Copa Kitley GWA Wingfoil World Cup 2024 in Jericoacoara, Brazil – Preview
by Ian MacKinnon 25 Nov 02:32 PST
26–30 November 2024
Copa Kitley GWA Wingfoil World Cup © Svetlana Romantsova
The GWA Wingfoil World Tour is scheduled to arrive in Brazil for the final event, with title competitions in the Freefly-Slalom discipline still up for grabs following the initial rounds.
The Copa Kitley GWA Wingfoil World Cup Brazil will also feature the fourth and final leg of the Surf-Freestyle discipline, where champions Nia Suardiaz from Spain and Christopher MacDonald from the United States will be officially declared.
Suardiaz and MacDonald secured their titles after the last Surf-Freestyle event in Fuerteventura, Spain, where they each achieved a clean sweep of three victories in three events, thus guaranteeing them the 2024 crowns.
For Suardiaz and MacDonald, entering the victory laps in Jericoacoara, Brazil signifies consecutive wins in the Surf-Freestyle world titles.
Large pool of riders
The impressive 17-year-old Suardiaz aims to repeat her consecutive titles in FreeFly-Slalom, adding to her GWA Wingfoil World Tour Big Air world title.
A diverse group of 28 male and 13 female contestants is expected to compete in Surf-Freestyle, while no fewer than 30 men and 14 women will vie in FreeFly-Slalom. In total, these competitors will represent 20 countries worldwide during the GWA wingfoil debut in Jericoacoara.
The Freefly-Slalom titles remain contested in Brazil, with current world champions Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA) and Nia Suardiaz leading after the first two events in Leucate, France, in April, and Fuerteventura in July.
Nonetheless, Cappuzzo will face challenges if he hopes to secure consecutive titles. In Fuerteventura, he made a comeback in the finals to clinch the win.
On the chase
France’s Julien Rattotti is closely trailing the Italian on the leaderboard, with Bastien Escofet (FRA), Riccardo Zorzi (ITA), and Alessandro Tomasi (ITA) all in proximity.
In the women’s FreeFly-Slalom title competition, numerous riders are putting pressure on Suardiaz. France’s Kylie Belloeuvre is merely a few points behind in the overall standings, while Bowien van der Linden (NED), Mar de Arce (ESP), and Orane Ceris (FRA) could all narrow the gap if the Spanish champion falters.
In Jericoacoara’s kickers and strong winds, the Surf-Freestyle event will be exceptionally exciting. Meanwhile, the FreeFly-Slalom in Jeri’s bay, characterized by flat waters and gusty winds, promises an abundance of thrills, spills, and drama. Join here for all the action.
