2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup China - Day 3
by WingFoil Racing World Cup 5 Sep 2025 19:09 BST
3-7 September 2025
2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup China - Day 3 © IWSA media / Robert Hajduk
Day 3 of the WingFoil Racing World Cup China got off to a slow start as athletes waited for the wind to come through, but the pace picked up fast. The day's two sessions, each with three races, saw wind gusts reach 17 knots in the afternoon.
However, the real challenge came from the strong 5-knot current, which demanded skill and strategy from the competitors.
Non-local sailors faced a tough test, but some thrived. Karolina Kluszczynska from Poland won her starts and held on for two wins. Maddalena Spanu from Italy dominated the women's fleet, taking 4 out of 6 wins. The Chinese sailors also made a strong impression, with Liu Yu Xiao scoring two 2nd-place finishes and currently ranking 5th, and Meijuan Xiao ranking 6th.
Notably, Liu Yu Xiao took up wingfoiling only in late 2023 and has already set her sights on a top 5 overall finish. Based in Xiamen, Liu has previously raced in Daishan in windsurfing, but the strong current caught her off guard, saying, "It made it very hard to keep my feet on the board!"
Despite the challenge, she's maintained a consistent series, never finishing outside the top 6. With the Olympics a significant focus for China, Liu would be thrilled to see wingfoiling become an Olympic sport. For now, she's embracing the steep learning curve, enjoying every moment, especially in stronger winds: "The stronger the winds, the more I like it!".
In the men's competition, reigning world champion Mathis Ghio and World Cup Turkiye winner Alessandro Tomasi won all 6 races in their fleets, although Tomasi took a penalty for a technical omission.
Kamil Manowiecki from Poland led his fleet with 4 wins and retains the overnight leader position thanks to his consistent performance in the long-distance races.
The competition intensifies on Day 4 as the event moves into the final series, with 6 more races planned for Saturday and the top 18 competitors battling it out in the gold fleet.
Daishan is a stunning location at the mouth of the Yangtze River, a crossroads of commerce and culture. The picturesque destination is hosting 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.
Fans can follow every tack, jibe, and foil glide live with real-time updates and behind-the-scenes coverage. For live updates, results, and exclusive content, follow @wingfoilracing on social media.
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