Windsurfer Class European Championship 2025 concludes in Punta Ala after five intense days of racing
by Centro Velico Punta Ala 14 Sep 18:55 BST
9-14 September 2025
Windsurfer Class European Championship 2025 in Punta Ala © Centro Velico Punta Ala
The Windsurfer Class European Championship 2025 came to a close on Sunday, 14 September at the Centro Velico Punta Ala. This edition saw over 180 competitors from 16 countries battling it out over five days of racing.
The Gulf of Follonica lit up with the iconic sails of the Windsurfer Class, turning every launch from the private beach of PuntAla Camp & Resort into a scenic spectacle. The event kicked off on Tuesday, 9 September in challenging conditions, with a thunderstorm making the racecourse unworkable on day one. In the following days, light and shifty winds tested the Race Committee and the sailors alike, who nevertheless showed resilience and true sportsmanship. All eight course races on the program were completed for the men's weight categories (A, B, C, D) and the Women's category, as well as the spectacular Long Distance, held at the very last moment on the final day.
The days were long and demanding: starts often delayed, long waits on the water, races running until sunset and a big physical effort for the athletes. After the postponement on the first day, hopes for the Long Distance seemed to be fading again on Sunday, when the lack of wind kept the fleet ashore until midday.
But at 13:15, just as the time limit for the last warning signal was about to expire, a gentle westerly breeze at 6-7 knots filled in—enough to hoist the Delta flag and launch the marquee race, with around 150 boards on the water at the same time. Too bad for those who thought about heading home early, convinced it would be a write-off of a day.
The excitement erupted and everyone was ready to hit the water. That was the moment the true Windsurfer spirit shone through: despite the fatigue of the previous days, everyone wanted to be there, to finish in style with the most spectacular race—the one with all the colorful sails out together on the sea.
The course—a two-lap, one-mile loop with downwind, upwind and reaching legs—delivered a unique show in front of the resort's beach. After roughly an hour and a quarter of racing, Andrea Marchesi (ITA 017, Associazione Vela Sabazia, cat. A) was first across the line, followed by reigning world champion Alessandro Torzoni (ITA 90, LNI Olbia, cat. B) and Luca Frascari (ITA 013, East Bay Yachting Club Anzio).
Full Long Distance results.
Freestyle also took center stage, firing up the crowd at sunset in front of the Beach Bar at PuntAla Camp & Resort, between happy hour and a DJ set. Not valid for the overall standings, but hugely appreciated and well attended: creative tricks and plenty of fun once again highlighted the playful, engaging spirit of the Windsurfer Class.
Women: 1st Valeria Zullo (ITA 1710), 2nd Giulia Cocco (ITA 263)
Men: 1st Stephan Louw (RSA 069), 2nd Nicola Spadea (ITA 2019), 3rd Marco Di Benedetto (ITA 3020), 4 degrees Skir Nederpelt (0030), 5 degrees Luca Del Gato (399), 6 degrees Sam van Diepen (704), 7 degrees Emile Martinie (13), 8 degrees Michele Genna (1311), 9 degrees Alain Blondeau (38), 10 degrees Yuki Castrone (6751), 11 degrees Leonardo Di Francesco (327)
As for the championship overall, Italy and France dominated the podiums, with eight for France (2 golds, 4 silvers, 2 bronzes) and six for Italy (3 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronzes), while the Netherlands took a third place in the Heavyweights.
The battle was fiercely fought across all categories:
Women (F) - Valeria Zullo (ITA 1710, Tognazzi Marine Village) is the European Champion, having led the entire championship with consistency, ahead of sixteen-year-old Benedetta Barone (ITA 230, Circolo Canottieri Aniene), first among the Young, and France's Sandra Marçon, who moved onto the podium after the Long Distance, edging out Italy's Maria Giada Zalapì (ITA 23, Albaria), fourth.
Lightweight (A) - The European Champion is Andrea Marchesi (ITA 017, Associazione Vela Sabazia), confirming his dominance with six race wins and a solid margin over his pursuers. Behind him Pascal Bugeaud (FRA 6069) holds second, with Marco Costagli (ITA 85, LNI Piombino) in third.
Medium (B) - It was a neck-and-neck all week: reigning world champion Alessandro Torzoni (ITA 90, LNI Olbia) and France's Frédéric Duthil (FRA 1377) were tied at the top, then the Long Distance went Torzoni's way—and with it the European title. Eric Belot (FRA 397, Yacht Club Villeneuve Loubet) was third, just six points back, with the standings open right to the end.
Medium-Heavy (C) - The title goes to France's Cyril Dardashti (FRA 5611), the runaway leader of the course racing with 7 wins out of 8, ahead of Jean Philippe Delapierre (FRA 037), top Legend, who clawed back ground thanks to the Long Distance. The podium is completed by Italy's Fabio Balini (ITA 211), top Super Legend, a true icon of the class.
Heavy (D) - Frédéric Gautier (FRA 8, St Quentin) is European Champion, solidly in control after eight races sailed with great consistency and a strong Long Distance. He is followed by Frédéric Boc-Ho (FRA 303, Wishbone Club Dinard), with Marcel Van der Ploeg (NED 031, WSV Oostvoorne) in third.
Honourable mention to the 21 under-18 sailors, the new generation and proof of the class's renewal, who threw themselves into the challenge with enthusiasm; among them the youngest, 11-year-old Giuseppe Accardo (Vela LNI Marsala).
Full results can be found here.
Live tracking via MetaSail here.
A finale worthy of a major event, delivering powerful emotions, team spirit and a beautiful image of sportsmanship and passion in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma. A special thank-you to the kindness and helpfulness of the Centro Velico Punta Ala staff and the entire Organising Committee: a constant presence on shore and on the water, supporting the athletes and carefully managing even the most complex moments. From a sporting perspective, this was a serious, well-rounded championship: plenty of races, variable conditions and standings that truly brought out the real values on the field.
The Windsurfer spirit once again proved the event's power to unite sport, tradition, technique and friendship, staying true to the class's authentic soul—which continues to win over new generations without ever forgetting its roots. A spirit that lives both on and off the water, thanks to the social events put together by the Centro Velico Punta Ala with organising partner PuntAla Camp & Resort: from the Crew Dinner Party at Bubula restaurant, to the freestyle show during the DJ set, and the beach bar happy hour. Above all, the pleasure of being together in a small "Olympic village" inside PuntAla Camp & Resort.
More information here.