Three times Wingfoil Racing World Cup champion Mathis Ghio of France has won the
season opener inDakhla, 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.
Ghio needed just one race to clinch the final but anuncharacteristic fall in the first race of
the Men’s finalmeant 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.
© IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk: Julien Rattoti [FRA], the biggest climber of the day
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.
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
theswitch 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 eventtakes 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
NEXT EVENTS
Formula Wing Europeans
20 – 24 May 2025
Urla [TUR]
World Cup Switzerland
11 – 15 June 2025
Silvaplana [SUI]
Text Credits: IWSA Media
Photo Credits: IWSA Media / Robert Hajduk
Video Credits: IWSA Media
To keep up to date with 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Morocco, please
visit wingfoilracing.com or follow on:
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