Two-time World Champion and Olympic sailor Luise Wanser keeps competing. This fall she raced the Miami Slalom Open for the second time, in the Open category against wingfoilers and windsurfers on the same start line.
How did this year’s Miami Slalom Open go?
The conditions were incredible: strong wind and big waves, the kind of day every watersport athlete hopes for. I was on my smallest wing and smallest foils the whole time and tested different setups. Compared to my first time here, I came in with a clear plan and better-tuned equipment, and I raced better and went faster.
What was it like racing the windsurfers on the same start line?
Very competitive. A mixed fleet means a crowded, fast line with very different speeds. Slalom is all about timing and maneuvers with maximum pressure. If you commit to your timing and turn cleanly at the marks, you’re in the race. If you hesitate for a second, it’s gone. The speed differences in the fleet also shaped my strategy.
How much does equipment matter at this level?
A lot. Small differences in setup decide races. I spend a lot of time testing, giving precise feedback and refining my gear until it’s fast in every condition. For this event I changed the position of the foil and adjusted the foil angles.
What keeps you racing?
Competition has been the center of my life for as long as I can remember. I still love the start line, the pressure and the work of getting faster. That hasn’t changed, and I don’t expect it to. I love wining and feel so fulfilled on the water.
What is so special about the Miami Slalom Open?
It’s the only slalom competition in Miami. Competitors come from all over the world to race here for a week. It’s timed perfectly with the start of the windy season, and I’ve had incredible conditions both times I’ve competed. What Tillo International organizes for young athletes around this event is truly inspiring.
What’s next?
Over the next months I’ll be training in Miami and across the US, testing more foil combinations and setups to get even faster. I am planning more competitions this season and am finalizing my schedule. I’m already looking forward to racing the Miami Slalom Open again next year.