GWA Wingfoil World Cup Morocco | Final Day

6th of November, 2021

Report Gemma Hamaini  Photos Svetlana Romantsova  Video Mintautas Grigas

It was a spectacular day of racing for the final moments of the GWA Wingfoil World Tour in Dakhla, Morocco. The event site was moved to PK25 Hotel Dakhla on the lagoon for some flat-water, full-speed, racing action. The conditions were optimal with 20 knots of wind, and a perfect high-tide. We completed two more full eliminations for the men, and four eliminations for the women, meaning men were allowed one race discard, whilst the women had three.

Men’s Elimination 4

Titouan Galea meant business from the get-go, after losing the last race yesterday, today he was focused and determined, and held a lead throughout the 4th Elimination Final. Mathis Ghio did a repeat performance of yesterday, and was on Titouan’s heels throughout the entire race, but was not able to overtake him for the lead. Francesco Capuzzo tried his best to keep up and grabbed the 3rd position.

Men’s Elimination 5 

The wind strength increased as the day progressed, and for the final of Elimination 5, it was Mathis Ghio first through the start. He went flying down the first reach, but Titouan Galea stole his lead with a risky overtake at the first mark. Francesco advanced through most of the race in 3rd, but was finally overtaken by Hugo Marin who stole 3rd place from him in the last moments.

Titouan claimed a well earned victory in the Race Discipline at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Morocco. He proved that his speed and consistency made him unbeatable on the race course today. We will have to see if Mathis Ghio, Francesco Cappuzzo or Hugo Marin can catch up to him at our next upcoming event in Fortaleza, Brazil. 

“There was some super tight racing today with Mathis, it was great fun,” said Titouan. “Now we will go for the expression session to make the most of these great conditions.”

The final men’s rankings for the Race Discipline are:

1st Titouan Galea

2nd Mathis Ghio

3rd Francesco Cappuzzo

4th Hugo Marin

Women’s Elimination 7

Fiona Wylde wasted no time this afternoon, blasting her way across the start line, she bolted her way through the course. Bowien van der Linden was close behind her, but lost valuable time  when she misjudged one of the marks. Paula Novotna, feeling visibly better on this course today, took advantage of the situation and advanced into 2nd place, followed by Oran Cerise in 3rd. 

Elimination 8 

Fiona Wylde held another good lead for Elimination 8, but went down on the very last reach, allowing Orane Ceris to seize the moment and take her first win. She was followed by Bowien van der Linden in 2nd, and Paula Novotna cruising through in 3rd. 

Elimination 9 

What a match up between Fiona Wylde and Bowien van der Linden for Elimination 9, where both girls kept over-taking each other for the lead. Just when it looked like Bowien had it, Fiona chose a different line and advanced into the lead, stealing yet another win. Bowien finished in 2nd followed by Orane Ceris.

Elimination 10

For the final women’s elimination of the day, Fiona Wylde was unstoppable, and cruised through with a very solid lead. She proved that she is as confident with her racing as she is with the surf-freestyle discipline, taking her 4th win of the day. Bowien van der Linden once again grabbed 2nd place, Orane Ceris in 3rd and Paula Novotna in 4th.

With the penultimate GWA Wingfoil World Tour event coming up very shortly in Brazil, it will be interesting to see what will happen as these women make a last push to advance their positions in the overall rankings. One thing is very clear, Fiona Wylde will once again be crowned Queen of the Desert here in Dakhla, Morocco.

“Today was really incredible. The racing was really tight between myself and Bowien,” said Fiona. “It was two amazing days of racing. Im definitely very tired now, but also extremely happy.”

The final rankings for the Women’s Race Discipline are:

1st Fiona Wylde

2nd Bowien van der Linden

3rd Orane Ceris

4th Paula Novotna

We would also like to congratulate the GWA Wingfoil Race African Champions. 1st place to Hendrick Lopes from Cabo Verde, and 2nd place to Laarbi Eddarkaoui from Morocco.

Dakhla has provided exceptional conditions for both the Surf-Freestyle discipline and the Race discipline for us this week, and shows us why it is known as a top global location for wingfoiling. We would like to thank all of the sponsors, organizers, athletes and crew for this fantastic event this Dakhla, Morocco. 

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