Abu Dhabi to host first-ever GWA Wingfoil World Cup finale at Fahid Island
by Ian MacKinnon 14 Oct 2025 06:56 NZDT
28 October - 2 November 2025
Abu Dhabi to host first-ever GWA Wingfoil World Cup finale at Fahid Island © Svetlana Romantsova
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, will make history this autumn as it hosts the GWA Wingfoil World Cup for the very first time, serving as the grand finale of the 2025 FreeFly Slalom season.
The event will see the sport's top athletes descend on Fahid Island from 28 October to 2 November to crown the men's and women's world champions.
This milestone event forms part of the Fahid Island Watersports Festival, powered by a landmark partnership between Aldar, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, AD Ports Group and the GWA Wingfoil World Tour. The event reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a world-class hub for sport, adventure, and lifestyle tourism. As master developer of Fahid Island, Aldar is advancing the capital's ambition by activating stretches of its pristine coastline and introducing destinations that combine wellness, sport, and culture.
Leading the charge are two-time defending world champions Nia Suardiaz of Spain and Francesco Cappuzzo of Italy, who head to Abu Dhabi as the ranking leaders. With the season's final stop still wide open, both athletes will need flawless performances to secure their third consecutive titles.
Abu Dhabi's newest coastal destination, Fahid Island, will serve as the venue for six days of high-octane racing during the nine-day festival, which will also crown champions in the SFT Surf Foil World Tour (E-Foil and Wake Foil) and host back-to-back GKA Kite World Cups in Hydrofoil Big Air and Freestyle — including the Freestyle season opener with €110,000 in prize money on the line across all disciplines.
The men's title race promises drama, with French contenders Bastian Escofet and Julien Rattotti tied on points and ready to challenge Cappuzzo, while fellow Italian Alessandro Tomasi remains a strong threat after a standout performance in Fuerteventura's qualifying rounds.
On the women's side, Suardiaz holds the advantage after two straight wins, but France's Kylie Belloeuvre—twice a runner-up this season—will look to turn the tables in Abu Dhabi. Spain's Mar de Arce and Austria's Viola Lippitsch, ranked third and fourth respectively, are also poised to capitalize on any slip from the young Spanish star.
With live global streaming coverage, world-class racing, and a vibrant festival atmosphere, Abu Dhabi is set to deliver a thrilling conclusion to the wingfoil season and elevate Fahid Island as a must-visit destination for watersports.
Finely poised
Abu Dhabi is keen to develop the area as a watersports' hub for the wider UAE community and international enthusiasts who, it hopes, will flock to the Gulf's warm waters and steady breezes.
Staging the high-profile finish to the wingfoil FreeFly-Slalom year—where the world's best athletes race around technical courses in a series of short, sharp races—will help underline Abu Dhabi's ideal conditions for watersports.
The race for the men's and women's FreeFly-Slalom titles is finely poised, with Suardiaz and Cappuzzo unable to afford any slip-ups if they are to make it a hat-trick of world titles in Abu Dhabi.
Cappuzzo has the French pair of Bastien Escofet and Julien Rattotti, ranked second and third respectively, breathing down his neck. Each of the pursuers sit on equal points after taking a second and third apiece and are within touching distance of the Italian world champion.
Ready to pounce
Just behind in fourth is Italian, Alessandro Tomasi, another who could still win the title. Tomasi put on a strong performance during the qualifying rounds at the last stop in Fuerteventura, but was just outside the running in the all-important finals shootout.
Similarly, Suardiaz has a good lead after winning two events from two. But France's Kylie Belloeuvre is close behind in the rankings after taking two second places. Belloeuvre has shown she has the pace to beat Suardiaz and was frustrated that she could not make it stick in the final in Fuerteventura.
Others like Spain's Mar de Arce and Austria's Viola Lippitsch, who are ranked three and four, are also within touching distance of Suardiaz ready to pounce on any mistake the teenager might make.