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2024 WingFoil Racing World Cup China: Day 2 Highlights
19-26 August 2024
Nia Suardiaz and Maddalena Spanu showcased their exceptional skills, dominating their women’s qualifying groups on Day 2 of the WingFoil Racing World Cup China.
The competition was fierce as the two leading women each achieved a flawless record with perfect wins in five short-course races, despite the uncertainty felt by them and the rest of the 113 participants racing from Pingtan Island.
The day’s racing was split into morning and afternoon sessions, and many riders struggled with the change in wind conditions following the lunchtime break. Choosing the right size wing proved especially challenging today.
Strategic Wing Choices
Great Britain’s Rafferty Read made a quick decision to change to a larger wing for added power in the lighter breeze. “This morning on the beach, it didn’t seem windy, but out on the race course, it was breezy,” he explained. “In the afternoon, it felt windy on the beach, but it was lighter on the course. I rushed back to switch to a bigger wing and ended up finishing with a second place, so it was probably a good choice.”
French competitor Bastien Escofet shared similar experiences, describing how he changed from a 5.0-metre wing to a 5.5-metre wing during a break between races. Although he missed the start of the next race by a minute, his adjustment allowed him to recover and finish strong, even winning the last race in lighter winds.
Mathis Ghio opted for consistency, using his 6.5-metre wing throughout both sessions. The double World Champion reported, “In the morning, the wind was strong, so I had to handle it carefully. In the afternoon, my choice paid off as conditions suited my wing.” He noted, “I wanted to stay on par with others in my fleet.”
Even top contenders faced challenges. Ghio’s brother, Romain, mentioned that making minor mistakes can have significant consequences in the race. “I managed to compete closely with Mathis on various legs, but I couldn’t match his speed on the reaches.”
Racing Dynamics
Ghio wasn’t the only one to run into trouble; he hit a plastic bag during a race that cost him the lead to Italy’s Nicolo Spanu. “I removed the plastic from my front wing and tried to close the gap but couldn’t quite catch him,” he remarked. Despite difficulties, Kamil Manowiecki from Poland and Francesco Cappuzzo from Italy also won five out of six heats, finishing strong in their respective races. Cappuzzo shared his strategy: “I focused on relaxing and enjoying the day, and it paid off.”
The talent on display has significantly improved over the past two years, with many competitors from China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Chinese Taipei pushing the limits. Hong Kong’s Wai Yan Gai is currently fifth in the women’s fleet, with China’s Meijuan Xiao closely behind.
Every race day at the WingFoil Racing World Cup is a new learning experience, and the lighter winds predicted for Friday will present new challenges for the riders.
Results: Men
- 1. Mathis Ghio, FRA – 4.5 pts
- 2. Kamil Manowiecki, POL – 5.0 pts
- 3. Francesco Cappuzzo, ITA – 5.5 pts
Results: Women
- 1. Nia Suardiaz, ESP – 5 pts
- 2. Maddalena Spanu, ITA – 6 pts
- 3. Karolina Kluszczynska, POL – 12 pts
For more information and detailed results, visit sail-world.com.
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Sarah Mitchell, an experienced sailor and marine journalist from Sydney, has nurtured a love for the ocean throughout her life. After earning a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Sydney, Sarah quickly made a name for herself with her compelling and vivid storytelling. Her work captures the thrill of sailing and the unique culture of maritime life, making her a respected figure in the sailing community. Outside of writing, Sarah spends her time exploring Australia’s stunning coastlines and competing in local regattas, always on the lookout for her next great adventure.
