© IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk: Who cares about homework on a day like this! Nia on top of the world

There was a flurry of victories on the final day of the Sol Wingfoil Racing World Cup Brazil. The wind was blowing hard in Jericoacoara, delivering great Brazilian conditions for the conclusion to a competitive 2024 season.

In the women's competition Nia Suardiaz won the event and the season, the Spanish teenager becoming the third different rider to win the world title over the past three seasons.

Mathis Ghio, on the other hand, has won all three men's world titles since Season #1 of this new sport back in 2022. However, where Ghio reigned supreme last year, the flying Frenchman has been pushed hard by the ever-improving Polish rider Kamil Manowiecki. After securing his first tour win just over a month ago in Sardinia, Manowiecki’s follow-up victory today in Jericoacoara shows he is a rising force, oozing confidence.

© IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk: Kamil Manowiecki celebrates his second event win of 2024

SUPER STOKED

“It’s been an amazing day,” beamed Suardiaz as she walked back up Jericoacoara beach, soaking up her double win. “I’m super stoked and happy and so grateful to the organizers for creating this event, and grateful for all the support of my family and sponsors.”

The Spaniard had a close tussle with last year’s World Champion, Maddalena Spanu, around the two-lap race course. But Suardiaz had an extra click of speed on the downwind legs and stretched away from the Italian to take out the Finals in a single heat.

After waiting a long time on the water for one of the men’s Semi-Finals to play out, suddenly the women’s battle was over in a little more than a blink of the eye. “We were waiting a long time on the water,” said Suardiaz. “It was super crazy to see Nico [Spanu] winning his semi-finals. That took a long time, but it was just amazing, and the wait was well worth it.”


© IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk: Mathis Ghio celebrates a third world title

SUARDIAZ: “STUDIES CAN WAIT!”

Suardiaz - who travels the world moving from event to event on the wingfoiling circuit - admitted she’s behind on her studies. “I’ll be writing to my teachers this afternoon because I’m pretty behind with my work, but I don’t care. I want to celebrate and enjoy this day.”

Finishing runner-up to Suardiaz in both the event and the overall season was Maddalena Spanu. Third-placed woman in Jeri was Mar De Arce Sanchez from Spain. For her first Wingfoil World Cup event, this was a phenomenal performance by the 21-year-old from Tarifa and we’ll surely see a lot more of her in 2025. Third placed in the overall season behind Suardiaz and Spanu was Poland’s Karolina Kluszczynska.

© IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk: The focus will soon move to the 2025 season starting in Morocco

POLE POSITION

Kamil Manowiecki went into the day in pole position at the top of the men’s fleet. The Polish rider would only need to win one race in the final and victory would be his. Francesco Cappuzzo was his closest rival on paper, the Italian being the other automatic qualifier from the week’s racing.

Reigning World Champion Mathis Ghio found himself in the unusual position of having to earn his place in the Final by fighting his way out of Semi Final A. This the Frenchman did easily enough, but now the question was if he’d be able to win three races in the Final.

Coming up to the top of the course on the second lap, Ghio looked to have a marginal lead over Manowiecki but the Frenchman was forced to make a double tack while the Polish rider had judged his layline perfectly to seize the lead and hold his advantage all the way across the finish line. Game, set and match to Poland, and a second successive victory for Manowiecki on the 2024 tour.

© IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk: Kylie Belloeuvre steps on to the beach to receive her Golden Ticket

GAPS ARE CLOSING UP

Despite finishing in third place in Jeri behind Manowiecki and Cappuzzo, Ghio did enough to secure his third consecutive world title and as yet remains the only man to have won a Wingfoil Racing World Championship. Manowiecki has the momentum to carry into next season, however. “I’m very happy to win here, but there is a lot more to come,” he said. “Next year I’m going for the full tour, I’m planning to win the world title.”

Of course there are plenty of others with their intent on next year’s title. “We are getting closer,” smiled Cappuzzo. Having twice lost out to Manowiecki at the end of this season, Ghio promises he’ll be redoubling his efforts to secure a fourth world title in 2025. “I’ll be working hard over the winter and looking to come back strong next season,” he said. “Everything moves on quickly in this sport so you always have to keep pushing, looking for more.”

© IWSA media/ Robert Hajduk: Suardiaz & Ghio - World Champions of 2024

GOLDEN TICKETS FOR FRANCE

Earlier in the day the bulk of the fleet competed in the Golden Ticket long distance race to see who would grab the 10th and last spot in the medal series. Kylie Belloeuvre has mostly been absent from the tour this season but the French rider showed all her skills from previous seasons to take her place in the Semi-Finals.

In the men’s race it was tense until the very end, with Venezuela’s Gollito Estredo looking like he’d repeat his Golden Ticket glory from 2023 before he crashed less than a minute before the finish. Jeremiah McDonald nearly took the place for New Zealand until he too crashed, leaving the way clear for France’s Matteo Dusarps to take the Golden Ticket.

SPANU PREVAILS IN THE SEMIS

Even though Belloeuvre and Dusarps didn’t manage to go any further in the competition, all the riders appreciate the Golden Ticket opportunity to fight for the top prizes on the final day. The stand-out battle from the Semi Finals came in Men’s Semi Final B when all four riders took race wins. With three of the four riders on match point it was Nicolo Spanu who held his nerve to win the next race and take his place in the final. The Italian sailed an excellent series to finish fourth overall and just a place behind the World Champion Mathis Ghio.

So ends the 2024 season, and the 2025 tour begins with a first-time visit to Morocco where the first event of the season will take place in Dakhla this March.

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