Wingfoil Racing World Cup Debuts in Gizzeria, Italy

The Wingfoil Racing World Cup is making its Calabria debut in Gizzeria, with world-class riders competing in the warm Mediterranean waters and reliable thermal breezes.

The Wingfoil Racing World Cup has set sail in Calabria, marking its first appearance in the picturesque region of Gizzeria. This fourth stop of the 2026 season brings together the world’s elite wingfoilers to compete in the sport’s fastest-growing international competition.

The event, organized by the Circolo Velico Hang Loose in collaboration with Hang Loose Italy and the International Wing Sports Association (IWSA), promises five days of intense competition. The reliable afternoon winds and warm Mediterranean waters of Gizzeria provide the perfect backdrop for testing both speed and tactical prowess.

Top Contenders Face Off in Gizzeria

Poland’s Kamil Manowiecki arrives in Italy as the man to beat, seeking a third consecutive World Cup victory after dominant wins in Turkey and Switzerland. ‘I’m feeling pretty good coming into this event,’ Manowiecki stated.

‘We’re expecting good breeze up to 18 knots and some waves – all conditions I love.’

His main rival, Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo returns to waters he knows intimately. ‘I love being here because it was where I had one of my first big competitions back in 2026,’ Cappuzzo shared. ‘I was back here recently for the Italian Championships and, what’s more, I can look across the water and see Sicily, where I’m from.’

Opening Day Surprises

The opening day of competition delivered unexpected twists and turns. The anticipated 18-knot breeze never fully materialized, with winds around 11-13 knots keeping the leaderboard fluid throughout the afternoon.

Italian rider Ernesto De Amicis faced a dramatic equipment failure just minutes before the opening race. His boom gave way, forcing him back to the beach to inflate a replacement wing. Despite the setback, De Amicis launched in pursuit of the field and managed to finish in the top ten. ‘I was wondering if there was even any point in doing the race,’ De Amicis admitted. ‘But I thought, “Let’s see what happens.” I’m glad I did because I managed to pass most of the fleet and finish in the top ten, which was awesome.’

The men’s fleet witnessed a thrilling photo finish in the opening race. New Zealand’s Sean Herbert hunted down Italy’s Gregorio Pugliese on the final downwind leg, but Pugliese just managed to hold on for victory.

Rising Stars Shine

Young American Kai Mirel continues to impress on the circuit. During the final race of the day, Mirel found himself in unfamiliar territory at the front of the fleet. ‘I was reaching the top mark in first place and looked around because I’m not used to it,’ Mirel said. ‘I started thinking, “What do I do now?”’ Despite his initial hesitation, Mirel finished that race in fourth place.

Women’s Fleet Delivers Exciting Battles

The women’s competition has been equally compelling. Defending World Cup champion Maddalena Spanu arrived in Calabria expecting another duel with France’s Vaina Picot after their dramatic battle in Switzerland.

‘The women’s fleet is always getting stronger,’ Spanu noted. ‘But I like these conditions, so I’m going into this feeling good.’

Picot immediately laid down a marker by winning three of the day’s four races. However, Spanu ensured she remained firmly in contention by taking victory in the final race of the afternoon.

Another Italian, Charlotte Baruzzi emerged as one of the day’s success stories. Baruzzi consistently challenged the established stars, collecting three third-place finishes to underline her growing reputation.

Gizzeria Proves to Be a World-Class Venue

The event has highlighted Gizzeria as a world-class venue for wingfoiling. The reliable thermal breezes and warm Mediterranean waters have provided ideal conditions for competition. The field of approximately 60 international riders, including a strong contingent of Italian athletes, has been impressed by the challenging yet fair racing conditions.

Mirco Babini, president of the International Wing Sports Association, expressed his satisfaction with the event. ‘It’s always a pleasure to return to Gizzeria. This race course never disappoints, and the athletes are always happy to compete here.’

With four days of racing still to come before Sunday’s medal series, the competition remains wide open. The opening exchanges have only served to sharpen the intrigue as the world’s best wingfoilers battle it out in Calabria’s perfect conditions.