News - Press Releases

It was a dramatic first day of the Wingfoil Racing World Cup Italy with two grueling long-distance races that had riders shaking their arms to send blood to cramping forearms.A wincing sailor was staring at a bleeding foot, riders ducked through the prop wash of the rabbit start boat hammering at more than 30 knots and a lost leader of the fleet lead a group the wrong way around the course.The six-mile-long races were almost five times the length of the normal Wingfoil races. So different but… Read more...

- No wind on the final day, so the medallists go for a Pikachu ride- Mathis Ghio wins the men's fleet- Nia Suardiz wins the women's fleet- Kamil Manowiecki comes second, and the Pole predicts a brighter future in the light Read more...

- Not enough wind for Gold Fleet means competition cuts straight to Sunday's Medal Series- But... any of the 113 riders can still win, thanks to the 'Golden Ticket'!- Can Romain Ghio battle his way out of the long-distance race and beat his bro, Mathis?- And will any of the women be able to topple Nia Suardiaz from the top of the tree Read more...

- Not enough wind, but that doesn't mean not enough fun!- Who can topple Mathis Ghio as the top men's winger? Kamil thinks he can- Armie Armstrong on the bright future of wingfoiling across the globe- Saturday is the day for Gold Fleet finals Read more...

- Windy in the morning, lighter in the afternoon, makes for a wing-choice headache- But another day of warm water and warm breeze still makes for a great day's racing- Four men's and two women's qualifying groups for the opening series- Perfect 5 from 5 for top women Nia Suardiaz (ESP) and Maddalena Spanu (ITA)- Almost perfect for the top three men - Ghio, Manowiecki and Cappuzzo Read more...

- A fleet of 113 riders gather on Pingtan Island for first ever Wingfoil Racing World Cup in China- Warm winds of 20 knots make for great long-distance racing- Kamil Manowiecki of Poland is fastest out of the high-speed rabbit start- Mathis Ghio (FRA) and Nia Suardiaz (ESP) are winners of the Marathon Race- Bastien Escoffet (FRA) clocks up highest speed on the race track, 33 knots Read more...

- Mathis Ghio [FRA] and Maddalena Spanu [ITA] are the new Formula Wing European Champions. - Conditions didn’t allow for the Golden Ticket Race to run; Julia Repschlager [GER] and Jeremiah Mcdonald [NZL] retained their 10th position spot from the fleet racing and progressed to medal series. - Wind eventually filled in to enable an exhilarating medal series to be completed.Low cloud and a touch of drizzle made for a very atmospheric day in Silvaplana. With the wind not filling in until 14:00,… Read more...

- Mathis Ghio [FRA] takes the lead in the men’s rankings.- Maddalena Spanu [ITA] continues to dominate in the women’s fleet. - Marta Monge [ITA] and Oscar Leclair [FRA] book their tickets straight through to the finals.Wingfoilers are certainly a tough breed! Event race officer Mirco Babini couldn’t believe his eyes at the impressive display of “ice gladiators” battling for bullets on the racecourse. As temperatures plummeted to lows of 1˚C, riders completed two races in the morning session to… Read more...

- Wind conditions didn’t allow for racing today on Lake Silvaplana. - Riders went to St. Moritz to enjoy a variety of alternative foiling activities.Unfortunately, there was no racing today due to inconsistent light winds on Lake Silvaplana. Instead, the riders made the most of the free afterpumfoiling, SUP foiling, tow foiling, and even showcasing an impressive display of lightwind wingfoiling many years and is a paradise for a multitude of windsports and foiling activities. Read more...

- 55 riders from 14 countries registered to race in Silvaplana - The Formula Wing introduces limitations to the equipment each rider is allowed to use at an event - Newly crowned Marathon world champions, Bastien Escofect [FRA] and Maddalena Spanu [ITA] claim first bullets of the event in the marathon raceThe Ensis Engadinwing 2024 Formula Wing Europeans kicked off today in the breathtaking Lake Silvaplana. The Formula Wing marks a significant milestone in wingfoil racing as it introduces… Read more...

- Bastien Escofet and Maddalena Spanu claim first-ever WingFoil Racing Marathon World titles - Oscar Leclair wins 45th edition of The Round Texel Race, in a record breaking 2 hours 2 minutes 51 seconds The grand finale of the WingFoil Racing Marathon World Championship kicked off to an epic start as 363 vessels hit the start line for the 45th Edition of the Round Texel race. The wingfoil racers were joined by a variety of catamarans and windsurfers for the iconic Dutch tradition, with Texel… Read more...

- 40 competitors registered from around the world to compete in 6 back-to-back marathon races - 45th edition of Round Texel to programmed for Saturday 8th June - Bastien Escofet and Mariska Wildenberg take first Marathon wins of the week - Challenging conditions and big shore break keep some of fleet ashore If you thought 1 marathon was hard enough… try doing 6! That’s the challenge that 40 wingfoilers from around the world have signed up to this week with the final test being the legendary… Read more...

- Mathis Ghio and Nia Suardiaz take the men's and women's titles in Turkey- The day began with the Golden Ticket race, a rabbit start and long distance format- Simon Burner (GBR) and Iset Segura (ESP) win the Golden Tickets- The yellow bib wearers prove unstoppable in the finals Nia Suardiaz and Mathis Ghio have taken the gold medals at the WingFoil Racing World Cup Turkiye after commanding performances in the medal series. The 17-year-old Spanish rider dominated the women’s competition this… Read more...

- Six heats in the finals to decide which nine riders get into Sunday's medal series- Rattotti, Tomasi and Klusznzynska among today's race winners- Ghio and Suardiaz take pole position and yellow bibs for medal series climax- But... revolutionary 'Golden Ticket' format means ANYONE can still win overall- Negative publicity over plastic waste looks set to trigger environmental change in the Izmir region of Turkiye Read more...

Six short-course races in bright sunshine and wind from 12 to 22 knotsNia Suardiaz is over early in first start, but five wins keep her on top of women’s standingsPlastic debris in the water requires some mental gymnastics from the ridersMathis Ghio maintains overall lead with six wins from six heatsGold fleet racing takes place on Saturday for the top 14 men Some riders complained about plastic in the water ruining their races on day three of the WingFoil Racing World Cup Turkiye. Others found… Read more...

- Long distance, 10 nautical mile marathon race opens the competition- Just as the rabbit start begins, wind gusts up from 12 knots to well over 20 knots- Competitors struggle round the course, overpowered by oversized wings- Close finish with Mathis Ghio just beating Julien Rattotti- Nia Suardiaz wins the women’s marathon It was a rude awakening for competitors at the WingFoil Racing World Cup Turkiye. Having gone out from the beach at Urla a few minutes earlier with their big wings, just a… Read more...

The WingFoil Racing World Cup Turkiye began today, although a lack of wind prevented the first race from going ahead. Instead the riders put their competitive instincts into an evening competition on Audi e-foilers, electric-powered foiling boards that fly above the surface at up to 30 knots. Read more...

- Another big breeze day to decide the men’s and women’s podiums in Jericoacoara- Nia Suardiaz won the women’s contest- Mathis Ghio edged the men’s win but...- ... the incredible performance of ‘Golito’ was the highlight of the day- Ghio retains his world title- Maddalena Spanu wins her first world title Nia Suardiaz and Mathis Ghio have won the WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil after Jericoacoara delivered another high-wind, high-drama day in paradise. It was also the day when the World… Read more...

- The windiest day ever in the history of the circuit, wind gusting over 30 knots- Nia Suardiaz has won 16 out of 18 women’s races- Francesco Cappuzzo closes the gap on men’s leader Mathis Ghio- A radical format change, the ‘Golden Ticket’, means ANYONE can still win Nuclear gusts gave Francesco Cappuzzo the ammunition he needed to close the gap on Mathis Ghio on a barnstorming day three in Jericoacoara, the venue for WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil. Read more...

- Another big breeze day of 25 knots, and seven exhilarating races- Suardiaz extends the women’s lead- Mathis Ghio takes the men’s lead despite bladder problems- Germany's Yannik Holste and Venezuela's 'Golito' squeak into Gold Fleet- Rafferty Read narrowly misses Gold Fleet but there is a potential reprieve on Saturday Seven high-wind races made for another exhausting but exhilarating day two of competition in Jericoacoara, the foiling paradise venue for WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil. Read more...

- Big breeze on day one, gusting up to 30 knots- Long-distance races and rabbit starts kick off the action- Bastien Escofet takes the men’s lead ahead of world champion Mathis Ghio- Nia Suardiaz is the women’s leader ahead of world champion Paula Novotna You would never know he’d been away for six months, but Bastien Escofet foiled right to the top of the leaderboard after a phenomenally windy first day in Jericoacoara at the WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil. Not that the French professional… Read more...

4 days of long-distance and short-course racing out of Vila Kalango in Jericoacoara in the north of BrazilOpen competition with a wide array of different wing and foil equipmentDefending men’s and women’s World Champions, Mathis Ghio and Paula Novotna, among the competitorsThe final of five events in 2023 to determine who will take this year’s world titles The WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil is about to begin, with four days of high speed foiling competition from 6 to 9 December. A world-class… Read more...

Perfect onshore breeze of 11 to 14 knots made for a fan-friendly Medal Series climax Majestic 16-year-old Maddalena Spanu of Italy dominates for victory in the women’s contestMathis Ghio wins men’s gold Ernesto de Amicis storms through three knockout rounds to take bronze The WingFoil Racing World Cup Sardinia reached a thrilling crescendo as the crowd on Poetto Beach cheered the riders through each round of the Medal Series. In the end Mathis Ghio of France prevailed in the men’s competition… Read more...

Another day of tricky offshore wind varying from 8 to 18 knotsSix short-course Gold Fleet races in the men, five for the womenMaddalena Spanu of Italy is one race away from overall victoryGhio takes the yellow bib from Ratotti in the menOn day three of WingFoil Racing World Cup Sardinia the riders were only returning to shore as the sun was setting over Poetto Beach after another challenging session of races in ever-changing offshore breeze. Read more...

Six short-course qualifying races in offshore wind varying from 6 to 28 knots.Maddalena Spanu of Italy has yet to be beaten in the women’s competitionFrance’s Julien Ratotti maintains a slender lead in the menBig improver of the day was Josh Armit with three wins for the KiwiThe Men are now split into Gold, Silver & Bronze Fleet for Saturday Six short-course races in offshore winds varying from 6 to 28 knots kept the international riders on their toes - or tipped them into the water - on a… Read more...

Two long distance races with spectacular rabbit starts in 10 to 17 knots of windFrance’s Julien Ratotti uses a new double-profile wing for an upwind speed edge and two bulletsMaddalena Spanu of Italy wins both races in the women’s competitionToday’s results are used to divide the men into three qualifying groups for short-course racing17 women will race in their own short-course fleet Read more...

No wind on the final day of competition on SilvaplanaFiona Wylde wins a World Cup at her first attemptAlessandro Tomasi wins his first World Cup of 2023Italy and France dominate the men’s top 10 Fiona Wylde (USA) and Alessandro Tomasi (ITA) respectively have become the women’s and men’s champions at Wingfoil Racing World Cup Silvaplana. With no wind for the final day, the results all hung on the 10 races from the first two days. Tomasi, the 2021 World Champion, earned two crucial wins in the… Read more...

The pump foiling competition was the best way for the riders to work out their frustrations at a lack of wind on day four of the Wingfoil Racing World Cup Silvaplana. Being able to pump the board in light winds is a key racing skill, although the range in abilities across the fleet is enormous. Some look as elegant as a gazelle bounding across the savannah, others are as coordinated as Bambi on ice. Read more...

No wind on Lake St Moritz, so a day of pump foiling and balance boardsBalz Mueller shows off his athletic skills and passion for all kinds of foilingItalian riders ready to take on France’s World Champion Mathis Ghio in gold fleet There was a change of venue for day three of the Wingfoil Racing World Cup Silvaplana as the fleet drove 6km further up into the mountains to compete on Lake St Moritz. The sunshine was out but the wind never steadied sufficiently for fair racing, so no further… Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS 8 races completed in bright sunshine and winds of 13 to 20 knots Fiona Wylde (USA) shoots to the top of the women's leaderboard Alessandro Tomasi and Mathis Ghio winning their sides of men's qualifying 81.5km of distance covered across the 8 races. A new star rose in the women’s fleet on day two of the Wingfoil Racing World Cup Silvaplana. This is Fiona Wylde’s first World Cup event in IWSA wingfoil racing, so it was understandable that the American rider flew across the Atlantic to… Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS 46 wingfoil racers from 12 countries and 5 continentsShifty, gusty winds of 10 to 20 knots on Silvaplana, 1815 metres above sea levelAlessandro Tomasi wins both long distance racesMaddalena Spanu holds early lead in women’s fleet Two long distance races made for a tough opening day for th riders competing on Lake Silvaplana at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup Ensis Engadinwing by Dakine 2023. In any surroundings the high-speed rabbit start is spectacular. But against the backdrop of the… Read more...

Wind fails to materialise for final dayMaddalena Spanu wins her first World CupWorld Champion Mathis Ghio continues his winning streakFinal qualifying spots decided for ANOC World Beach Games in Bali Maddalena Spanu (ITA) and Mathis Ghio (FRA) were crowned champions after the breeze failed to materialise for the final day of the Pascucci WingFoil Racing World Cup Campione del Garda 2023. Read more...

One qualifying round completed for the men before the morning wind fadesGroup wins for two French and two ItaliansFading breeze results in women’s race being abandonedTight qualifying battle for places at ANOC World Beach Games in Bali Day three of the Pascucci WingFoil Racing World Cup Campione del Garda 2023 saw the 77 riders get up early again to catch the best of the Pelèr morning breeze. Read more...

77 riders compete off one moving start line for the long distance raceWorld Champion Mathis Ghio wins the raceMaddalena Spanu is first woman, while her brother Nicolo is second in the menA second long distance race is started but later abandoned as wind fails Day two of the Pascucci WingFoil Racing World Cup Campione del Garda 2023 was one for the Spanu family to remember. With all 77 riders starting from one rabbit start for the 30-minute long distance race, Maddalena Spanu won the women’s… Read more...

After a day of very little breeze on Lake Garda, the fleet will have to wait another day to begin the long distance race in the Pascucci WingFoil Racing World Cup Campione del Garda 2023. The 77 riders woke up not long after dawn to catch the best of the morning breeze from the north of the lake, the Pelèr. This was the breeze that delivered four hours of good winging on the previous morning, but day one of competition was not blessed with the same strength or consistency of wind, neither from… Read more...

The first ever WingFoil Racing Europeans concluded on Sunday at Artemis beach, on the east shore of Athens. Reigning world champion Mathis Ghio (FRA) and new appearance Nia Suardiaz (ESP) walked away with the European titles. 35 wingers from 11 countries came to Artemis beach, one of the best water sports venues in the Athens region, at the premises of the Athens Watersports Club, to take part at the event which was also the continental qualification of Europe for the ANOC World Beach Games… Read more...

Over 35 wingers from 11 countries are ready to begin their challenge of the women’s and men’s titles at the 2023 WingFoil Racing Europeans in Athens. Taking place from 26 to 30 April on Artemis beach, one of the best water sports venues in the Athens region, the event will award tickets for a woman and a man to compete at the ANOC World Beach Games which will be held in Bali later this summer and will be an important marker to gauge how equipment and techniques are progressing in this young and… Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS - Lack of wind meant no racing on the final day - Reigning world champions take the top of the podium in Abu Dhabi - Paula Novotna wins the women’s fleet - Mathis Ghio wins the men’s fleet Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS - Eight short course races completed in 9 to 11 knots of wind - Which gear to choose is the big dilemma in light winds - Paula Novotna wins 5 out of 8 races in the women’s fleet - Mathis Ghio’s 6 race victories put the Frenchman in the lead Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS - Six short course races completed in 11 to 14 knots of warm wind- Karolina Kluszczynska wins two races but Paula Novotna holds women’s lead- A perfect 6 bullets brings Mathis Ghio level for the lead with Luca Franchi Six short course races in one afternoon, it was a busy second day of competition at the Ad Ports Group Wingfoil Racing World Cup Abu Dhabi. In the women’s fleet, new girl on the block Karolina Kluszczynska (POL) took a couple of races away from the reigning world… Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS - Long Distance race opens the competition, and sees multiple lead changes- Luca Franchi overtakes the world champion for the winner’s gun- Women’s world champion Paula Novotna comes through for a late win Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS - First Wingfoil Racing World Cup event in the United Arab Emirates- Reigning World Champions ready to defend their world titles- A chance to check in on latest technique and technical developments Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS - Hong Kong claims both gold medals at the first ever WingFoil Racing Asians- Pattaya delivers again- Mixed backgrounds reveal potential for further development Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS - 2 long distance races, sunshine and smiles- 6 female and 16 male competitors registered- ANOC World Beach Games Tickets up for grabs Read more...

It was the end of qualifying, and day 3’s racing finally produced a change in the men’s leaderboard at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Jericoacoara. Mathis Ghio (FRA) claims the top spot for the first time. Paula Novotná (CZE) continues to lead the women although three race wins in the morning session is proof that Orane Ceris (FRA) is closing the gap on the World No.1 rider. HEADLINES Sunshine and strong north-easterly winds of 16 to 22 knots Top three men separated by less than a… Read more...

HEADLINES Sunshine and strong north-easterly winds of 16 to 22 knots Riders are aching after eight short course races in a day Paula Novotná (CZE) leads the women, but Orane Ceris (FRA) closes the gap Perfect 8-ball from Mathis Ghio (FRA) in the men’s qualifying When she came ashore after the second of two four-race sessions on the water, Orane Ceris (FRA) couldn’t even remember how many races she had won. “I won one race today,” she said. “No, you won two!” said her arch rival Paula Novotná… Read more...

In the women’s fleet Paula Novotná (CZE) ran away with day one of competition at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Jericoacoara. It’s much closer in the men’s fleet with Bastian Escofet (FRA) topping the leaderboard, although only by the skin of his teeth. HEADLINES Sunshine and strong easterly winds of 18 to 22 knots Rabbit start and long distance race gets the competition underway Four back-to-back short course races in the afternoon leaves riders tired but happy Paula Novotná (CZE) dominates… Read more...

World Sailing has partnered with the International Wing Sports Association (IWSA) and the Global Wingsports Association (GWA) to support the development of one of the fastest growing sailing disciplines. Under a new governance structure for the sport, World Sailing will endorse two Wingfoil world tours to cater to the fast-growing Wingfoiling community and provide the best platform for sailors across the globe. A Racing World Tour delivered by the IWSA which will crown world champions for the… Read more...

It’s the eve of competition for around 60 riders from around the world who have converged on Brazil’s watersports capital, Jericoacoara Beach, for the final of the World Cup Series which also serves as Pan-American and Brazilian Wingfoil Championship. HEADLINES • Brazilian riders ready to put up a fight against the international competitors • Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA) and Paula Novotná (CZE) are in Jeri to see if they can add world titles to their European titles • Strong trade winds expected… Read more...

Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA) and Paula Novotná (CZE) have won the men’s and women’s fleets after a stormy finale to the Sabfoil Wingfoil Racing World Cup & Open European Championships on Lake Garda in Italy. HEADLINES Strong northerly winds of 15 to 20 knots Upwind starts put the wingfoilers fully to the test on 5 minute short courses Francesco Cappuzzo has an amazing comeback to win the men’s title Paula Novotná wins 5 straight bullets to dominate the women’s competition Read more...

Not enough wind on Lake Garda meant no racing for day three of the 2022 Sabfoil Wingfoil Racing World Cup & Open European Championships in Italy. Saturday is the final day of competition when the men’s fleet is split into gold, silver and bronze fleets while the women continue to race together in their own group. Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS Four short-course slalom races completed in quick morning session 8 to 13 knots of northerly Peller wind Czech rider Paula Novotná takes hold of the women’s competition Frenchman Mathis Ghio carves his way into the overall lead Gear choice is the neverending dilemma for all riders Paula Novotná (CZE) and Mathis Ghio (FRA) have moved into the overall women’s and men’s lead on day two of the 2022 Sabfoil Wingfoil Racing World Cup & Open European Championships on Lake Garda, Italy. Read more...

HIGHLIGHTS Two long-distance races completed Close battles at the front, riders finishing within seconds of each other Francesco Cappuzzo from Sicily wins both long distance races Ellie Aldridge from Great Britain leads the women’s field Read more...

ANOC, NOC Indonesia and World Sailing have confirmed that the exciting discipline of Wingfoil Racing will be added to ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023, replacing Kiteboarding on the programme. Following a review of the venue and the weather conditions during the recent International Federation (IF) Technical Delegate (TD) meeting in Bali, a change from Kiteboard to Wingfoil was deemed necessary in order to ensure a successful competition. Wingfoil is a fast-growing area of the sport of sailing… Read more...

Italian Alessandro Jose Tomasi won gold with an impressive display of speed and light wind abilitis, leapfrogging Balz Mueller from Switzerland and day one leader Mathis Ghio from France who had to settle for silver and bronze respectively. And while the men’s fleet saw different faces leading along the four days of the event, in the women’s fleet, Olivia Piana from France left no doubt about her domination, easily winning all her races. Orane Ceris and Marion Mattia, also from France, were… Read more...

The first ISWA WingFoil Euro Cup crowned it's champions today, with Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA) taking the win with a perfect score ahead of Riccardo Zorzi (ITA) and Pietro Leon Kiaulehn (ITA). 12 short-track course races were run over the course of the three day competition, with the final day being purely dedicated to the new Airstyle discipline, combining trick elements from windsurf and kiteboard freestyle. The race track reminds of a square - with a reaching start to Mark 1, a downwind leg, a… Read more...

Over the past 2 years, a new discipline of sailing called "Wing Foil" has emerged. Winging can be see as a crossover between windsurfing, kiteboarding, sailing and standup paddling, and the current participants in the sport are coming equally from these communities. While the sport is still in his infancy, there is a strong demand from stakeholders around the world to organize and govern the sport properly from the very beginning to ensure safe and fair competition in compliance with the… Read more...