Formula Wing European championships

Day 2 – Formula Wing European championships

Day Two of the Formula Wing European Championships in Naples, Italy brought light, shifty thermal winds that made racing tricky and put a premium on sharp decision-making across the racecourse. Some riders thrived in the conditions, while others returned to shore frustrated yet entertained by the challenge – like chess players coming up against a particularly cunning opponent.

This was no board game, however. This was high-stakes foiling. In the Men’s fleet, the battle was on for a place in the Gold fleet and a shot at the medal series, with only the top 20 advancing from a fleet of 78.

Frenchman Thomas Proust, sporting a shorter version of his usual flowing locks, proved one of the day’s standout performers, mastering the conditions to deliver a flawless opening session. Three wins from three races saw the 19-year-old finish the day third overall, just behind local rider Ernesto De Amicis who also scored three bullets.

© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk –  Thomas Proust (FRA) celebrates another victory on Day 2

Compatriot Julien Rattotti, who dominated the opening day’s long-distance races, also looked strong in the shorter sprint format. Despite maintaining his position as overnight leader, the rider from the French Riviera admitted the conditions were far from straightforward. “The wind comes, the wind goes. It makes it very difficult to read the shifts, and the shorter races mean you don’t have time to correct a mistake,” he said, after a remarkably consistent performance.

If Rattotti thought he had it tough, he should have tried conditions further down the fleet where turbulence from the front runners was causing havoc for the chasing pack. “If you’re outside the top five you have to really overlay the layline to avoid the leaders’ dirty air and that obviously means you lose a lot of time and keep going backwards” explained Dutch rider Felix Drent.

© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk –  Felix Drent (NED) struggles to avoid dirty air

The Men’s fleet did not return for a second session as the breeze steadily faded and temperatures dropped through the afternoon. The 21-strong Women’s fleet did launch in the lighter conditions, but racing was eventually abandoned when the wind disappeared altogether.

At the front, French teenage talent Vaina Picot continued her impressive run, holding off defending European champion Maddalena Spanu of Italy. The pair are beginning to edge clear of the rest of the fleet, although France’s Kylie Belloeuvre and Aimilia Kosti remain firmly in contention just behind.