Wingfoil racing crowns its African King and Queen

Three times Wingfoil Racing World Cup champion Mathis Ghio of France has won the season opener in Dakhla, Morocco. The women’s competition was claimed by the 2024 series silver medallist Maddalena Spanu of Italy. Both gave dominant performances that will act as an ominous warning to their fellow competitors.

© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk: Mathis Ghio [FR] and Maddalena Spanu [ITA] win in Dakhla

Ghio needed just one race to clinch the final but an uncharacteristic fall in the first race of the Men’s final meant Ghio was taken to a nerve-racking second race.

The Frenchman came top in qualifying but was pushed hard by Poland’s Kamil Manowiecki and Italian Francesco Cappuzzo. It renews last season’s rivalries and sets up a mouthwatering 2025 series.

Ghio’s compatriot and fellow Cote D’Azur resident Julien Rattotti had a crazy up and down event as he tried to master his new wing. Having switched to Italian manufacturer Zaoli he struggled in qualifying, only just making it to the medal series in 9th place and only thanks to a count-back. Rattotti is first to admit he dislikes strong winds, yet today in 30 knots, he fought his way from the Repechage to the Final to finish fourth overall. Resilience and perseverance were the name of the game for.

One of the favourites to finally steal Ghio’s crown is Kamil Manowiecki. Despite pushing his rival all the way last year the Pole had to accept World Cup silver. He’s determined that won’t happen again. In the final he took advantage when Ghio crashed off his foil to take the win and square the score. Undeterred, Ghio returned to shore, changed his foil rake and won the next race and with it the title.

© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk: Maddalena Spanu [ITA] happy to start the season with a win

Maddalena Spanu won every race in the women’s competition. Last year’s World Cup champion Nia Suardiaz was missing in Dakhla but is expected to make a return to the circuit later in the season. Nobody will be happier than Spanu who relishes being challenged. However, the women’s final showcased some great emerging talent. Emilia Kosti of Greece recovered from a fall in the early stages of the race to fightback and take second. Just behind her was Anais Mai Desjardins of France who only recently made the switch from Kites to Wing but her performances improved exponentially through the week.

Dakhla at the southern tip of Morocco proved a fine venue for Wingfoil racing’s African debut. The desert sands meet the Atlantic here and the winds generated are consistent and strong – it was a perfect early-season test for the 43 riders. The next World Cup event takes us to Silvaplana in Switzerland – no desert wind but plenty of mountain breeze.

RESULTS MEN

1. Mathis Ghio FRA
2. Kamil Manowiecki POL
3. Nicolo Spanu ITA
4. Julien Rattotti FRA
5. Francesco Cappuzzo ITA
6. Oscar Leclair FRA
7. Alessandro Jase Tomasi ITA
8. Jeremiah McDonald NZL
9. Bastien Escofet FRA
10. Romain Ghio FRA

RESULTS WOMEN

1. Maddalena Maria Spanu ITA
2. Emilia Kosti GRE
3. Anais Mai Desjardins FRA
4. Iset Segura Santaeularia ESP
5. Vaina Picot FRA
6. Karolina Kluszczynska POL
7. Katarzyna Trautman POL
8. Charlotte Baruzzi ITA
9. Cindy Robert-Mauron SUI
10. Aabir Ouabou MAR

MORE INFO AND FULL RESULTS