In 2009 it is the 13^th edition of the Monial-du Vent. Since 1996, when the event was held for the first time, it has become an important date in the event calendar of passionate windsurfers. The Mondial-du-Vent is taking place from April 11 to 19, 2009 in the south-east of France, in Leucate at the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the biggest events that combines kite and windsurfing.

One key feature is the direct competition between windsurfers and kitesurfers, the “Orange Speed Crossing”. In this speed race six of the best athletes of each discipline compete against each other. The windsurfers’ combatants are the well known pros Cyril Moussilmani (F), Benoît Moussilmani (F), Sylvain Moussilmani (F), Anders Bringdal (SWE), Nicolas Reynes (F) and the multiple world champion and world cup winner Antoine Albeau (F), who holds the speed world record on the windsurf board with 49,09 kts. The kitsurfers team sounds not less prestigious with Sjouke Bredenkampf (RSA), Manu Taub (F), Sébastien Cattelan (F), Raphaël Salles (F), Alex Caizergues (F) and Bruno Sroka (F). Caizergues and Cattelan are the ones who broke the magic 50-knots speed barrier in 2008.

Despite of this event there are a lot of other special competitions. The up-coming talents can show their skills in the Junior Windsurf Throphy. In three age classes the juniors can surf under professional conditions and with professional equipment. For the first time a Stand-up-Paddle-Race will take place in Leucate.  The Stand up Paddlers (SUP) stand on their long boards without a sail and move it only with one paddle. This is following old traditions of the Hawaiian kings, who have invented this kind of locomotion long time ago. At the moment SUP-trend reaches the European continent from the US.

Kiters will have a special interest in the long-distance-race. Between April 11 and 16 amateurs and professionals will compete over the distance of 20 km to find their best. Already signed up has the French kitesurf speed record holder Alex Caizergues. Moreover, the PKRA Freestyle World Tour again holds one tour stop at the Mondial du Vent.