The 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup China has come to a close, bringing together 70 competitors from 12 countries on Daishan Island, at the delta of the Yangtze River.
The event, which offered 500 points and €60,000 in prize money, was a stage for cultural exchange and thrilling competition.
The Yangtze River, a lifeblood of China, connecting regions and cultures for centuries, provided a stunning backdrop for the thrilling convergence of global talent.
The conditions were challenging, with strong tidal currents pushing the competitors to their limits. Despite this, the competition was fierce from the start, with Kamil Manowiecki of Poland and Maddalena Spanu of Italy dominating the long-distance races on day one.
Other notable competitors included reigning world champion Mathis Ghio, World Cup Turkiye winner Alessandro Tomasi, Sean Herbert from New Zealand, and Karolina Kluszczynska from Poland.
The Chinese sailors, Liu Yu Xiao and Meijuan Xiao, showcased their skills on home soil, demonstrating the growing popularity of wingfoiling in China.
Unfortunately, the final day's racing was cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions, and the overnight results were made final.
In the men's division, Kamil Manowiecki took the top spot, followed by Mathis Ghio and Alessandro Tomasi. Manowiecki commented, "If the wind had come, I was keen to race, to finish it off in the right way. But either way, I'm happy to win the event."
Ghio added, "I was ready to perform, but the wind didn't come."
In the women's division, Maddalena Spanu continued her dominance, winning all events of the season to date.
She said, "I'm glad we didn't race in the challenging conditions. After a good competition, I'm pleased we only had good quality racing."
A special mention goes to 15-year-old Vaina Picot from France, who won bronze, marking a promising start to her career.
The 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup China may be over, but the tour is far from finished. The next stop is coming up, and the final showdowingfoilersin Brazil in December. The excitement continues as the world's top wingfoilers prepare for the next challenge.
Daishan is a stunning location at the mouth of the Yangtze River, a crossroads of commerce and culture. The picturesque destination hosted the most important event of the season, the 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup China, with 500 world ranking points and 60,000 Euro prize money up for grabs. 54 men and 18 women from around the world have gathered to compete in this thrilling competition.
Follow the action, cheer your favourites, and witness the evolution of wingfoil racing all the way until 7 September. The Super Sunday features the Golden Ticket Race for a last chance to earn a place on the podium, and the Medal Series, the last showdown.
Text Credits: IWSA media
Photo Credits: IWSA media/Robert Hajduk