GWA Wingfoil World World Cup France 2023, Preview: Top wingfoil field for Mondial du Vent
by GWA Wingfoil World Tour 4 Apr 2023 12:43 BST
4-10 April 2023
GWA Wingfoil World World Cup France © Samuel Cardenas
A stellar cast of wingfoil's leading athletes is set to battle at France's biggest windsports' event—the Mondial du Vent—vying for honours at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup in Surf-Freestyle and new FreeFly-Slalom disciplines.
It is the third straight year that Mondial du Vent, staged in Leucate, has hosted the GWA Wingfoil World Tour. The event always attracts a large field of wingfoilers drawn by the reliable and strong Tramontana winds.
With France's strong pedigree in wingfoiling, which includes top-ranked riders like Malo Guénolé, Titouan Galea and Orane Ceris, many athletes are eager to make their mark in front of home fans.
Legends and young guns
But many others are set to travel from around the world, among them legends from other watersports' disciplines who have become hooked on wingfoiling, and young guns keen to prove a point.
The men's Surf-Freestyle has a full roster of 32 riders, including Jose "Gollito" Estredo (VEN), Camille Bouyer, and legendary watermen Balz Müller (SUI) and Francesco Cappuzzo.
Sixteen-year-old Christopher MacDonald (USA), fresh off a Surf-Freestyle win in the opening round in New Zealand, will be looking to press his case as a world title contender. But the line-up of rivals is strong and includes Wesley Brito (CPV), the winner of the maiden wingfoil wave contest in Cape Verde last month.
Women's starry slate
The men's FreeFly Slalom has 43 contenders, with all the top-ranked riders slated to race, including Mathis Ghio, Bastien Escofet and Nicola Spanu.
On the women's side there is a similarly starry slate. Surf-Freestyle world champion Paula Novotna (CZE) makes her first appearance on the GWA Wingfoil World Tour this season. She is also competing in the FreeFly-Slalom class.
But with 15 women in Surf-Freestyle and 20 set to take to the water in FreeFly-Slalom, the Czech will have have her work cut out for her. Spanish teenager Nia Suardiaz earned the second podium spot at the wave contest in Cape Verde and will be a big threat.
The talent on the women's side goes deep in both disciplines. The Netherlands' Bowien van der Linden and Fiona Wylde (USA) are up for the fight. No doubt it will be an epic contest.