WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil 2024 – Day 3
by Andy Rice 5 Dec 16:04 PST
3-7 December 2024
An environmental storm brewing over the iconic dune of Jericoacoara – 2024 WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil © IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk
Can we promote tourism in a paradise like Jericoacoara while maintaining environmental sustainability? This is a challenge Paolo Piatti, co-owner of Vila Kalango, has been exploring for the past 25 years.
For the third consecutive year, the top riders from around the world have gathered at Vila Kalango for the Wingfoil Racing World Cup Brazil. “We need your support to protect Jeri,” Piatti urged the participants at the opening ceremony held at Vila Kalango days ago. “As riders, you have clout and credibility. Your widespread connections can help us ensure Jericoacoara preserves its natural allure and avoids unsustainable overdevelopment.”
Black Letter Day
As the competition progresses, Thursday witnessed the completion of eight short-course races in a thrilling afternoon. Several riders incurred black flags during the high-speed reaching starts, crossing the line just a tad early. Among them was the reigning World Champion, Mathis Ghio from France, who faced three disqualifications early on but regained his footing with stronger performance in the later afternoon races.
Francesco Capuzzo emerged as the top performer on one side of the men’s qualifying groups, putting forth a strong finish ahead of Ghio and the rest of the fleet to end the day second overall. Meanwhile, on the other qualifying side, Kamil Manowiecki dominated, achieving six victories from eight races and currently leading the leaderboard as the men’s fleet prepares to split into Gold and Silver Fleet finals for Friday.
Protecting the Wave
In the women’s fleet, Nia Suardiaz showed remarkable dominance, the Spanish teenager winning seven out of eight heats to secure a 10-point lead over reigning World Champion Maddalena Spanu from Italy. Further back in the women’s competition is Josefa Asalgado from Chile, participating in her first international wingfoiling event.
When she isn’t riding ocean waves, Asalgado, an environmental lawyer, works to safeguard those very waves. “In Chile, I collaborate with an organization—Fundacion Rompientes [The Surfbreak Foundation]—dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems, focusing particularly on surf breaks. It’s interesting to find similar challenges here in Jeri. This issue is global for towns with vital conditions for watersports like surfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing, etc.
“These areas are experiencing an influx of visitors. Small towns, once solely fishing communities, are now attracting tourism and growing at rates that outpace regulations. This is a worldwide dilemma, and I hope authorities and individuals can unite to impose some order on this unchecked expansion.”
Responsible Tourism
Asalgado believes Vila Kalango is embracing a sustainable eco-tourism model that honors the local environment. “Vila Kalango takes a commendable stance, aiming to preserve authenticity while voicing concerns about unregulated development. They exemplify actionable steps we can take and stress the importance of raising awareness around these issues before it’s too late.”
So, if tourism leads to overcrowding in a small location like Jericoacoara, how can wingfoiling participants validate their presence compared to other visitors? Paolo Migliorini, an Italian who moved to Brazil years ago and founded a watersports resort—Dr. Wind—near São Miguel do Gostoso, is competing in the men’s fleet at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup. “Different tourist types exist,” Migliorini explains. “Sports tourists like us generally lead healthy lifestyles and respect the environment because, without it, we can’t pursue our passions.
Some Tourists Impact More Than Others
“We maintain a low environmental footprint,” Migliorini continues. “We abstain from drugs and littering; we might enjoy a beer after activities but don’t indulge excessively at night. I have no intention of passing judgment, but tourist types vary, and that’s simply a fact.”
Similar to Migliorini, Paolo Piatti and Marco DalPozzo, co-owners of Vila Kalango, are Italian ex-pats who recognized Jeri’s charm over 25 years ago. “The consistent winds here contribute to the allure of Jeri,” states Piatti, who fell in love with Brazil and decided to settle here. “We designed Vila Kalango sustainably when the concept of sustainability was not widely acknowledged globally.”
Keep the Magic Alive
“We built our rooms without televisions or air conditioning, as the wind in Jeri serves as natural cooling,” Piatti explains. “There was a growing desire for a different tourism model, where people craved a new kind of luxury—an atmosphere of serenity. We’ve proven that an environmentally sustainable business model can also be commercially successful.”
However, there are plans for imposing larger commercial developments in Jeri, which Piatti fears will obliterate its ‘magic.’ “The proposal to introduce large 400-room properties is suitable for some places, but not here. Not in Jeri. We have sand-covered streets instead of pavements, and that contributes to Jeri’s unique charm, which we strive to protect. That’s why we’re enlisting support from our wingfoil riders in this pivotal fight for the essence of Jeri.”
Results Men:
1. Kamil Manowiecki POL
2. Francesco Cappuzzo ITA
3. Mathis Ghio FRA
4. Bastien Escofet FRA
5. Alessandro Jose’ Tomasi ITA
6. Julien Rattotti FRA
7. Oscar Leclair FRA
8. Romain Ghio FRA
9. Nicolo Spanu ITA
10. Jeremiah Mcdonald NZL
Results Women:
1. Nia Suardiaz ESP
2. Maddalena Spanu ITA
3. Orane Ceris FRA
4. Mar De Arce Sanchez ESP
5. Iset Segura ESP
6. Marta Monge ITA
7. Karolina Kluszczynska POL
8. Bowien Van Der Linden NED
9. Paloma Gutierrez BRA
10. Charlotte Baruzzi ITA
For more details and results, click here.
