TEAM NEWS : BASTIEN TAKES SECOND, FRANCESCO CLIMBS BACK TO FOURTH.

GONG team riders both make the final of the last Wingfoil Racing event!

The 2025 Wingfoil Racing World Cup wrapped up in Jericoacoara, and once again Brazil delivered everything it’s famous for: wind that never quits, courses stacked with seaweed traps, and racing so tight you forget to breathe. For Team GONG, it was a week of big moves, big dreams and big performances from Bastien Escofet and Francesco Cappuzzo, who kept the heat on the world’s best from Day 1 to the last photo finish.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on his Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Race and full Ypra Race foil setup. Photo: Wingfoil Racing Tour.

A Brutal Start & Bastien in Beast Mode

The week opened with punishing long-distance runs that felt more like survival missions. Seaweed fields turned the course into a foiling obstacle challenge, but Bastien powered straight through, never dropping outside the top two on Day 1. It set the tone, he was here to fight for the win.

The switch to a shorter course on Day 2 unleashed the full-speed chaos Jeri is known for. With punchy 20-knot breeze and rapid-fire heats, the pace was frantic. Cappuzzo and Bastien both settled into strong form, while the fleet reshuffled toward the decisive gold-fleet battles.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on his Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Race and full Ypra Race foil setup. Photo: Wingfoil Racing Tour.

Crash Chaos, Comebacks & GONG in the Mix

Day 3 delivered the moment everyone would be talking about! A spectacular pileup that sent riders and foils flying like popcorn. Bastien stayed out of trouble and hammered through the day with multiple top-three finishes and two big wins, locking himself firmly into podium contention.

Cappuzzo chipped away too, climbing steadily toward the pointy end as the field tightened for cut day.

Wing foiler: Francesco, GONG team rider, on his Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Race and full Ypra Race foil setup.

Cut Day: Bastien Straight to the Final

With the medal series looming, only the top nine would qualify, nerves were high. While riders on the bubble were sweating heavily, Bastien delivered another race win and secured second overall, earning a direct ticket to the final. Cappuzzo stayed well in the game heading toward the repechage and semis, lining up for a late week strike.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on his Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Race and full Ypra Race foil setup. Photo: Wingfoil Racing Tour.

Finals Day: Fireworks & Photo Finishes

Saturday brought the showdown everyone wanted. First, Cappuzzo exploded out of the blocks in the men’s semi-final, winning the race outright and pushing through to the final. A massive clutch performance when it mattered most.

In the last battle of the season, the wind was on, the fleet was hungry, and Bastien made his intentions clear, full throttle. He held the silver position for most of the race while chasing Manowiecki, who ultimately sealed the event win. Behind them, the fight for bronze came down to mere centimetres, with Ghio just edging out Cappuzzo in one of the tightest finishes of the year.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on his Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Race and full Ypra Race foil setup. Photo: Wingfoil Racing Tour.

Final takeaway?

GONG lands two riders in the medal final of the toughest event of the season, with Bastien securing silver in Jeri, and Cappuzzo delivering heroics to finish just shy of the podium.

A Season Ends, Momentum Builds

The season wraps with a fantastic overall showing for Team GONG: Francesco Cappuzzo finishes 4th in the world, Bastien Escofet closes the year 5th overall, and in the women’s fleet Charlie Barruzzi secures an impressive 5th place worldwide. A powerful confirmation that GONG riders, and GONG gear, are firmly embedded among the planet’s fastest wingfoilers.

On to 2026.

The fire is lit.

Wing foiler: Charlie, GONG team rider, on his Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Race and full Ypra Race foil setup. Photo: Wingfoil Racing Tour.