GWA Qualifying Series Spain 2022 Results

The GWA Wingfoil Qualifying Series Spain (NALU Galicia) event in northern Spain, 23 – 25 September, was the first mobile wingfoil event ever in Europe – with the aim of hunting solid wave conditions

Words: Celtia Rebolledo Heil
Photos: Samuel Cardenas
Videos: Sundown Entertainment

Providing opportunities for national event organisers to stage competitions inline with the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, the Qualifying Series also aims to help and nurture rider development in the sport. As so many riders are applying for positions to compete on the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, at the end of the 2022 season the top five ranked male and female riders on the QS tour in the Surf-Freestyle and Surf-Slalom disciplines will qualify for the full GWA Wingfoil World Tour in 2023.

NALU GALICIA GWA WINGFOIL QUALIFYING SERIES 2022

23-25 September 2022
LOCATIONS: Praia de Furnas / Playa de Santa Cristina

The first two days of the three day competition focused on the Surf-Freestyle discipline at Praia de Furnas. The wind increased throughout the day to 20 knots with excellent wave conditions.

Riders had 15 attempts in total (tricks or waves) and the two best waves and the best trick counted towards overall heat score.

On the final day, the crew moved to Playa de Santa Cristina to run Surf-Slalom in 16 knots and flat water that made for high paced action.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Surf-Freestyle:
Highest trick score came from Alan Fedit (France), earning 9.37 for front flip front side 360 against Pablo Padillan (Spain) and Juan Jose (Spain) in heat four.

Highest wave score was by Pablo Padilla, 9.23.

Surf-Slalom:
Eight men’s heats ran, each with very close rounds between Alan Fedit (France), Martin Sande (Spain), Oscar Lecleir (France), Jeremiah McDonald (New Zealand) and Liliam Juppet (France).

Three women’s heats were contested between Sonia Le Boutillier (France), Lena Thyssen (Germany) and Julia Castro (Spain).

NALU GALICIA GWA QUALIFYING SERIES
FINAL RESULTS:

MEN’S SURF-FREESTYLE
1 Liliam Juppet (France)
2 Martin Sande Spain)
3 Pablo Padilla (Spain)
4 Chucho Nonnot (France)

WOMEN’S SURF-FREESTYLE
1 Julia Castro (Spain)
2 Lena Thyssen (Germany)
3 Sonia Le Boutillier (France)

MEN’S SURF-SLALOM
1 Alan Fedit (France)
2 Martin Sande (Spain)
3 Oscar Leclair (France)
4 Liliam Juppet (France)

WOMEN’S SURF-SLALOM
1 Sonia Le Boutillier (France)
2 Lena Thyssen (Germany)
3 Julia Castro (Spain)