After over 10 years as a professional kiteboarder and now wingfoiling athlete, Czech Paula Novotna claimed her first world title at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Tarifa on Friday morning in a final against season-long rival, Nia Suardiaz.
On the Men’s side, 15-year-old Xavi Corr gained his first ever event win in a spectacular final against Malo Guenole.
Women’s eliminations
The final was an outstanding demonstration of riding from both Nia Suardiaz and Paula Novotna, showing just how much this sport has progressed in such a short time. Paula has been competing in kiteboarding for over 10 years, having achieved top podium positions for many years. All of her experience really showed through yesterday. She was fully focussed and put on one of the strongest performances we have seen from her.
The Czech rider pulled out a toeside frontside 3 and a frontside 3, gaining solid scores. Solid and safe, but not unbeatable.
Nia followed through with the same tricks, but fell slightly short, unable to replicate Paula’s consistency, which was key. The buzzer went off to close the heat, and Paula Novotna officially became our 2022 GWA Wingfoil Surf-Freestyle World Champion.
Men’s eliminations
The younger generation have absolutely dominated this event from the start, and our two finalists, Xavi Corr aged 15, and Malo Guenole aged 17, are the perfect example of the new fleet of athletes who are blowing away the competition.
Both riders were clearly hungry for the win here in Tarifa. Malo opened with his classic massive backflip scoring 7.2 points. Xavi responded with a backflip of his own, scoring very slightly lower. They continued pushing trick for trick, each one alternatively taking the lead.
As it came down to the final moments, Xavi took a slight lead, while Malo crashed three valuable trick attempts. He went for a frontside 3 to secure 5.23 points, but it just was not enough. Xavi went all in with a massive frontside 7 to seal the deal scoring 8.37 points and making him the official winner for the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Tarifa Surf-Freestyle discipline at just 15 years of age.
Gemma Hamaini
