GWA Wingfoil World Cup Abu Dhabi
Spain’s Nia Suardiaz lands third successive title while France’s Bastien Escofet delights in first crown
Spain’s Nia Suardiaz landed her third successive FreeFly-Slalom world title in light conditions in Abu Dhabi, while the French veteran, Bastien Escofet, grabbed his first crown.
Both Suardiaz and Escofet were pushed to the limit in their respective super-finals at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Abu Dhabi. Escofet had to be content with second place after Italy’s Alessandro Tomasi took the overall victory in Abu Dhabi with two super-final heat wins.
“It was such a roller coaster of emotions,” said Escofet. “At one point I was not qualifying for the final. Then everyone was ‘over early’ and I got into the final with a bulltet. Being second here makes me world champion, so I’m super, super happy. I’m stoked and tired and emotional. I’ve been working really hard in training, and it finally paid off.”
With eight wingfoil world titles now to her name, 18-year-old Suardiaz is no stranger to the podium. But even she conceded that it is getting tougher.
“It’s been super-hard, especially this year,” said Suardiaz. “Kylie Belloeuvre gave me a lot of competition. She has progressed so much this last year. I’m super-grateful to become world champion three years in a a row. It’s amazing.”
Neck-and-neck
The conclusion of the world cup in Abu Dhabi saw reigning world champion Suardiaz come in as overnight leader. The stage was set for the climactic super-final. Suardiaz had booked her spot with one win on the board, with France’s Kylie Belloeuvre in second.
The semi-finals to qualify and join the leaders in the super-final saw Mar de Arce go through, while Viola Lippitsch rounded out the super-final line-up.
In the super-final first round Belloeuvre hit the line first, with Suardiaz chasing hard. The pair were neck-and-neck all the way down the course, but in the pump track, Suardiaz hit the mark with her wing and touched down.
It allowed Mar de Arce through in second. Belloeuvre was long gone and took the win. It meant Belloeuvre was tied with Suardiaz on points.
Never looked back
The second super-final round saw Suardiaz tight on Belloeuvre. The Spaniard got the advantage on the line and she never looked back. Belloeuvre tried for all her worth to find a pass but there was no way round. Suardiaz took the win, and with it got the victory in Abu Dhabi.
The men’s title race was still in the balance. France’s Julien Rattotti knew the everything was still to play for. He sat in third overall and could still grab the crown.
Rattotti came out firing in the first semi-final of the super-finals. The Frenchman charged down the track, staying clear of drama behind him. He got the win to go to the super-final.
Behind Rattotti, world title holder, Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo, had a poor start and found himself at the back. France’s Romain Ghio crashed off his foil, allowing Cappuzzo through. The Italian pulled off an audacious pass on the inside of Sebastiano Zorzi to lift him to second.
