GWA Wingfoil World Cup Spain 2024 - MacDonald lands back-to-back wins in Spain

by Ian MacKinnon 3 May 08:08 PDT 1-4 May 2024

Axel Gerard, Bastien Escofet, Chris MacDonald and Xavier Corr - GWA Wingfoil World Cup Spain 2024 © Samuel Cardenas

The current Surf-Freestyle world champion, the US's Chris MacDonald, dominated the second call at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Spain to take back-to-back wins in the season's opening stops.

MacDonald, 18, convincingly won the Tarifa Wing Pro at Valdevaqueros, the site where he clinched the GWA Surf-Freestyle crown last year for the first time. Barely a month ago he won the first stop at Mondial du Vent in Leucate, France.

"In Leucate it was more like 60 knots, here we were lucky if it was 22 knots, so, different conditions," said MacDonald. "It was different riding here and I think everyone did really good. I'm just stoked to see the sport evolving and stoked with the win here."

The second day of the Tarifa Wing Pro, which was again hosting the Surf-Freestyle discipline of the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, was down to the last 16 men after Tarifa local, Nia Suardiaz, won the women's event on the opening day.

The quarter-finals were bangers that might have been worthy of a final on any other day. The competition was so intense that there were a few unexpected big name casualites.

France's Alan Fedit made a surprise early exit despite posting some good scores in the Poniente breezes that built to 20 knots. The young Austrian Aleksander Acherer came close to moving to his first semi-final and posted an 8.27 from 10 for a Backmobe, but was just outpointed.

Chris MacDonald - GWA Wingfoil World Cup Spain 2024 - photo © Samuel Cardenas

Surprise faller

In another quarter-final, the young Spaniard, Xavi Corr, was on fire and chalked up the biggest score of the whole competition, 9.97 for a Backmobe 3, that helped him progress.

Another surprise quarter-final faller was Noé Cuyala (FRA). He had taken the second podium step Leucate, but was overhauled by Tomas Acherer (AUT) and Luca Vuillermet (FRA).

The first semi-final was the tightest contest of the competition. Less than a point separated the top three riders.

Clément Hamon (FRA) was unfortunate to lose and see his run ended despite his big Backloop Frontside 3 that earned 9.0. Countryman Axel Gerard, 15, and Xavi Corr (ESP) had got their noses in front and progressed to the final.

The second semi-final was huge. Tomas Acherer was unable repeat the form of his earlier heat despite an 8.90 for a Frontflip Frontside 3. Malo Guénolé was just edged out even though he pocketed 8.73 for an Innovation trick.

That saw Axel Gerard (FRA) and Chris MacDonald join Xavi Corr, 16, and Bastien Escofet (FRA) in the grand final as the Poniente filled in to about 25 knots.

Bastien Escofet - GWA Wingfoil World Cup Spain 2024 - photo © Samuel Cardenas

Shaky start

In the final Xavi Corr was unable to repeat his earlier heroics, in spite of a strong 8.70 for an Innovation move, and ended in fourth. Bastien Escofet seemed to be cruising to the second podium place with a clutch of high-scoring tricks, including 8.87 for a Backmobe, but just came up short.

Axel Gerard suffered a shaky start to the heat after a number of crashes. But his three closing tricks were on the money and he landed a Frontside 10 for 8.43 followed by a Backmobe for 8.53 that helped ease him into second place.

"I finished second here in Tarifa and I'm really stoked because I improved my result from Leucate," said Gerard. "I'm also stoked to finally do a final in Tarifa. I've never been in a final here, so I'm really happy about that. So, I'll definitely be training for the next event."

World champion Chis MacDonald even seemed a little rattled after a couple of early crashes in the heat. But several Innovation tricks—one for 9.23—settled any nerves. He then threw down a Backmobe 3 for 9.43 that sealed the deal.