Nia Suardiaz and Ancor Sosa claim victories at indoor World Cup thriller hosted by Boot Düsseldorf

by Ian MacKinnon 20 Jan 05:24 PST 16-18 January 2026

Spain's Nia Suardiaz and Ancor Sosa grabbed wins at the novel indoor wingfoil World Cup in thrilling action at Boot Düsseldorf, the world's largest boat show which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors.

The pair clocked the fastest times in the finals on laps of the course to clinch the wins. For multiple world champion Suardiaz, 18, it was her second successive victory at Boot after the indoor World Cup debuted there last year.

For many in the crowds who flocked to Hall 17 of the show and the XXL pool, it was their first chance to see wingfoil action up close. The invitational event featured many of the world's biggest names in wingfoil, with a sprinkling of local favourites in the line-up.

Nia Suardiaz Munzinger's mother is German and she speaks the language, though she grew up in Spain. Munich-based Franz Schlittenbauer is a young athlete on a charge on the men's side, with Switzerland's Balz Müller and Austria's Viola Lippitsch among the sport's biggest stars.

GWA Wingfoil World Cup Düsseldorf - photo © Valentin Böckler

Getting their game dialled

Some of the wingfoil athletes also competed in pump-foil contest of the SFT Surf Foil World Tour, for non-wind powered foil competition which launched at Boot Düsseldorf last year. It enters its second season with more stops around the world coming up in its five disciplines.

The indoor Wingfoil World Cup Düsseldorf is a stand alone competition that does not count towards any of the four world title disciplines. The exciting indoor event played out over three days in the 60×20 metres pool in an individual time-trial.

The 12 men and six women athletes were towed up on to their foils by the overhead cable and used the power of the massive fans lining one side of the pool to complete two or three timed laps of the pool.

The first day was given over to training to enable the athletes a chance to get their game dialled, using a wake cable to tow them up to foiling speed, with huge fans along one side of the pool powering their wings. Pumping their foils for maximum speed was a key element for success.

GWA Wingfoil World Cup Düsseldorf - photo © Valentin Böckler

'It's so special'

Balz Müller, a long-time fixture at Boot Düsseldorf, was excited after his first of training day on the water to hone his riding and explained the special skills needed.

"It's so special; it's pretty unreal," said Müller. "There's a ground effect. As the water is so shallow you feel there is a lot of tension in the water and in your pump. So it's really efficient. I'm freaking excited to race... and have fun with all my friends and the foiling community."

The first day of competition ranked the athletes on their best times over laps of the pool. The top men and women moved to the finals where they were battling for a share of the €5,000 prize purse.

The finals were action-packed with the men doing three laps of the pool and the women two laps. Each had practised their skills, pumping their foils for maximum speed on the heel-side and toe-side runs.

GWA Wingfoil World Cup Düsseldorf - photo © Valentin Böckler

Best qualifying times for the finals—Day 1

Men

1. Balz Müller (SUI) 28.58 secs
2. Alan Fedit (FRA) 28.91 secs
3. Zany Guy (CPV) 29.32 secs
4. Ancor Sosa (ESP) 29.44 secs
5. Wilhelm Christahl (GER) 29.58 secs
6. Franz Schlittenbauer (GER) 29.64 secs
7. Hubert Christahl (GER) 30.03 secs
8. Michael Näf (SUI) 30.95 secs

Women

1. Nia Suardiaz (ESP) 31.95 secs
2. Manon Dupé (FRA) 35.92 secs
3. Viola Lippitsch (AUT) 37.41 secs
4. Bowien van der Linden (NED) 41.04 secs

GWA Wingfoil World Cup Düsseldorf - photo © Valentin Böckler

'Super-sick competition'

In the men's contest, Ancor Sosa leap-frogged in the standings to take first, while Balz Müller took second. Franz Schlittenbauer also moved up to take third.

Sosa said: "I'm really stoked to be here with everyone at the Boot for another year in 2026. It was absolutely amazing, and yes, super-stoked to get first place. I'll see everyone next year."

Nia Suardiaz took her second successive indoor title, with France's Manon Dupé getting second. Viola Lippitsch took the third podium place.

"It's been a sick competition," said Suardiaz. "We've had two days of full-on action in the swimming pool. This event is way different from competing on the ocean in normal wind. It's something super-cool to try out—super-sick. There are so many people coming to watch. I've won for a second year and I'm super-happy and excited."