With just one day remaining, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 Formula Wing European Championships in Naples, Italy. Conditions on day four proved as challenging as forecast, with a light 11-knot breeze fading throughout the afternoon on the Bay of Naples, testing riders’ patience and performance.
In the women’s fleet, only one race was completed. France’s Kylie Belloeuvre claimed victory, confirming her place in the semi-finals. Fellow French rider Vaina Picot finished second, a rare result in an otherwise dominant regatta, marking only the third time in 12 races in Naples that she has not taken the win.
Picot will head straight into Sunday’s final, where she will be joined by defending European champion Maddalena Spanu.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Aimilia Kosti (GRE) riding the shifts
Greece’s Aimilia Kosti also booked her place in the Medal Series, though she was candid about the difficulties posed by the conditions. “It’s so hard to tack, to gybe, to go where you want to go in these light winds,” she said. “You do your start but then you can’t choose whether to go left or right because the wind might not be where you need it to be. It’s super difficult and it will be tomorrow.”
In the men’s Gold fleet, two races were completed before conditions deteriorated. The opening race went to France’s Thomas Proust. The rider from La Rochelle had his sights on finishing second overall for an automatic place in the final. However, Italy’s Ernesto De Amicis had other plans. Racing on home waters, he continued his impressive form to hold second overall, securing his place in the final alongside leaderboard leader Julien Rattotti.
Poland’s Kamil Manowiecki took victory in the second race, but it proved to be the last action of the day as officials were forced to abandon further racing due to the fading breeze.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Julien Rattotti (FRA) had a difficult day
For Rattotti, the abandonment must have come as a relief. Starting the day with a seemingly comfortable seven-point lead, the French Riviera-based rider endured a difficult afternoon. A late start in the first race resulted in disqualification, while a fall just short of the finish line in race two left him requiring assistance from his coach boat. What had looked like a commanding lead quickly came under threat, but the halt to racing allowed him to hold on to top spot. He will now need to regroup overnight ahead of Sunday’s final.
Defending champion Mathis Ghio faces an uphill battle to retain his title. Finishing 13th overall, the Frenchman would need an extraordinary run of five consecutive race wins on Sunday to stand any chance of reclaiming the crown. “I’ll do my best of course,” he said. “But I think this event is pretty much over for me. Something’s not right and I’m not sure what it is. I have to work it out, maybe start at ground level and rebuild.”
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Mathis Ghio (FRA) hoping for a Golden Ticket
Light winds are expected to persist into the final day, adding another layer of unpredictability. New Zealand’s Sean Herbert, who finished fifth overall and will enter the Medal Series at the semi-final stage, believes the dynamic could shift on the final day. “With such a big fleet on the start line in light winds today, it’s very difficult because of the dirty air all the wings throw off,” he explained. “Tomorrow there’ll be fewer people in each race, so that will change how we approach things. I’m looking forward to it.”
Sunday’s racing begins with the ever-dramatic Golden Ticket Race, offering one last opportunity to break into the Medal Series, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling finale in Naples.
Medal Series format:
