Marathon Race launches 113 riders into WingFoil Racing World Cup China
Thu 22nd Aug, 2024 @ 6:30 pm
A fleet of 113 riders gathered on Pingtan Island for the inaugural Wingfoil Racing World Cup in China, where warm winds of 20 knots provided ideal conditions for long-distance racing. Kamil Manowiecki of Poland emerged as the fastest from the high-speed rabbit start, while Mathis Ghio of France and Nia Suardiaz of Spain claimed victory in the Marathon Race. Bastien Escoffet of France recorded the highest speed on the race track, reaching 33 knots.
France’s Bastien Escoffet recorded the highest speed – 33.0 knots – on day one of WingFoil Racing World Cup China. Taking place out of the tropical paradise of Pingtan Island, the Marathon Race saw 113 riders launch out of a high-speed rabbit start and onto a long-distance course with various upwind, downwind and frenetic reaching legs in 20 knots of wind.
Kamil Manowiecki was one of the first out of the start, and his choice to go early put the Polish rider on a good line to the first mark, as reigning World Champion Mathis Ghio explained. “I started somewhere out of the middle of the line,” said the Frenchman, “but Kamil’s choice to go early put him in a good place as we’re getting close to mark one.”
Early win for Manowiecki
First blood to Manowiecki and a close battle ensued with the double World Champion from France. “Kamil was fast on his 6.5 wings,” said Ghio, “but I was happy to go with the 5.7. Kamil showed he has the skills to handle the 6.5 because it’s difficult. It’s a bit more draggy than the 5.7, and it’s a big span, so you must be careful not to catch the tips in the water.”
At speeds close to, or over, 30 knots on the reaching legs, one slight touch of a wingtip can lead to a big crash. So Ghio was happy with the higher manoeuvrability and ease of handling of a smaller wing. “With the 5.7, I can be focused on my pace, and I have a bit more time to look around at any plastic or things to avoid in the water.”
Ghio was surprised to see just how well-matched he was against Manowiecki around the race track despite their different wing choices, but in the end, the Frenchman crossed the finish line a few seconds in front. Manowiecki crossed in second, and Francesco Cappuzzo of Italy was pleased to get third.
“I was closing on the front two but made some mistakes with my layline calls,” said Cappuzzo. “One time I tacked too soon and had to do two more tacks to get around the mark. And then the next time I went too far and sailed too many extra metres and there was not enough time on the downwind to close the gap on the leaders. But it was a good race and it was super busy on the course with 113 riders and a lot of traffic at some points.”
Insane Speeds
Nia Suardiaz was the leading woman on the race course and up there right amongst some of the top men in the fleet. “I started quite early from the rabbit start and was pretty good, sitting just behind Alessandro Tomasi, Luca [Franchi] and Alan Feddit. I was pushing harder than before, trying to keep up with the boys and getting a bit closer to their speed, but they were going insane speeds. That was one of the most enjoyable long-distance races I’ve done.”
For reigning World Champion Maddalena Spanu, she was happy to have got through the first race in good shape. “The strong wind is not my favourite conditions, I prefer the light winds,” smiled the Italian teenager who finished in second place in the women’s division behind Suardiaz. “I crashed many times so I’m pleased that I got second place and I’m looking forward to the short-course racing tomorrow.”
With 113 entries from across the world and $60k of prize money, WingFoil Racing World Cup China is shaping up to be one of the most competitive events yet in this rapidly developing sport.
The rest of the sailing world is closely watching this circuit, looking to gain insight into the latest technical and technique developments in an ever-developing sport.
With much discussion about the pros and cons of different racing formats seen at the recent Olympic Regatta in Marseille, the WingFoil Racing World Cup draws interest for its innovation and willingness to test new ideas. The ‘Golden Ticket’, a way of keeping the competition open for anyone up to the regatta’s final day, has already gained recognition from the competitors as a fun but fair way of shaking up the racing.
Because of the speed of wingfoiling at this level – with riders capable of pushing more than 30 knots across the water, traditional umpiring from ribs is often impractical. So, in Pingtan, this Sunday’s medal series will be referred to using drones in the air. This means no boats on the water and no sailor-initiated protests.
The results from today’s Marathon Race are used to reseed the competitors into equally balanced smaller fleets for the short-course racing for the coming days. The 80 men are divided into four flights, and the 33 women into two flights. It will be a different racing style compared with today’s long-distance workout and an opportunity for the other riders to see if they can challenge the current leaders for the yellow bibs.
Men’s Results
1st Mathis Ghio
2nd Kamil Manowiecki
3rd Francesco Cappuzzo
Women’s Results
1st Nia Suardiaz
2nd Maddalena Spanu
3rd Orane Ceris
Written by event reporter Andy Rice
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Thu 22nd Aug, 2024 @ 6:30 pm
