TEAM NEWS: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE 2024 FREEFLY-SLALOM CHAMPION

Gear, Competition, Teamwork, and Training: Francesco Cappuzzo Reflects on What Made the Difference in 2024

2024 has been quite a journey for Francesco Cappuzzo. He joined a new team and immediately started winning events. First, he claimed victory on the Italian Kitesurf Tour using his brand-new GONG gear. Then, just a few weeks later, he triumphed at the opening event of the GWA Wingfoil Tour in Leucate. This success was quickly followed by another event win in Fuerteventura.

After a year spent traveling for training, photo shoots, and competitions, Francesco achieved his ultimate goal: securing back-to-back titles in Freefly Slalom. He capped off the season with a historic full-GONG podium at the Brazilian event, alongside his teammates Julien and Bastien.

Let’s meet the man and take a closer look at his remarkable 2024 season.

Photo: WGA Wing Foil Tour.

What was the most pivotal moment for you during the 2024 Freefly-Slalom season?

The most pivotal moment of the year for me was definitely the GWA event in Fuerteventura. It was the first time I was using the new Ypra Race V3, and I was feeling a lot of pressure. I had only had a few practice sessions with it and it felt great but you never know until you’re on the finish line. With only three events in the season and no room for mistakes, every result mattered. I knew that winning there would bring me one step closer to the world title. I gave everything I had, and it paid off. Looking back, that moment really stands out as the turning point of my season.

How did it all start for you at the beginning of the year, and what were the main challenges?

I’d be lying if I said everything was easy and smooth from the start. It wasn’t. I knew I had the full support of the GONG team behind me, which helped me pursue my goal of becoming a two-time world champion. However, stepping into new gear and performing at my best right from the start was a major challenge. Gear is so important in this sport. It’s pretty much like Formula 1. You need to be on the fastest setup to keep up with the riders in front positions. There’s no way around it. Also you need to be perfectly in tune with your gear. Which is gonna take time no matter who you are or which team you move to. It took me a few weeks, even months, to be fully in tune in my setup. But the hard work paid off when I won the first stop in Leucate, which was one of my main goals. It felt like a dream come true, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of the team. At the beginning of the season, my goal was clear: to win again.

Wingfoiler: Francesco, GONG team rider, with a Pulse DP UPE Aramid, Racer FSP Pro and Ypra Race V3 foil. Photo: Wing Foil Racing.

Did you find the speed from the get-go, or did you have to adapt to your new gear?

Luckily, I’ve always been a waterman, experimenting with different sports and gear, which helped me adapt quickly to the new equipment. At first, I wasn’t entirely comfortable, but thanks to the wide range of GONG setups, I was able to find the perfect match for my style. From there, I focused on riding as much as possible to build trust in my gear, leading to a winning debut in Leucate which was kind of crazy. As the season progressed, we developed some new gear that I’m really excited about. I truly believe they’re a game changer.

Can you share insights into your training regimen? How do you balance preparation for Freefly-Slalom, Surf-Freestyle, and Wing Foil Racing?

It might sound simple, but for me, the key is to spend as many hours as possible in the water, regardless of the conditions or gear. I believe that practicing Freestyle tricks boosts your confidence in racing, and vice versa—racing gives you more strength and feeling for Freestyle. So, I try to enjoy every day on the water and train across all disciplines. There are times when I focus more on slalom and racing, and other times when I focus on Freestyle, depending on the event and location. During my winter training, for example, I aim to train in all conditions, every day. One valuable lesson I’ve learned over the years is to train with other riders, especially stronger ones. They push you to improve and help elevate the sport. That’s one of the things that makes the GONG team so strong—we’re all in this together, constantly pushing each other to reach the next level.

Wing foilers: Julien, Francesco and Bastien on the final podium in Brazil.

What specific skills or techniques did you focus on improving for the 2024 campaign?

Last year’s victory showed me that I had what it takes to be world champion. This year, my focus shifted towards strengthening my mindset. I knew I had the skills, but I needed to trust myself more and perform with confidence. I worked on staying relaxed before competitions, figuring out what helped me feel at ease and what didn’t. I also established a stable pre-competition routine. This mental clarity was one of the key differences compared to last year.

How do you mentally prepare before heats? Do you have a game plan?

In both racing and Freestyle, my mental approach depends on the conditions, but I always have a game plan—and sometimes, even two or three, depending on the situation. For Freestyle, I’ve been working on a step-by-step routine, starting with easier, more secure tricks and gradually building up to the more complex ones. This helps me maintain focus and confidence throughout the heat.

Which race and which heat do you feel showcased your best performance this year, and why?

In racing, a standout performance for me was the event in Sardinia. On the final day, during the Gold Fleet, I had a clear plan, and everything just clicked. I won three heats in a row, and the results spoke for themselves.

In Freestyle, the last stop in Brazil was a highlight. I was riding really relaxed, and the tricks just flowed naturally.

As for Freefly-Slalom, I’d say my best performance was in Fuerteventura, where I won almost every final, including the last-day medal series. I felt in my best form during that event.

Your podium finish in the Wing Foil Racing overall standings is impressive, with a strong second place in the last event. Can you analyse your performance at this event? What should you work on to do one better?

I’m really pleased with how I performed, especially because I felt so comfortable with my gear and mentally relaxed, which allowed me to make smarter tactical decisions. Racing requires a lot of strategic thinking, and I feel like I really nailed that. Moving forward, I want to work on maintaining that relaxed mindset throughout the entire season. I also plan to fine-tune my physical fitness and my gear, particularly the starts—definitely room for improvement there!

You reached the quarterfinals in Surf-Freestyle at Jericoacoara. What do you find most exciting or challenging about this category compared to Freefly-Slalom?

Not many people know, but I come from windsurfing Freestyle, which has been my main discipline since I was six. It’s in my DNA—I’m a Freestyler at heart. I dream about tricks, and I love training and competing in Freestyle. However, my body sometimes doesn’t allow me to push as hard as I would like, which can be frustrating. That said, I’m really proud of my performance in Brazil and it gave me a huge boost of motivation for next season. Freestyle is exciting because it’s all about pushing your limits, but it can also be really frustrating because there are no set rules for tricks—it’s just you versus yourself. In contrast, Slalom is more structured. You know exactly what you need to do, and every day is about refining your technique.

Francesco shooting for the new Perf Series wings range between two competitions in Brazil.

How does winning in 2024 with the GONG team compare to your first title in 2023 with a different brand?

Winning for the first time was incredible, but defending my title and winning it again with a new brand and a new team felt even more rewarding. It’s a special feeling to achieve this with such a great team behind me. The first title will always be memorable, but winning the second one feels surreal—it’s like a dream come true.

Are there any standout innovations or equipment that made a key difference for you in 2024?

The first thing we did after I signed with GONG was sit down with the team to start developing new equipment that would really shake up the racing scene. The starting base was already fantastic, and I have to say that the Pulse DP sail is the best race sail on the market—it played a huge part in my success. The Racer board is also incredibly versatile and allowed me to perform well even in light wind. And I can’t leave out the V3 foil—I’m really proud of how far we’ve come with that. With the new products coming soon, I’m confident we’ll be unbeatable.

Francesco winning the title with a Droid Aramid X, a Racer FSP Pro and a Ypra Race setup.

How has being part of the GONG team influenced your approach to training, competition, or even your overall mindset?

Patrice has been a huge influence on me—his mindset and advice have helped me improve in so many ways. Thanks to Coach Flo, I’ve started to take better care of my body, and Patrice has helped me understand what I need to focus on to improve my performance. The team dynamic has also been incredibly motivating. Training and traveling with such talented riders has pushed my motivation to new heights. I truly believe that being part of the GONG team has made me a better rider.

What are your 2025 goals?

As I’ve said before, I’m not stopping any of the disciplines. I’m going to keep pushing myself in all of them, but I do have some priorities for 2025. I want to focus more on racing and continue to push the limits in Slalom, while also enjoying my Freestyle progression and having fun on the water. I’m looking forward to starting the 2025 season with full power!

What’s in your life outside of competing? Any other sports, specific training?

I’m all about the water! Besides Wing Foiling, I love kite surfing, windsurfing, and when there are waves, you’ll find me surfing. I’m pretty boring out of the water though—I feel like a fish out of water when I’m not riding. Aside from that, I train in the gym following Coach Flo’s plan, working to stay as fit as possible and burn as many calories as I can to perform at my best in competitions.

Francesco at home in Italy on a Lethal FSP 2X with an Elips kite.

How do you unwind or recharge during the off-season?

Whenever I need to recharge, I return home to Sicily, to Puzziteddu, where my family and I built an amazing resort called Wind Resort. It’s located in the spot where I grew up, and where my journey began. Every time I come back here, I reconnect with the original motivation that inspired me to start this incredible journey. It gives me the energy I need to dive back into training and get ready for the next season of travels and competitions.

Best of luck for next season! We’re all looking forward to what’s to come.