Sol WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil Day 1
by Andy Rice 3 Dec 16:26 PST
3-7 December 2024
Jumping for joy in Jericoacoara – Sol WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil © IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk
Three long-distance races in a single day were uncharted waters for every competitor in the final event of the season, the Sol WingFoil Racing World Cup Brazil.
Many athletes have spent several days or even weeks training in Jericoacoara leading up to this five-day contest hosted by the luxurious eco-resort, Vila Kalango.
Iset Segura, a Spanish competitor, is experiencing Jeri for the first time. “It’s like paradise here; every day has been windy,” she said. “You couldn’t ask for more than what we have here.”
Not as windy, but still decent conditions!
Of course, as it often happens when a regatta starts, the expected 25 to 30 knots of warm Equatorial wind ebb slightly, with the day providing a ‘light wind’ day defined by a 13 to 15 knot breeze. Still, that’s nothing to complain about.
Italian rider Francesco Cappuzzo felt the lighter winds before heading down the beach. “I went out with my 6.5m wing, and it turned out to be the right choice,” he reflected. “The first two races had some patchy breeze, and we had to pump the board a lot. It was tough on the legs and mind, and I messed up all three of my starts today, so I had some ground to make up during the races. But I scored 1, 2, 3, so it was definitely a positive day.”
Go big, or face the consequences!
Cappuzzo has been pushing himself during training to be able to tack or gybe without warning. “I think that really helped me today. I was able to tack at the right moments, granting me a significant edge. Also, with the seaweed present, we have to do a lot of jumping to clear our foils. However, as a freestyler, I’m accustomed to jumping, which is benefiting me on the racecourse compared to others who may not feel as confident in their jumps.”
In contrast, top French racer Mathis Ghio admitted he made an incorrect decision with his wing selection for the first race. “I initially went out with a smaller wing, which left me extremely underpowered. I expended all my energy pumping to keep up, and the first race turned out to be very taxing.” The reigning World Champion focuses heavily on his fitness, and the 45-minute breaks between the three races allowed Ghio to regroup and switch to a larger wing. After placing fifth in the first race, he won the next and secured second in the final race of the day.
Speed to spare!
Kamil Manowiecki won the final heat and is now tied in scores with Ghio and Cappuzzo, though the Polish athlete is leading the standings due to the tiebreak. “My speed was excellent today, which helped me recover even after a poor start in the second race,” Manowiecki noted. “I nearly fell at the first mark while gybing, but I managed to get back up to third from nearly 15th, so I’m pleased with my performance.”
While Ghio has previously won in Jericoacoara, this is Manowiecki’s first experience in this stunning locale. “When I arrived, I was in awe; it’s a breathtaking paradise,” he exclaimed. “I thought, why am I here for training? This is a place meant for relaxation and enjoying the city and beach. But the sea and wind are also fantastic for training, and I’ve been putting in hard work to adapt to racing through the seaweed. I see the seaweed as an advantage as it helps me gain over others who may not be familiar with it.”
Freestyle technique helps
In the women’s competition, Nia Suardiaz is leveraging her freestyle skills to navigate the racecourse, jumping as needed, although she admits to a fear of falling. “I dislike the seaweed as I struggle significantly out there. But I try not to focus on it too much and feel pretty optimistic after today. I thought I would be more fatigued after the three extensive races, but I came ashore with more energy than anticipated.”
Kristyna Chalupnikova is relatively new to the Wingfoil Racing World Cup, yet the Czech rider is making swift advancements. “Being in Jeri for the first time, with the sea, sun, and sand, truly feels like paradise. Today was quite a challenge, but I really enjoyed it and am excited for tomorrow’s short-course races. It’s a different type of racing, and I learn so much each time we compete.”
#ProtectJeri
One of the objectives of hosting the Wingfoil Racing World Cup is to showcase Jericoacoara’s stunning beauty and allure to a global audience. However, Paolo Piatti, co-founder of Vila Kalango, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, also emphasizes the need for responsible ecotourism. He addressed the riders during the morning briefing: “Last year I asked you to help share Jeri’s beauty,” he said. “This year, I urge you to assist in protecting our people, our community, and Jericoacoara’s natural beauty.” #ProtectJeri
Results after Day 1:
Men
1. Kamil Manowiecki POL
2. Mathis Ghio FRA
3. Francesco Cappuzzo ITA
4. Julien Rattotti FRA
5. Alessandro Jose’ Tomasi ITA
6. Nicolo Spanu ITA
7. Bastien Escofet FRA
8. Luca Franchi ITA
9. Oscar Leclair FRA
10. Romain Ghio FRA
Women
1. Nia Suardiaz ESP
2. Maddalena Spanu ITA
3. Orane Ceris FRA
4. Iset Segura ESP
5. Karolina Kluszczynska POL
6. Marta Monge ITA
7. Mar De Arce Sanchez ESP
8. Bowien Van Der Linden NED
9. Jelena Duwe GER
10. Jette Koep GER
For more details and complete results, please visit https://wingfoilracing.com/2024europeans.
