2022 Wingfoil Racing World Cup Jericoacoara

2022 Wingfoil Racing World Cup Jericoacoara - Day 1

by Andy Rice 16 Dec 2022 02:14 PST 15-18 December 2023

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.

The fleet gets ready to race - 2022 Wingfoil Racing World Cup Jericoacoara - Day 1 - photo © IWSA / Jeri Wingfoil Cup

Long distance challenge

The riders were a little daunted by the prospect of a long-distance race at midday, but once they had launched out of the rabbit start and reaching to the first mark, all fears were forgotten.

As well as being a race in its own right, the long-distance competition was a chance for race officer Mirco Babini to organise the 42 men into three equally balanced qualifying groups, while the 13 women would compete in their own group.

Bastian Escofet happy after a big day - 2022 Wingfoil Racing World Cup Jericoacoara - Day 1 - photo © IWSA / Jeri Wingfoil Cup

Super stoked superwoman

Paula Novotná (CZE) confirmed her status as favourite in the women's division, winning all five of her races today, while Orane Ceris (FRA) from New Caledonia notched up a string of second places. "I'm super stoked with today's racing," smiled Novotná.

"The conditions were really great. Sometimes the sea weed was a problem but I am learning how to jump the board. I had some crashes but was able to come back from them and still win."

Paula Novotna had a perfect 5 from 5 - 2022 Wingfoil Racing World Cup Jericoacoara - Day 1 - photo © IWSA / Jeri Wingfoil Cup

Tight at the top

Bastian Escofet (FRA) had proved his potential by winning the long distance race and went on to dominate his qualifying group with three bullets from four races, only faltering in the last heat of the session when he crashed due to catching weed on his foil.

Even more consistent in the short-course racing were two other riders - Mathis Ghio (FRA) and Alessandro Tomasi (ITA) - who dominated their qualifying groups with three wins and a second place. Escofet's superior performance gives him a narrow lead in the overall rankings, although just 0.4 points ahead of his fellow Frenchman Ghio.

Christmas jumper

Escofet had good speed but said that his Olympic campaigning background was also coming into play on the race track. "I was four years competing on the RS:X windsurfer and so I have a lot of race experience and my tactics were helping when I was close to other riders today. Good speed and tactics were both factors."

Escofet has also spent many weeks in Jeri enjoying some warm weather training in the venue. The unusual amount of weed in the water is creating its own challenges but Escofet's time at the venue has enabled him to develop an effective technique for jumping the board and shaking off the unwanted organism from his carbon fibre foil.

Sick boy

Italian and French riders are occupying the top 11 places overall, with Gunnar Biniasch (GER) the next best in 12th overall. Just behind the top Brazilian, Kauli Seadi (BRA) is the 19-year-old single entry from Great Britain. Since finishing some way down the fleet at the last World Cup two months ago in Lake Garda, Rafferty Read (GBR) has upped his game in leaps and bounds. "I came away from Garda wanting to do a bit better here," he said.

"I came sixth in the long-distance race which was sick! So I was really looking forward to the afternoon, and I was really good on the upwind legs, reaching the top mark in the top three. I was really banging it out but the downwinds were a different story. I was just stacking it every time. Two crashes in every race! It's like so annoying but I absolutely love it. It's been a really good fun day."

To club or not to club...

In the evening, as the sun set over Jericoacoara Beach, the competitors relaxed with some cool drinks and shared their war stories while live music played at Vila Kalango. Friday sees a continuation of the short-course qualifying races and every rider will be looking to improve their performance in this rapidly developing watersport.

Later in the evening there is the temptation of free entry at one of the most stylish nightclubs of Jericoacoara, Nox Restô. Will going late-night clubbing help with performance on tomorrow's race course? That's another question that some will consider, and others will ignore.

Racing continues at 1200 hours local time on Friday 16 December, with the competition reaching its climax on Sunday 18 December.