Approx 800 sailors this year..
Andrea Cucchi (Point 7 boss) leading the pack after two days of 40 knts racing....
some interviews (incl Koster) on here :www.windmag.com/actu-defi-wind-jour-1-parole-defieurs
Select to expand quotevando said..
Nice shots shame no wind last year
So much wind here when you where there 
That would be a awesome buzz being on the water with so many like minded people that is going in the bucket list for sure !!!!!!!!
and what about the party after !!!!!!
With real wind being there on average 1 edition out of three since 2007 (2007, 2010, 2013: super windy, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012: Not at all), it's quite a gamble to do the trip from here.
Having done the 2010 one (and the 2009, not much to say about this one), it is a crazy event. Makes you feel like you can't windsurf. The start is scary as hell, and the usually flat spot turns a minefield (unless you're in the top 50, I guess....). The wind is strong on the north side (start side), and a good 10kt stronger 10km souther (1st mark). Most likely, by the end of the weekend you'd swearing at least once that you'll never do this again. But as soon as it's over, you can't wait for the next (windy) edition. 
It's always happening on the (catholic) Feast of the Ascension, because the Thursday is a public holiday which gives you a 4 day weekend. So if you want to know the dates of the future edition (if they were to happen), just ask the pope: 
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Ascension
2014?May 29
2015?May 14
2016?May 5
2017?May 25
Just got back to the UK, after the long drive back.
I went last year and got skunked. This time three full on days, 5 races at the full length 40km and 1 x 20km.
Some inappropriate equipment choices on the first two days (well it did not look all that windy from the beach, and watching all the pros rig massive), meant I only managed 20km in the first two days races.
Last day did the 40KM on a 4M wave sail, a lot of fun!
On the first day the wind really picked up at the first mark, the boat acting as the 1st mark drifted out... and 50 sailors needed a rescue, about 8 lost their gear to Huey, as the emergency guys were over stretched.
For such a large event, its actually hard to follow and see the results. Also they don't seem to have that much coverage from the photo/video side of things.. or maybe I just don't know where to look.
A few crew with WA connections up on the first page
www.continentseven.com/c7/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/result_after5races.pdf
Ex Pinnaroos GPSTC member James Dinsmore in 17th!
Danny Aeberli of the SouthSiders in 21st
Looks like Julien got 26th two spots in front of Philip Koster (I wonder if he was on wave gear?!)
Select to expand quotelao shi said..
A few crew with WA connections up on the first page
www.continentseven.com/c7/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/result_after5races.pdf
Ex Pinnaroos GPSTC member James Dinsmore in 17th!
Danny Aeberli of the SouthSiders in 21st
Looks like Julien got 26th two spots in front of Philip Koster (I wonder if he was on wave gear?!)
Great Effort 
Here is the full video of the event. If that doesn't make you pack your car with gear and go riding, there's officially something wrong with you.
Disregard all the French, they're just saying "it's awesome" and "It's crazy"...
brings back great memories. I did it in 2005 (only 450 on the start I think?) but windy as hell in some races. We got through 7 races. Wind meter was reading 55kts on the marker boat. AA and BD racing on 5.0s, (my smallest -5.6m was way too big). No PWA event to clash so plenty of good sailors there. The starts were epic fun. Nailed it a few times, and got a couple of top 10 results (on a kinetic gladiator). Looks flat. But isnt... square and nasty wash from the boards and bouncing off the beach. Coming back after the first gybe is frightening- especially up the front since you have to cross in front of pretty much the whole fleet... would love to do it again now that I'm all tuned up, but grateful for the chance to do it all those years ago.
Who wants to be the first around the mark to face the wall of the slower windsurfers?
Does it only look that crowded on the course or is it not that bad?
==> 1 against 900 
Select to expand quoteJas71 said..
That is going on the bucket list, all i can say is WOW. Where in France is it?
Gruissan - Aude (W side of the Mediteranean sea = south of France, overall) : goo.gl/maps/XjCOr
You sail from gruissan (plage des chalets) to PLN (Port la Nouvelle). 10km each way, twice, per race.
