TEAM NEWS: CHARLIE AND FRANCESCO WIN IN ITALY!
Our team riders crowned national wing foil racing champions in the Strait of Messina.
The Calabrian tip of the Italian boot hosted the national wing foil racing championship this weekend. A competition utterly dominated by Francesco, who won all 21 races contested, despite strong contenders for the title such as Ernesto De Amicis (5th in the world in 2023) and Michele Capitani.
On the women’s side, Charlie Baruzzi also placed her Racer FSP Pro on the top step of the podium, and in style, finishing 9th overall in a competition where men and women raced together on the same starting line.
Wing Foilers: Charlie and Francesco, GONG Team Riders, 2025 Italian Champions.
Reactions from Charlie and Francesco
Charlie Baruzi “We had three days of racing with wind between 13 and 20 knots and strong currents, during which we completed 21 races. I was riding the Racer 5’6” board with the Ypra Race 540 foil and a 6.0 Pulse Race wing.
I’m really happy with the result I achieved! The feeling with my gear was perfect. I had power and was able to make the most of it.”
Francesco Cappuzzo “Over the course of the event, we completed 20 short track races and 1 long distance race, all under ideal racing conditions. The current would shift direction every six hours, creating alternating conditions between flat water and strong chop, a real test of adaptability and strategy.
I’m incredibly stoked to have taken the win in all 21 races, after tight and intense battles with Ernesto De Amicis and Michele Capitani, two exceptional competitors who really pushed me to stay sharp at every moment.
This result wouldn’t have been possible without my GONG gear, which performed flawlessly across all conditions. I raced with the Pulse Race 7.0, a Racer 5’8”, and the Ypra Race 540 front wing paired with the 135 tail.
In just three days, I sailed over 300 km, hitting a top speed of 31.5 knots during one of the short track races. The best preparation I could have dreamed of for what's ahead, with excellent speed and a very complete competition format.
Big thanks to the organizers, all the riders, and of course GONG for the support and innovation behind this next-level gear. This event was the perfect warm-up for the key competitions coming up soon. I’m feeling ready and fired up!”
Wing foiler: Charlie, GONG team rider, on a Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Aramid DP, Ypra Race mast and foil.
Foil Ypra Race V3 - Carbon HM 112
Foil Front Wing Ypra Race V3
Foil Stab Ypra Race V3
Foil Mast Ypra Race 112
