Champion Du Monde

After one of the greatest battles in PWA slalom history, which boiled right down to the final race of the 2019 season, 30-year-old French racer Pierre Mortefon took the world title after an epic showdown with Matteo Iachino. John Carter caught up with an emotional Pierre moments after he had clinched the victory for his initial reaction and we get the thoughts of his sponsors on what makes Pierre one of the world’s best.

- John Carter, Pierre Mortefon, Craig Gertenbach, Raoul Joa

PIERRE MORTEFON

Finally, I got the title after such an emotional week and season. It was a long week in Noumea, we had amazing conditions, using sails from 7.0 to 8.6. I think we had ten or eleven rounds of slalom, I can’t even think straight right now. I am so happy. I worked really hard for this moment, with the team and my family supporting me a lot. I was pushing so hard this year, with so much training and travelling. After all these years, every bit of hard work has paid off. I am happy for myself and all the people around me who helped and believed in me. The beginning of this week was not easy. I started with a disqualification after crashing into Ross Williams which meant counting a last place. This was not the best way to start the event! Then I came straight back with a bullet. I think that helped me start my campaign from scratch again. Then for the title it was yes, no, yes, no, depending on the day and the battle with Matteo. It was a real see-saw battle with Matteo Iachino; at one point it looked like he had it wrapped up with three bullets, but then I would fight back and it could have gone either way.