New Wingfoil Racing World Cup season takes off in Africa
by IWSA media / Robert Hajduk 19 Mar 2025 16:29 PDT
19-23 March 2025
The WingFoil Racing World Cup visits Africa for the first time - Wingfoil Racing World Cup 2025 © IWSA media / Robert Hajduk
The Wingfoil Racing World Cup has kicked-off a new season by making history. The five days of action are taking place in Dakhla, Morocco - the first time Wingfoil Racing has taken place in Africa. The region, in the south-east of the country, sees the desert meet the Atlantic ocean. The warm breezes are strong and consistent making the area a watersports paradise.
43 athletes from 14 countries are competing in Dakhla. 10 women and 33 men are battling it out for world ranking points and a share of the €15,000 prize pot. 2025 is a big year for Wingfoil Racing with Formula Wing European and World Championships taking place, and the World Cup series is the perfect preparation allowing athletes to test their skills, fitness and equipment against the best in the sport.
Three-times WingFoil Racing world champion Mathis Ghio of France is targeting his fourth title in a row and has worked hard on his training through the winter break but admits the fleet is getting tougher, "It's always more exciting every year because we're looking at a better level of athlete and better performing equipment. We're seeing a lot of new faces on the tour, a lot of youngsters also so that's a great thing for the sport" The 22 year old spent the winter training in his home city Marseille in order to get ahead with his engineering studies but now he's back in racing mode and excited to get the season under way, "I'm looking forward to racing here in Dakhla to find out who worked the hardest over the winter, who worked most on improving their equipment".
Ghio has been training with Italy's Francesco Cappuzzo and tips the 27 year old from Palermo as a strong contender for the World Cup series crown come the final event in Brazil in December. However, both riders will be wary of Poland's blonde sensation Kamil Manowiecki who missed out on the title last year by just 4 points.
The opening day saw the Women's long distance race won by Italy's Maddalena Maria Spanu, one of the favourites for the overall title. Behind her, a dramatic fight was unfolding for second place. Greek youngster Emilia Kosti, sitting second collided with a mark and saw Spain's Iset Segura Santaeularia speed past her to claim second place. Back on shore Emilia hadn't lost her sense of humour, "I'm trying to hide" she said ducking behind her wing before confirming, "Actually the racing was great fun".
There was lots of drama before the Men's race had even started. Romain Ghio fell during warm-up and was hit by Czech Stepan Benes. The Frenchman returned to shore with a smashed wing and had to borrow another one from a fellow competitor. "The wing was only 6m so I was very slow. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow because the forecast is light. I'm hoping a friend can lend me a bigger wing." Despite the mishap, Romain finished 11th in the fleet of 33 riders.
The Moroccan fans had plenty to cheer with four local riders battling hard in both the mens' and womens' races.
Thursday sees 8 short track races planned with a forecast for light breeze.
Results Men
1. Kamil Manowiecki POL
2. Julien Rattotti FRA
3. Mathis Ghio FRA
4. Francesco Cappuzzo ITA
5. Bastien Escofet FRA
6. Oscar Leclair FRA
7. Mateo Dussarps FRA
8. Luca Franchi ITA
9. Alessandro Jose Tomasi ITA
10. Ernesto De Amicis ITA
Results Women
1. Maddalena Maria Spanu ITA
2. Iset Segura Santaeularia ESP
3. Emilia Kosti GRE
4. Anais Mai Desjardins FRA
5. Karolina Kluszczynska POL
6. Vaina Picot FRA
7. Katarzyna Trautman POL
8. Charlotte Baruzzi ITA
9. Cindy Robert-Mauron SUI
10. Aabir Ouabou MAR
More info and full results available here.