Fuerteventura crowns event winners and 2026 Surf-Freestyle World Champions
GWA Wingfoil World Cup Fuerteventura 2026
27 July – 1 August 2026 | Playa de Sotavento
The GWA returned to the legendary shores of Sotavento, Fuerteventura — home to one of the longest-standing water sports events in the world.
This year, the stakes had never been higher, with the World Championship title on the line.
On the women’s side, the title was already decided. Nia Suardiaz had stormed into an unassailable lead, sealing her place as the 2026 Surf-Freestyle Women’s World Champion.
But on the men’s side, nothing was settled. The battle was wide open, and Fuerteventura became a battleground. 26 men and 17 women stepped up, ready to give everything they had to reach the top.
Day one of competition saw all the usual suspects advance through the first rounds. The classic Sotavento wind blew a steady 15 to 20 knots, allowing all the early rounds to be completed. Day two got serious as the elimination rounds got underway.
The men’s quarterfinals delivered high scores and big action, with Benjamin Castenskiold, Chris MacDonald, Rocco Makana and Tom Acherer posting the top scores of the round, each pushing hard for big numbers.
The semifinals were tense, with all four athletes hungry for a spot in the final and a shot at the World Title. Benjamin Castenskiold held a quiet lead throughout. Chris MacDonald sat in second until Axel Gerard landed his Frontside 14 and stole the spot in the final, eliminating MacDonald and Malo Guenole after an incredibly close heat.
The second semifinal was another nail-biter, with all athletes running almost neck and neck throughout. Luca Vuillermet landed an impressive Frontside 14 to take the lead and lock down his spot in the final, followed by Rocco Makana. Charlie Loch and Tom Acherer were eliminated, meaning the only two athletes who could now take the 2026 title were Makana and Castenskiold.
In the women’s quarterfinals, Viola Lippitsch was once again on fire, posting the highest scores of the round, followed by Enoha Laurent, Zoe Trudeau and Nia Suardiaz.
Heading into the semifinals, it was once again Lippitsch — fresh off her win in Gran Canaria — who proved unstoppable, posting an overall heat score of 22.03 to secure her place in the final. Sofia Ginzinger advanced alongside her, locking in another final appearance in her first season on tour.
Zoe Trudeau stormed through an amazing second semifinal, posting an impressive overall score of 24.57 to book her spot in the final alongside the new World Champion, Nia Suardiaz.
Women’s Final
Finals day brought the intensity to a whole new level. The women’s final was first up, with Sofia Ginzinger, Nia Suardiaz, Viola Lippitsch and Zoe Trudeau battling it out for the win in Fuerteventura. What a display of action from all four women, pushing the level of Surf-Freestyle like never before. Viola Lippitsch edged into the lead, with Zoe Trudeau just a fraction behind after landing an impressive Frontside 7 for 9.8 points. Suardiaz and Ginzinger trailed further back. All four held their positions until the final trick attempts — and that’s when the heat flipped. Ginzinger, Suardiaz and Lippitsch each crashed their last attempts, but Trudeau stunned the crowd with a Palau Frontside 3, scoring 8.83 points to boost her into first place. An incredibly well-deserved event win after an outstanding performance for this newcomer on tour who is just 16 years of age.
Final Results Women:
1st Zoe Trudeau (USA)
2nd Viola Lippitsch (AUT)
3rd Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
4th Sofia Ginzinger (ESP)
Men’s Final
The men’s final was equally intense — perhaps even more so, with the 2026 World Title on the line. Castenskiold and Makana were the two contenders still in the running, joined in the final by Axel Gerard and Luca Vuillermet. Makana was feeling the pressure early, crashing his first five trick attempts. Meanwhile, Gerard, Castenskiold and Vuillermet stayed close in points throughout the heat. As the clock wound down, Makana still hadn’t found his flow, falling so far behind that his title chances slipped away. Castenskiold held his lead right to the end, securing not only the event win but the 2026 Surf-Freestyle World Championship title for another year. Vuillermet boosted himself into second place with a final Frontside 14, with Gerard taking third and Makana rounding out fourth.
Final Results Men:
1st: Benjamin Castenskiold (DEN)
2nd: Luca Vuillermet (USA)
3rd: Axel Gerard (FRA)
4th: Rocco Makana (ITA)
What’s Next
That brings the Surf-Freestyle season to a close, with four events and one discard on the books. The level went through the roof all year, with athletes unveiling new tricks at every stop and pushing the sport further each time out. Now, the focus shifts to FreeFly-Slalom for the final days of action in Fuerteventura.
Overall 2026 Season Results Men:
1st: Benjamin Castenskiold (DEN)
2nd: Tom Acherer (AUT)
3rd: Chris MacDonald (USA)
Overall 2026 Season Results Women:
1st: Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
2nd: Viola Lippitsch (AUT)
3rd: Sofia Ginzinger (ESP)
words: Gemma Hamaini
images: Samuel Cárdenas
