2025 Dogus Marine Services Formula Wing European Championships - Day 2
by WingFoil Racing World Cup 21 May 20:06 BST
20-24 May 2025
The flags were barely flying on Day 2 - 2025 Dogus Marine Services Formula Wing European Championships © IWSA media / Robert Hajduk
It took all day for the anemometer to capture an average of 8 knots, before competitors were sent to the water at 5 p.m. The entire fleet mobilized in minutes after a day of football, sunbathing and snacking, paddling their wings to a teasing wind line.
But it was not to be on day two of the Dogus Marine Formula Wing European Championships, only three riders wound up flying towards the first start before it was abandoned.
Race to recovery
Frustration was obvious on the riders' faces, red from sun and pumping in vain before they hit the shore. Now the race is on to recover and regroup to prepare for the remaining opening series races.
"The waiting on shore was more tiring than it would have been racing on the water," said Maddalena Spanu of Italy who had been hoping for redemption after poor showing in the long-distance races. "I'm just trying to be in the moment. Call my dad. Get some new ideas, so I'm ready tomorrow."
Family foiling affair
Formula Wing equipment is some of the most accessible in wind watersports. Winging and racing has attracted a massive range in rider demographic. The European Championships have nine masters, over 35 years old, and 20 under 19. Ages range from 62 to the youngest at 11.
Spanning most of this range are the Kuzmenko's from the Ukraine. Father Anton has been slowly losing out to son Platon after teaching him how to wing when he was little. Anton has been slowly losing ground to his son leading up to the championship and now the 17-year-old is in 19th, a full 13 places ahead of dad.
The second oldest of the five children, Platon showed interest in everything his father was doing but was always a bit nervous.
"Now my relationship with him is the best it has ever been," said Platon, who is racing in his first international event." With time you realise the person who has been pushing you all the time, who has been pushing you when you didn't want to, when it was hard and you were scared, in the end you're very thankful for that. You realise that's what you really needed."
Anton has raced the Olympic Finn dinghy and despite running a business back home and the large family, he's been dedicating himself to wing foil racing. After finishing mid pack at WingFoil Racing World Cup Italy last fall, he has been aiming for the Masters title.
Even though he still has a healthy rivalry with his son, that's not Planton's primary motivation. "I still try to pass him but it's more and more difficult every time," he said. "The beetter he does here, the more happy I am. That's why I'm doing this."
Though it seems dad is taking it easy on his son, training is another story. "When we practice in my town with marks and coach," said a laughing Planton, "my dad does not respect the sailing rules. He'll cut me off every time."
For Thursday, organisers have the same goal for day three as today: morning and afternoon racing for the men's yellow and blue groups, and women's fleet. After the opening series, the top 20 men's fleet riders will be selected for the gold fleet that is used to determine Saturday's medal series finalists.
Results Women
1. ITA, Marta Monge
2. POL, Karolina Kluszcynska
3. POL, Katarzyna Trautman
4. CHN, Yana Li
5. TUR, Dilara Uralo Palombo
6. GRE, Emilia Kosti
7. ESP, Iset Segura Santaeularia
8. HKG, Wai Yan Ngai
9. ITA, Charlotte Baruzzi
10. ITA, Maddalena Maria Spanu
Results Men
1. ITA, Ernesto De Amicis
2. POL, Kamil Manowiecki
3. FRA, Mateo Dussarps
4. FRA, Oscar Leclair
5. FRA, Julien Rattotti
6. FRA, Romain Ghio
7. ITA, Francesco Cappuzzo
8. ITA, Nicolo Spanu
9. HKG, Tsz Hei Chow
10. FRA, Thomas Proust
More information here