Francia vibra con el Wingfoil y la Tramontana desata la acción en Leucate

France thrills with Wingfoil and the Tramontana unleashes action in Leucate

April 27, 2025

Aloha, SUELTALABARRA family! 💨 The legendary Mondial du Vent in Leucate-La Franqui, France, roared back with the force of the Tramontana, setting the stage for the start of the 2025 GWA Wingfoil World Cup. The reigning world champions arrived eager to retain their titles, and wingfoil continues to grow. 🤩

The young Spaniard Nia Suardíaz, just 18 years old and already a two-time world champion in Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom, has begun her journey to stay at the top of this iconic event, which this year celebrates its 28th edition. And watch out! Nia isn't content, as she holds four world wingfoil titles, including the Big Air and, recently conquered, the Wave in Cape Verde. A true queen of the seas! 👑

But Nia isn't complacent. Aware of the rising level of her rivals (16 entrants in Freefly-Slalom and 15 in Surf-Freestyle), she knows she'll have to work harder than ever to continue dominating. In Freefly-Slalom, Frenchwoman Kylie Belloeuvre, last season's runner-up, appears to be one of her main threats.

In Surf-Freestyle, fellow Spaniard Mar de Arce is shaping up to be a serious contender for Nia throughout the four stops of the season, which will culminate again in Jericoacoara, Brazil. A Spanish duel is in the offing!

In the men's Surf-Freestyle category, the reigning world champion, American Chris MacDonald 🇺🇸, arrived in Leucate as the man to beat. Last year, he began his successful title defense right here, with winds of up to 50 knots that reminded him of his hometown of Hood River, Oregon. He felt right at home! And the forecast for the six days of competition (plus a reserve day) was no different, with the icy Tramontana descending from the snow-capped Pyrenees to batter the coast.

However, MacDonald won't have it easy. Austrian twins Tomas and Aleksander Acherer 🇦🇹 burst onto the scene at the end of last year, taking first and second place at the final stop in Brazil. The Austrian threat is present! The French fleet also has its assets, with young Axel Gerard 🇫🇷 (ranked number two) hungry for victory, and former Surf-Freestyle World Champion Malo Guénolé 🇫🇷 always in the mix.

In the men's FreeFly Slalom, Italy's Francesco Cappuzzo 🇮🇹 arrived in Leucate with the firm intention of getting off to a good start in his campaign for a third consecutive title. And he succeeded! Cappuzzo repeated his victory from last year in this iconic event, marking the start of a season that will culminate in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

But Cappuzzo felt the pressure more than ever from the French trio of Julien Rattotti 🇫🇷, Bastien Escofet 🇫🇷, and Oscar Leclair 🇫🇷. Leclair even outscored Cappuzzo twice during the tour's final stops in Brazil!

Finally, after six days of intense competition and with the Tramontana as the undisputed protagonist, these were the new champions of the 2025 Mondial du Vent:

Women's Surf-Freestyle:

🥇 Nia Suardiaz (ESP)

🥈 Maple Sea (ESP)

🥉 Sofia Marchetti (ITA)

🏅 Viola Lippitsch (AUT)

Men's Surf-Freestyle:

🥇 Chris MacDonald (USA)

🥈 Tom Acherer (AUT)

🥉 Aleks Acherer (AUT)

🏅Benjamin Castenskiold (DEN)

Women's FreeFly-Slalom:

🥇 Nia Suadiaz (ESP)

🥈 Kylie Belloeuvre (FRA)

🥉 Maple Sea (ESP)

🏅 Viola Lippitsch (AUT)

Men's FreeFly-Slalom:

🥇 Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA)

🥈 Julien Rattotti (FRA)

🥉 Bastien Escofet (FRA)

🏅 Alessandro Tomasi (ITA)

Official data from the @wingfoilworldtour GWA Wingfoil World Cup Leucate. 🏆 Images by 📸 @lukas_k_stiller

The 2025 Mondial du Vent was a true festival of wind and sport, marking an exciting start to the season in the GWA Wingfoil World Cup. We at SUELTALABARRA.com congratulate all the champions and look forward to the next stop.