GWA Wingfoil World Cup Ibiraquera 2024 - Preview
by Ian MacKinnon 18 Oct 2024 09:11 PDT
19-26 October 2024
Bowien Van Der Linden © Svetlana Romantsova
The third and final round of GWA Wingfoil World Tour in the pure surfing Wave discipline is set to return to Brazil, where the world champions will be crowned at the conclusion of the event.
A 30-strong fleet from 10 countries around the world will battle for the men's and women's world titles when the tour makes its debut appearance at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Ibiraquera.
After the second stop in Dakhla, Morocco, France's Malo Guénolé slipped to sceond the rankings after he was sent out in a shock defeat in Round 3. Cash Berzolla (USA), who was beaten by Guénolé in the final at the season opener in Cape Verde, took the win in Dakhla and tops the standings.
Tough position
Reigning world champion, Cape Verde's Wesley Brito, was in a tough spot if he is to retain his crown after a slow start on home waters. He was again sent out early in Dakhla and another title looks out of reach.
The Maui-based Canadian Finn Spencer moved up the rankings to third overall after a strong finish in Dakhla. But a host of other athletes with huge experience, like the French trio of Benoit Carpentier, Hugo Marin, and Tom Auber have the capability of challenging the top three, which will spice things up in Ibiraquera.
Another Frenchman, Axel Gerard, still only 16, has also shown he the potential to upset the order. Corsican Noé Cuyala (FRA) is another who will likely find himself in the mix if the conditions suit.
Eyes on the prize
On the women's side, Spain's Elena Moreno, is riding high at the head of the order after taking two wins from two, including victory at the first Wave stop in Cape Verde. In the process she beat reigning world champion, Moona Whyte (USA), who will miss the rest of the season as she decided to step back from competition after Cape Verde.
Former Surf-Freestyle world champion, Bowien van der Linden (NED) moved up the rankings to number two as the beaten finalist in Dakhla and is one to watch in the Ibiraquera finale.
Another Spaniard, 17-year-old Nia Suardiaz, who holds three wingfoil world titles, has her sights on another crown. She is currently ranked third overall after her third place on the podium in Dakhla.
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