sylt, Germany.

Having claimed a dominant victory in Sylt, Johan Soe (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils), will be a firm favourite for the event title here in Japan - especially as the Dane is also the defending event champion here after claiming 3 bullets from the four eliminations completed last year. Søe possesses pure self-confidence, and rightly so as it barely looks like he will ever mistake, and he could well make it four event wins from his last four events on the World Tour, though having concentrated on iQFOil earlier in the season that means a world title will have to wait at least another year, but surely at some point he’ll add that prize to his trophy cabinet.

Maciek Rutkowski (JP / NeilPryde) is the next closest challenger in third, but realistically speaking it’s a two horse race for the world title, unless something unexpected happens early on as the Pole is a further 300 points off the pace from Mortefon. However, just 100 points currently separate himself and Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / Point-7 / Z Foils) in the battle for the last place on the prestigious overall podium.

While the world title race may look almost like a forgone conclusion, there will still be plenty on the line with precious World Cup points up for grabs and other sailors to keep an eye on include; Dutchman Jordy Vonk (Duotone Windsurfing), the French contingent of William Huppert (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils), Alexandre Cousin (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils), Alexis Mathis (Tabou / GA Sails) and Pierre Macquaert (JP / NeilPryde).

Meanwhile, Sem Stroosma (Tabou / GA Sails), John Soukos (WeOne / Challenger Sails), who comes into the finale on the back of his best result on the World Tour, plus Scotty Stallman (Tabou / GA Sails), will be battling for the last couple of place in the overall top ten, with all three sailors chasing being ranked in the overall top ten for the first time in their careers.

There’s also an extremely strong Japanese lineup and you can be rest assured that all of the locals will be doing everything they can to grab a bit of the spotlight at their home event.

Make sure you stay tuned to the PWA website and Social Media channels over the next five days to stay up to date with all of the latest news and developments from Japan.