TEAM NEWS: THE FAVORITES LEAD IN FREEFLY-SLALOM!
Day one ends with a tight battle among the world’s top 3!
Three elimination rounds—with quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals—were launched in Fuerteventura under lighter winds than the previous day, when our team riders claimed a double podium in Surf-Freestyle.
In the category focused on speed and the art of racing on highly technical courses, our team riders Francesco Cappuzzo and Bastien Escofet stood out—ranked first and third in the championship, respectively. Clearly in perfect sync with gear they handle with precision, they placed their Ypra Race and Droid SP Aramid CZ wings at the front right from the early heats. Speed is on their side, and a strong start followed by flawless maneuvering typically guarantees a first-place finish.
But the margin for error is razor-thin. A slight wind shadow from an upwind competitor forced Francesco into two extra maneuvers, while Bastien misjudged a maneuver while in the lead—both incidents costing them qualification for one of the three finals.
Bastien quickly bounced back by winning the next final, while Francesco placed second in the two other finals held. At the end of this opening day, they sit in 3rd and 4th in the provisional standings—positions that would qualify them for the final rounds where everything will be decided.
Today, four more elimination rounds are expected. These rounds will determine who advances to the final heats.
- Follow the action live on the GWA livestream.
- Get real-time reactions from our riders on our social media channels.
Wing foiler: Francesco, GONG team rider, on the Racer FSP Pro, Droid SP Aramid CZ and Ypra Race foil.
Wing Droid SP Aramid CZ
Foil Ypra Race V3 - Carbon HM 112
Foil Front Wing Ypra Race V3
Foil Stab Ypra Race V3
