World Youth Championships: Exciting fights for the next generation - and a hammerhead shark

Normally, a youth world championship is a good indicator of what might be in store for the established riders in a few years' time. At the GWA Wingfoil Youth World Championships in Gran Canaria, this was only true to a limited extent, as some of the young participants have long since set the tone for the seniors. A good example of this is the 16-year-old American Chris MacDonald, who secured the World Championship title in the surf freestyle discipline in the U-19 class. MacDonald had already caused a stir in the World Cup of the "big boys", most recently when he won the event in Tauranga/New Zealand at the beginning of the year ( HERE here's the report). Nevertheless, it was by no means set in stone that he would win the freestyle final, as he was up against none other than Malo Guénolé - the 17-year-old current world champion in the surf freestyle discipline (also in the "big ones", of course).

This time, however, MacDonald didn't give his opponent Guénolé a chance and hit a perfect 1080 (10.0 points!) at the start of the heat, which Guénolé was unable to counter. The young Frenchman will nevertheless be able to get over it, as he didn't go home without a world championship title either - Guénolé won the slalom discipline by winning five of the eight eliminations. In terms of dominance, only 16-year-old German-Spanish racer Nia Suardiaz surpassed him - she won all eight slalom races with aplomb and consequently also took the title at this World Youth Championships.

Hammerhead action - and a visiting hammerhead shark

35 young people from new countries took part in the Youth World Championships in Gran Canaria, with the winners being crowned in three age groups: U14, U16 and U19. On the first and last day of the event, free-fly slalom was on the programme due to the lighter winds - but the conditions were no walk in the park due to the swell waves off the coast. The best view of the action was provided by a hammerhead shark that romped around the regatta course for some time. The fact that, according to the organisers, it was a "harmless" specimen did not change the fact that the visitor caused, shall we say, "slight discomfort" in the field of participants.

More than a sparring partner

In addition to the aforementioned hot shots, other kids also showed that they are a force to be reckoned with in the future. Leon Schiel from Great Britain won the FreeFly slalom for the under-14s ahead of the young Frenchman Ezio Bastianelli by winning five out of eight races. The young Dane Benjamin Castenskiold followed in third place. In the U16 category, the French starters were the measure of all things: Axel Gerard took victory in six of eight races and his first World Championship title, followed by Clément Hamon and Mahe Thébault. In the women's event, Nia Suardiaz and US-American Lily Buden were the main contenders, finishing second in both disciplines.

The results of the 2023 World Youth Championships in Las Palmas/Gran Canaria

Boys' U14 Surf Freestyle

1. Ezio Bastianelli (FRA)
2. Leon Schiel (GBR)
3. Benjamin Castenskiold (DEN)

Boys' U14 FreeFly Slalom

1. Leon Schiel (GBR)
2. Ezio Bastianelli (FRA)
3. Benjamin Castenskiold (DEN)

Boys' U16 Surf Freestyle

1. Clément Hamon (FRA)
2. Axel Gerard (FRA)
3. Luca Vuillermet (FRA)

Boys' U16 FreeFly Slalom

1. Axel Gerard (FRA)
2. Clément Hamon (FRA)
3. Mahe Thébault (FRA)

Men's U19 Surf Freestyle

1. Chris MacDonald (USA)
2. Malo Guénolé (FRA)
3. Noé Cuyala (FRA)

Men's U19 FreeFly Slalom

1. Malo Guénolé (FRA)
2. Martin Tieles (ESP)
3. Noé Cuyala (FRA)

Women's U19 Surf Freestyle

1. Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
2. Lily Buden (USA)
3. Enoha Laurent (FRA)

Women's U19 FreeFly Slalom

1. Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
2. Lily Buden (USA)
3. Enoha Laurent (FRA)

Also interesting:

• Interview with Nia Suardiaz