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2024 WingFoil Racing World Cup China Day 3
19-26 August 2024
Pump foiling on an Armstrong foil when the wind won’t play – 2024 WingFoil Racing World Cup China, Day 3 © IWSA media / Robert Hajduk
Even if the wind refused to join in with the party, day three of the WingFoil Racing World Cup China was still an opportunity for sharing great times and new ideas beneath the palm trees of Pingtan beach.
With 113 riders from various countries, continents, and walks of life, the WingFoil Racing World Cup presents a fascinating melting pot. Everyone shares a common passion for this fast-growing sport, but their approaches and reasons for participating can be very diverse.
Meet the Parents
For some of the older riders, it’s a chance to partake in a shared enthusiasm for enjoying warm-water sport. Younger riders are still mastering racing fundamentals, finding that their learning curve accelerates when they mingle with elite wingfoilers from around the world.
The fastest competitor over the past two seasons, double World Champion Mathis Ghio from France, is preparing for a potential Olympic journey. The French Sailing Federation (FFV) is investing heavily in its top riders, including Ghio, and while Italians are making strides in wingfoil racing, new challengers are emerging to contest recent French and Italian dominance.
Aiming for Pole Position
Poland’s Kamil Manowiecki currently sits in second place overall, utilizing an Ozone Fusion double-profile wing, similar to Ghio’s. These double-skin wings excel both upwind and downwind once riders adjust their techniques accordingly. Following a two-week training stint in Portugal with Ghio, Manowiecki feels he has narrowed the competitive gap. “We learn a lot from working together. While we use the same wing, our preferences differ greatly,” stated Manowiecki.
“Mathis prefers shorter harness lines, while I go for longer ones; that changes how we interact with the wing. I like to maintain my distance from the wing, whereas he keeps it close to avoid tipping the tip into the water. Despite having different foils and boards, I’m glad we’re both on top of the leaderboard. It’d be great to switch positions one day,” he added with ambition shining in his eyes.
Armie Manoeuvres
Armie Armstrong is thoroughly enjoying his debut at the WingFoil Racing World Cup. As the founder of Armstrong, a pioneering brand in wingfoiling with a robust presence in other watersports, particularly surfing, he expresses his passion for the sport. “I’m not primarily a racer,” he admits. “At Armstrong, we focus on freeride and wave riding more than racing. However, we’ve supported the sport’s growth, especially in China, and our manufacturing base allows us to test gear in excellent locations like Pingtan Island. Watching the evolution of equipment and rider skills here has been mind-blowing,” he remarked.
Chinese On the Rise
A substantial number of Chinese riders are competing on home waters this week, many equipped with distinctive black-and-white-striped foils and wings from Armstrong. “Ten years ago, outside of fishermen, few Chinese ventured into the ocean. Recently, we distributed gear to several sailing clubs to gauge interest in wingfoiling. Now, we have a large contingent of local athletes, including two in the top 20—it’s incredible,” Armstrong noted.
Armstrong is hesitant to claim full credit for the surge of wingfoiling in China, stating, “When the Chinese commit to something, they do it seriously. They assembled 50 kids from across the country into an intensive camp with coaching, nutrition, and training. Within less than a year, some of them are now racing in the top 20—it’s pretty cool.”
Surfer’s Paradise
The global allure of wingfoiling has even drawn interest from seasoned surfers. “Winging has notably opened many surfers’ minds,” said Armstrong. “In the past, windsurfing and kitesurfing wielded little appeal for surfers. However, winging presents a viable alternative when the wind blows, significantly contributing to its explosive growth.”
“Winging encompasses numerous aspects—racing is just one. It can be done in various locations, from ocean waves to flat-water lakes, making it electrifying to consider where this sport will be in ten years.”
As the competition progresses, Saturday will see the men’s and women’s fleets restructured into Gold and Silver fleets for finals racing, providing riders an opportunity to challenge the current leaders—Mathis Ghio and Nia Suardiaz.
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 results, visit wingfoilracing.com/2024europeans.
Source
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.
