GWA Wingfoil Race Class European Championships - Overall
by Gemma Hamaini 19 Jul 2022 01:17 AEST
14-17 July 2022
GWA Wingfoil Race Class European Championships final day © John Markantonis
The wind took a while to kick in on the final day of the GWA Wingfoil Race Class European Championships at Kritika Beach in Rhodes, Greece, yesterday, but the thermal winds did indeed kick in at 2pm allowing further elimination races and a final result: crowning two new European Champions, Mathis Ghio and Nia Suardiaz.
Women's Open Class
Paula Novotna (CZE) and Nia Suardiaz (ESP) had been neck and neck all event long and Sunday threw up yet another close race between these two leading female wing racers.
Four very entertaining eliminations were completed on the final day (Sunday) with leads changing hands in each race, often with the winner only emerging on the final blast for the line.
We have seen some exceptional riding from the women this week, and the ongoing battle between Nia and Paula added a whole new dimension to it all.
"I'm so happy to win here in Greece," said Nia. "I really hope to be able to come back here again to compete next year."
Women's final standings 2022
1st: Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
2nd: Paula Novotna (CZE)
3rd: Kylie Belloeuvre (FRA)
Men's Open Class
We have seen some very tight races in Rhodes, and the men have pushed through all conditions to give a spectacular show.
Luca Franchi and Francesco Cappuzzo put up brave performances throughout the week, but couldn't rein in the lead Mathis Ghio had built up. Even though he finished second in the final race, once the evet discard was counted with no further races possible, the Frenchman had his first GWA Wingfoil Race Class European title.
Men's final standings 2022
1st: Mathis Ghio (FRA)
2nd: Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA)
3rd: Bastien Escofet (FRA)
U16 / U19 / Masters
After six eliminations for the U16, U19 and Masters categories, the overall results are:
U16
1st Xavier Corr (ESP)
2nd Axel Gerard (FRA)
3rd Bobo Gallagher (USA)
U19
1st Riccardo Zorzi (ITA)
2nd Luca Franchi (ITA)
3rd Petros Kontarinis (GRC)
Masters
1st Benjamin Billarant (FRA)
2nd Giorgios Tampuris (GREC)
3rd Pawel Bielinski (POL)