JOHAN SØE STEPS AWAY FROM PWA SLALOM SEASON TO CHASE IQFOIL GOALS!
JOHAN SØE STEPS AWAY FROM PWA SLALOM SEASON TO CHASE IQFOIL GOALS!
JOHAN SØE STEPS AWAY FROM PWA SLALOM SEASON TO CHASE IQFOIL GOALS!
Johan Søe has officially withdrawn from the 2026 PWA slalom season, choosing instead to fully commit to his Olympic and iQFOiL campaign. The Danish foil specialist often known as the ‘Beast’, has won every slalom event he has entered since 2023! His exit from the tour will probably come as welcome news to his rivals and leaves the door open for them to rack up more world titles in his absence. Søe, has long prioritised Olympic and iQFOiL competition over the PWA tour, even turning away from what could already have been multiple world titles to pursue success on the Olympic pathway. The decision will also come as blow to his sponsor Patrik but he promises to use their gear when he eventually returns to PWA, IFCA and EPWT events!
Photos: PWA Carter and iQFOiL class.
WINDSURF:
From a PWA perspective it will be a shame to lose a rider of Søe’s calibre. On the PWA slalom tour, he hasn’t just been winning…he’s been dominating events so convincingly that the rest of the fleet has often looked like they’re racing for second place. Walking away now, when he could be winning PWA titles, is slightly disappointing news, especially for his sponsor Patrik. But looking at the bigger picture from Søe’s perspective, the decision makes sense: Olympic windsurfing demands total commitment, structure, and a different kind of dedication than the PWA tour. He also has the full backing of the Danish Sailing Federation and Team Denmark and committing to the Olympics while in his prime is his best shot at going for Gold. The PWA slalom tour will lose its benchmark rider, while iQFOiL will gain an athlete who clearly isn’t afraid of a bigger challenge.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND INTERVIEW FROM PATRIK
PATRIK:
JOHAN SØE withdraws from the 2026 slalom season. “The Beast” will be dearly missed on the PWA tour and other foil slalom events. This situation wasn’t easy as Johan’s personal wish hit us late and unexpected. We’ve interviewed him specifically for you so everyone may understand his thought process a bit better:
Why the late pivot to the Olympic iQFOiL campaign?
Johan: “I’ve deeply enjoyed the slalom scene and the collaboration with PATRIK, which made this a difficult decision. However, competing at the highest level in the iQFOiL class requires 100% commitment, so I’ve decided to focus entirely on my Olympic campaign.”
What’s your current contract situation with PATRIK?
Johan: “I am not fully retiring from foil slalom. I’m shifting focus to iQFOiL for a period, as others have done before. I value PATRIK’s belief in me and intend to come back on their gear when I return to the PWA, IFCA and EPWT.”
What differentiates the Olympic path from the PWA for the young generation?
Johan: “Choosing to step away was hard because I’ve won every slalom event I’ve entered since 2023. However, iQFOiL is an Olympic discipline supported by the Danish Sailing Federation and Team Denmark. This provides a structured team environment with coaches and specialists that differs from the PWA setup. My passion currently lies there.”
How is PATRIK supporting this “contract pause”?
Johan: “The brand has been extremely understanding and supportive throughout this process. I am truly grateful for their flexibility and I’ll continue to be part of the PATRIK family.”
It’s hard to watch you let a potential maiden PWA world title slip. It seems crazy!
Johan: “I don’t think the Olympic dream has fully taken over for me, but I know that I have been fully, fully dedicated to foil slalom for the past years but never to the iQFOil in the same way. I want to explore the possibilities and this comes with sacrifices.!”
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