GWA Wingfoil World Cup: Cappuzzo and Suardiaz dominate FreeFly slalom in Fuerteventura

The GWA Wingfoil World Cup Fuerteventura 2025 has come to an end with a spectacular final in the FreeFly slalom discipline, with Francesco Cappuzzo taking victory in the men's event and Nia Suardiaz in the women's event. A total of 22 men and 15 women competed in this second FreeFly slalom event of the 2025 season, which was particularly important as there are only three scheduled events in this discipline and no cancellations are possible.

Nia Suardiaz wins with clever tactics

Seven qualifying rounds were held over three days - the wind was unusually light for Fuerteventura at times. The best eight men and six women qualified for the final rounds, where the decisions were made. In the women's event, Nia Suardiaz and Kylie Belloeuvre secured direct starting places in the main final, while Mar de Arce, Bowien van der Linden, Viola Lippitsch and Manon Dupe had to fight for the remaining final places in Heat 1. Mar de Arce dominated this heat and qualified directly for the final. In the second heat, Viola Lippitsch prevailed against her rivals and completed the field of participants for the main final.

The women's final with Nia Suardiaz, Kylie Belloeuvre, Mar de Arce and Viola Lippitsch began with an explosive start. Kylie Belloeuvre initially took the lead and was the first to round the first mark. However, a tactical error allowed world champion Nia Suardiaz to take the lead. With this improved position, Suardiaz went confidently into the pump section and continuously extended her lead. Belloeuvre tried everything to close the gap, but was unable to keep up with the pace of the reigning world champion. Nia Suardiaz eventually crossed the finish line in first place, securing another impressive victory in her successful career. Kylie Belloeuvre took second place, followed by Mar de Arce in third and Viola Lippitsch in fourth.

Exciting men's final with Italian triumph

In the men's event, Francesco Cappuzzo and Bastien Escofet qualified directly for the main final. Romain Ghio, Riccardo Zorzi and Sebastian Zorzi started their campaign in the quarter-finals, while Julien Rattotti and Alessandro Tomasi entered the semi-finals. The first heat brought early drama when Riccardo Zorzi was disqualified for a course infringement, giving Gollito Estredo the chance to progress to the semi-finals. However, Riccardo Zorzi made an impressive comeback in Heat 2 when he overtook Ghio with a brave manoeuvre to secure a place in the semi-finals. In Heat 3, Rattotti and Zorzi fought an intense battle, with Rattotti narrowly coming out on top. Zorzi then secured victory in Heat 4 and thus the last place in the main final, while Estredo and Tomasi were eliminated.

The final with Francesco Cappuzzo, Bastien Escofet, Julien Rattotti and Riccardo Zorzi began with a powerful start by team-mates Cappuzzo and Escofet, who quickly pulled out a lead. Behind them, Rattotti and Zorzi battled for third and fourth position. Cappuzzo maintained the lead throughout the race and crossed the finish line safely in first place. Escofet secured second place, while Rattotti narrowly relegated Zorzi to fourth place.

GWA Wingfoil World Cup Fuerteventura - FreeFly Slalom

Ladies

1. Nia Suardiaz
2. Kylie Belloeuvre
3. Mar de Arce
4. Viola Lippitsch

Gents

1. Francesco Cappuzzo
2. Bastien Escofet
3. Julien Rattotti
4. Riccardo Zorzi