Wingfoil Racing World Cup Sardinia 2026 - Overall
by IWSA Media 5 Oct 09:12 AEDT
Wingfoil Racing World Cup Sardinia 2026 day 5 © IWSA media / Robert Hajduk
Strong, steady breeze and a testing swell provided the stage for a dramatic Medal Series at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup Sardinia, with Vaina Picot and Sean Herbert claiming victory at the penultimate stop of the season.
Women's Medal Series
In the women's competition, the quarter-final was won by a rider making her racing debut - 19 year old free style specialist Viola Lippitsch. The Austrian took the victory ahead of Anaïs Mai Desjardins, who joined her in the semi-final.
Greek rider Aimilia Kosti, one of the most consistent performers throughout the week, then produced another composed display to win the semi-final. Germany's Jette Koepe finished second to also earn her place in the final.
Waiting for them were the two leading qualifiers, France's Vaina Picot and defending World Cup champion Maddalena Spanu of Italy. The pair started the final closely matched, with Picot following Spanu across the start line. Spanu's advantage disappeared at the top mark when she misjudged her approach, allowing Picot to break clear. The Frenchwoman made the most of the opportunity, extending her lead to claim her third World Cup victory of the season.
"I'm so happy because it was really difficult with all the seaweed today which meant I had to jump a lot to clear it off my foil. But I'm very happy and now bring on Brazil!" - Vaina Picot
Men's Medal Series
As top two qualifiers, New Zealand's Sean Herbert and Italian Alessandro Tomasi, began the Men's final with a bullet each.
They were joined in the final by France's Julien Rattotti and Michele Capitani who was one of the day's standout performers, progressing from the quarter-final all the way to the final. However, by the first mark it looked as if Capitani's form had run out and he rounded in last place. Undaunted, the Italian fought his way back into contention and emerged as leader by the third mark, holding on to the finish to take a memorable bullet.
The result meant Rattotti would start Final 2 as the only rider without a bullet to his name. With nothing to lose Rattotti chose to go it alone off the start line up the right side of the course, a decision that proved decisive. The rider from Nice crossed in front of the others on the approach to the first mark and held the lead to draw the scores level and force a third and deciding race.
This time Herbert, who dominated the leaderboard all week, took control early on. Despite being forced to use a smaller wing after damaging his six-metre earlier in the competition, Herbert won the drag race to the first mark and never looked back. The Aucklander controlled the chasing riders to secure his first World Cup title.
"I've loved the conditions here" he said reflecting on his victory "it reminds me of sailing back home. Ales (Tomasi) has been sailing really well this year so to take my first World Cup win ahead of him is great. I'm really stoked" - Sean Herbert.
Picot now heads to the season finale in Brazil as favourite to wrest the World Cup crown from 2025 champion Spanu after her victory in Sardinia. In the men's series, Tomasi's runner-up finish, combined with Mathis Ghio's failure to progress from the semi-final, leaves the Italian virtually uncatchable at the top of the season standings.
The World Cup season-finale takes place in Jericoacoara on Brazil's north-east coast from 1-5 December.