Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA) and Paula Novotná (CZE) have won the men’s and women’s fleets after a stormy finale to the Sabfoil Wingfoil Racing World Cup & Open European Championships on Lake Garda in Italy.

HEADLINES

• Strong northerly winds of 15 to 20 knots
• Upwind starts put the wingfoilers fully to the test on 5 minute short courses
• Francesco Cappuzzo has an amazing comeback to win the men’s title
• Paula Novotná wins 5 straight bullets to dominate the women’s competition

After a morning of rain squalls blasting down from the northern end of Garda, a weather window opened up in the afternoon for some short-course racing. While the women continued to race in one fleet, the men were re-allocated to gold, silver and bronze fleets. Five short-course races took place in 15 to 20 knots northerly wind, with an upwind start putting the wingfoilers fully to the test.

3-BULLET SURGE PUTS CAPPUZZO ON TOP

After a difficult day two, Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA) needed to make up the lost ground and see if he could haul himself up to the podium after leading the event on day one. Cappuzzo duly delivered, rising up from 7th at the start of the day to steal the title from Mathis Ghio (FRA) by less than a point. Cappuzzo won the last three heats, and his last-gasp efforts rewarded him with victory and the European title.

So close were the points, Cappuzzo didn’t know where he had finished as he stepped ashore. As soon as he was told the good news, the Sicilian burst into humble celebration. “I can’t believe it! I still don’t believe it. I am shaking. I didn’t really enjoy the start of the day as the guys went out with the coloured bibs and I was way down. I had a crash in the second race and then I thought this really wasn’t my week. But then I decided to do my best, and I really like this upwind and downwind format, and I got faster with each race. This is an amazing feeling to have won this event.”

ALL KINDS OF RACING FORMATS

Ghio was disappointed to have come so close to winning and not quite keep hold of the title that look set to go his way. Ever the gracious sportsman, the 19-year-old French rider said he would learn from his mistakes and come back stronger for the next World Cup event in Brazil in two months’ time. “I have never been to Brazil before and I’m really looking forward to competing there. I really love all the formats we do - the different mix of upwinds and downwinds, the short and the long distance. It’s a very good all-round test of winging.”

Finishing the day with three 2nd places was Luca Franchi (ITA) who rose to 3rd place overall in the men’s competition.

THE QUEEN OF WINGFOILING

Paula Novotná (CZE) scored five straight bullets and dominated the women’s competition this week. After being crowned overall winner of the 2022 GWA Wingfoil Surf-Freestyle World Tour last week in Tarifa, Spain, the Czech rider is looking like the most complete wingfoil athlete in the world. The Queen of the freestyle and racing formats.

“I'm super stoked because I'm just getting into racing and I really need to get more comfortable on upwind sailing and today I think I did a good job,” said Novotná. “I was a bit late on the starts but I'm fast. So I told myself, ‘I’m going to catch the girls and always win the race’, and I managed to do that.” She hugged Cappuzzo as he found out he’d won the men’s contest. “Congratulations to Francesco, my long-time friend from kiteboarding. And now we go together to Brazil and I can’t wait.”

RAPID GROWTH OF WINGFOIL RACING

Last week was also a special one for Ellie Aldridge (GBR) who took the bronze medal at the Formula Kite World Championships in Sardinia. While the Olympic campaign on the high-speed kitefoil is Aldridge’s ‘day job’, she also considers the wingfoil to be a useful form of cross-training. As well as the opportunity to spend time with her dad Martin Aldridge, the former Olympic windsurfer racing in the men’s bronze fleet.

“I was really happy to get the bronze last week in the kitefoiling, and then decided to come here to see what wingfoil racing was all about and for a bit of holiday. It's just really exciting to see this new sport grow and be part of it as well. Anyone can jump on a wingfoil and start learning how to do it, and it’s great to meet people from so many completely different backgrounds.”

Orane Ceris (FRA) finished third in the women’s fleet although only a point in front of Maddalena Spanu (ITA) who nearly pipped her to the podium. “I made a lot of mistakes today and have a lot to learn,” said Ceris. “For Brazil I will keep my gear the same, no equipment changes. I just need to work on my starts and tactics and do the right training to be better for Brazil.”

BRING ON BRAZIL!

The next event on the circuit comes up in December, when the Wingfoil Racing World Cup moves to Jericoacoara, one of the most celebrated watersports venues on the coast of Brazil. Located less than 200 miles south of the Equator, the event promises a warm-weather escape for riders from the chill of the northern hemisphere. It’s also the next qualifying event for the ANOC World Beach Games due to take place in Bali next August, so the wingfoil competition should be as hot as the Brazilian weather.

OVERALL RESULTS

MEN

1. Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA), 12.6 points

2. Mathis Ghio (FRA), 13.4 points

3. Luca Franchi (ITA), 18.0 points

WOMEN

1. Paula Novotná (CZE), 8.0 points

2. Ellie Aldridge (GBR), 17.0 points

3. Ceris Orane (FRA), 22.0 points

More results and details about the competition at https://wingfoilracing.com/2022worldcupitaly

2022 WingFoil Racing World Cup Italy

Campione del Garda || 18-22 October 2022

GOLD Flight

Sailed: 11, Discards: 3, To count: 8, Entries: 14, Scoring system: Appendix A

Rank	Lycra	HelmName	NAT	Sponsors	YoB	R1 (LD)	R2 (LD)	R3 (DS)	R4 (DS)	R5 (DS)	R6 (DS)	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5	Total	Nett
1st	33	Francesco Cappuzzo		RRD , HILX , WINDRESORT, Asd reef	1997	0.3	0.3	(5.0)	4.0	3.0	(5.0)	2.0	(7.0)	1.0	1.0	1.0	29.6	12.6
2nd	1	Mathis Ghio		Ocean Rodeo, Levitaz, Forward Wip, Prado KHSC, A.V. Carry-le-Rouet	2002	0.7	0.7	(4.0)	(1.0)	1.0	1.0	1.0	3.0	3.0	(6.0)	3.0	24.4	13.4
3rd	62	Luca Franchi		Zaoli Sails, Sailmon, Chubanga, Yacht Club Italiano	2004	1.0	1.0	(2.0)	2.0	(4.0)	2.0	(6.0)	6.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	30.0	18.0
4th	52	Bastien Escofet		Port-Mahon Sigean	1998	1.7	(7.0)	2.0	3.0	3.0	(15.0 DNC)	4.0	1.0	(7.0)	7.0	4.0	54.7	25.7
5th	3	Colmas Clement		Freewing Starboard Sooruz, La Rochelle Nautique	2001	(2.0)	(2.0)	1.0	2.0	1.0	1.0	(8.0)	4.0	5.0	8.0	5.0	39.0	27.0
6th	45	Mateo Dussarps		REEDIN / BLACKLOCAL, LAROCHELLE NAUTIQUE	2000	(2.3)	1.3	1.0	(2.0)	2.0	2.0	(10.0)	5.0	4.0	4.0	9.0	42.6	28.3
7th	46	Nicolo Spanu		sabfoil, windsurfing club Cagliari	2004	(4.0)	2.3	3.0	3.0	3.0	(4.0)	3.0	8.0	(15.0 DNF)	3.0	7.0	55.3	32.3
8th	2	Alessandro Jose Tomasi		Chubanga, Ensis, Wingman, Fraglia Vela Riva	2003	(1.3)	(1.7)	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	11.0	2.0	(15.0 DNF)	5.0	11.0	51.0	33.0
9th	61	Riccardo Zorzi		slingshot sabfoil rideengine newind kite center garda lake	2006	2.7	2.7	(3.0)	1.0	2.0	(3.0)	5.0	(11.0)	6.0	10.0	8.0	54.4	37.4
10th	37	May Benjamin		Duotone, Fanatic, ION	2004	3.0	3.0	3.0	4.0	(9.0)	(5.0)	9.0	9.0	8.0	9.0	(10.0)	72.0	48.0
11th	54	Rattotti Julien		AGASC club nautique	2002	3.3	(5.7)	4.0	5.0	4.0	(14.0 DNC)	7.0	10.0	9.0	11.0	(12.0)	85.0	53.3
12th	58	Giulio Gasperini		Ensis, SabFoil, Albaria Windsurfing Club	2006	(5.3)	5.0	(6.0)	4.0	2.0	3.0	13.0	(14.0)	10.0	12.0	13.0	87.3	62.0
13th	44	Gunnar Marc Biniasch		North foils, Mystic, Canakite Gran Canaria	1978	(5.0)	4.3	(5.0)	5.0	4.0	3.0	(15.0 DNF)	13.0	12.0	15.0 DNC	6.0	87.3	62.3
14th	67	Sebastiano Zorzi		SabFoil, SlighShot, RideEngine, Kite Center Garda Lake	2008	(7.0)	3.7	(6.0)	6.0	5.0	4.0	12.0	12.0	11.0	13.0	(14.0)	93.7	66.7

SILVER Flight

Sailed: 10, Discards: 2, To count: 8, Entries: 14, Scoring system: Appendix A

Rank	Lycra	HelmName	NAT	Sponsors	YoB	R1 (LD)	R2 (LD)	R3 (DS)	R4 (DS)	R5 (DS)	R6 (DS)	F1	F2	F3	F4	Total	Nett
1st	43	John Subranni		San Francisco Wing Racing	1988	8.3	(14.0 DSQ)	2.0	3.0	10.0	2.0	(15.0 NSC)	1.0	1.0	1.0	57.3	28.3
2nd	31	Ernesto De Amicis		SabFoil, Ensis, FlyGroove, RYCC Savoia Napoli - Wind Lovers	2008	(6.0)	5.3	(6.0)	6.0	5.0	4.0	1.0	2.0	4.0	2.0	41.3	29.3
3rd	65	Gregorio Carraresi				5.7	3.3	(8.0)	(14.0 RET)	7.0	6.0	2.0	4.0	5.0	4.0	59.0	37.0
4th	41	Alan FEDIT		AMSLF Frejus	1996	(6.3)	4.0	5.0	6.0	(8.0)	6.0	4.0	3.0	6.0	5.0	53.3	39.0
5th	51	Oscar Leclair		CV Martigues, Vayu, axis	1998	4.3	7.3	7.0	7.0	6.0	(15.0 DNF)	(9.0)	5.0	3.0	3.0	66.6	42.6
6th	50	Rafferty Read		Ocean Rodeo, ION, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy	2003	(14.0 DNC)	(14.0 DNF)	4.0	7.0	6.0	5.0	6.0	8.0	2.0	6.0	72.0	44.0
7th	53	Enrico Tonon		GDV LNI BELLUNO	1966	6.7	4.7	7.0	8.0	6.0	(14.0 DNF)	5.0	6.0	(10.0)	7.0	74.4	50.4
8th	70	Audoin Hiltenbrand		sroka company, French Foil	2000	(14.0 DNF)	6.3	10.0	8.0	5.0	7.0	(12.0)	9.0	7.0	8.0	86.3	60.3
9th	66	Alessio Barbera		GROOVE, CHUBANGA, RRD, Sporting Club Marina di Pulsano	1983	(9.3)	6.0	8.0	8.0	7.0	(15.0 DNC)	8.0	7.0	8.0	9.0	85.3	61.0
10th	56	Stefano Alessandro Moris		II-1665 A.S.D. Talamone Windsurfing Kite Center	1974	7.7	(14.0 RET)	9.0	9.0	8.0	7.0	3.0	11.0	(12.0)	11.0	91.7	65.7
11th	49	Benjamin Billarant		Club de Doussard	1973	7.3	6.7	9.0	10.0	9.0	(15.0 DNC)	7.0	10.0	(11.0)	10.0	95.0	69.0
12th	69	Leonardo Giovannelli		sabfoil, kiteloose, rad straps, ozone italia shop, gath, Circolo Velico 3V	2006	8.7	7.7	10.0	10.0	9.0	(14.0 DNC)	11.0	(12.0)	9.0	12.0	103.4	77.4
13th	38	Daniele Minoni		C.V. Toscolano Maderno	2001	8.0	8.3	9.0	7.0	8.0	(14.0 DNC)	10.0	(15.0 DNF)	15.0 DNC	15.0 DNC	109.3	80.3
14th	36	Gautier Guichard		Agasc	2002	4.7	(10.0)	8.0	9.0	7.0	8.0	(15.0 DNC)	15.0 DNC	15.0 DNC	15.0 DNC	106.7	81.7

BRONZE Flight

Sailed: 10, Discards: 2, To count: 8, Entries: 13, Scoring system: Appendix A

Rank	Lycra	HelmName	NAT	Sponsors	YoB	R1 (LD)	R2 (LD)	R3 (DS)	R4 (DS)	R5 (DS)	R6 (DS)	F1	F2	F3	F4	Total	Nett
1st	35	Gabin Dardeau		AFS, ASCR	2007	(14.0 DNC)	8.7	(11.0)	9.0	11.0	7.0	1.0	2.0	5.0	4.0	72.7	47.7
2nd	39	Nils Stolzlechner		NJS DESIGNS	1962	(14.0 DNC)	9.3	7.0	12.0	10.0	(15.0 DNF)	14.0 DNC	1.0	1.0	1.0	84.3	55.3
3rd	60	Riccardo Bevilacqua		Sabfoil, Ensis, Groove, 1333 - RICCIONE 151 H2O SPORTS ASS	2009	(14.0 DNC)	14.0 DNC	(15.0 NSC)	12.0	12.0	8.0	3.0	4.0	3.0	2.0	87.0	58.0
4th	32	Valentin Lux		Cannes jeunesse	2002	14.0 DNC	14.0 UFD	11.0	10.0	(15.0 DNF)	(15.0 DNS)	2.0	3.0	2.0	3.0	89.0	59.0
5th	57	Raimondo Gasperini		SabFoli, FreeWing/Starboard, AK, Albaria Windsurfing Club	1966	9.0	9.7	11.0	13.0	(15.0 DNC)	(15.0 DNC)	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	4.0	5.0	109.7	79.7
6th	63	Carlo Ariemma		Chubanga, CORE, Playa Carlo, Kitesurfing Ostia	1963	(14.0 DNC)	9.0	10.0	11.0	10.0	6.0	(14.0 DNC)	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	116.0	88.0
7th	34	Jordan Julian		La nautique	2002	3.7	14.0 RET	(15.0 DNC)	5.0	(15.0 DNC)	15.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	123.7	93.7
8th	40	Martin Aldridge		Parkstone Yacht Club	1965	10.0	14.0 DNC	12.0	11.0	(15.0 DNC)	(15.0 DNC)	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	6.0	14.0 DNF	125.0	95.0
9th	68	Marco Rebeggiani		RRD, kaukau , Fly Groove, Mikes Lab, Chia Wind Club	1972	9.7	8.0	12.0	(15.0 DNF)	11.0	(15.0 DNF)	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	126.7	96.7
10th	42	Jose Gollito Estredo Perez		N/A	1989	(14.0 DNC)	(14.0 DNC)	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	8.0	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	134.0	106.0
11th	55	Philipp Kuempel		Windsurfclub e. V.	1968	(14.0 DNC)	(14.0 DNC)	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	140.0	112.0
12th	64	Stefano Cassetti		Univela	1974	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	(15.0 DNC)	(15.0 DNC)	15.0 DNC	15.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	144.0	114.0
12th	22	Brock Callen		US Sailinf	2022	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	(15.0 DNC)	(15.0 DNC)	15.0 DNC	15.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	14.0 DNC	144.0	114.0

2022 WingFoil Racing World Cup Italy

Campione del Garda || 18-22 October 2022

Overall

Sailed: 10, Discards: 2, To count: 8, Entries: 10, Scoring system: Appendix A

Rank	Lycra	HelmName	Nat	Sponsors	YoB	R1 (LD)	R2 (LD)	R3 (DS)	R4 (DS)	R5 (DS)	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10	Total	Nett
1st	1	Paula Novotna		Duotone, Fanatic, Ion	1992	1.0	(11.0 NSC)	1.0	1.0	(2.0)	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	21.0	8.0
2nd	2	Ellie Aldridge		North, Mystic, WPNSA	1996	3.0	1.0	(5.0)	(4.0)	1.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	2.0	26.0	17.0
3rd	3	Ceris Orane		Starboard x Freewing, Sabfoil, Sooruz, ACPV - New Caledonia	1994	(11.0 DNF)	2.0	2.0	2.0	3.0	3.0	(4.0)	3.0	3.0	4.0	37.0	22.0
4th	12	Maddalena Maria Spanu		sabfoil, windsurfing club Cagliari	2006	2.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	(4.0)	4.0	3.0	(6.0)	2.0	3.0	33.0	23.0
5th	19	Margherita Barro		Fraglia vela riva, Ensis, TURTLEWING BOARDS	2004	6.0	5.0	(8.0)	5.0	5.0	(8.0)	7.0	4.0	8.0	5.0	61.0	45.0
6th	23	Sofia Trentini		Circolo surf Torbole	2005	5.0	(11.0 NSC)	4.0	7.0	(11.0 DNF)	5.0	5.0	8.0	6.0	6.0	68.0	46.0
7th	11	Marta Monge		Vayu, Gefran, Circolo nautico del Finale	2002	(7.0)	4.0	6.0	(8.0)	6.0	7.0	6.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	65.0	50.0
8th	25	Mariska Wildenberg		NKV	1996	4.0	(11.0 DNC)	9.0	10.0	(11.0 DNF)	6.0	8.0	5.0	5.0	8.0	77.0	55.0
9th	24	Marisol Depretto		Circolo Surf Torbole	2007	8.0	(11.0 NSC)	7.0	9.0	(11.0 DNF)	11.0 DNF	11.0 DNF	11.0 DNF	9.0	9.0	97.0	75.0
10th	20	Elena Guazzaloca		Reale Y.C.C.Savoia - Wind Lovers	1987	(11.0 DNC)	(11.0 DNF)	10.0	6.0	11.0 DNF	11.0 DNF	11.0 DNC	11.0 DNF	10.0	11.0 DNC	103.0	81.0

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