Europe’s wind capital delivers drama to the final trick
GWA Wingfoil World Cup Tarifa 2026
24-27 June, 2026 | Valdevaqueros
The GWA Wingfoil World Cup is back in Tarifa, Spain — and Europe’s wind capital delivered exactly what you’d expect. With 28 men and 19 women on the start list, the field was stacked from the opening horn, bringing together the world’s best Surf-Freestyle talent on one of the tour’s most iconic stretches of coastline.
The forecast held firm across all four days of competition, with consistent Poniente wind giving athletes the platform they needed to unleash their best riding. The result was four days of high-level Surf-Freestyle action that set the tone for the rest of the season.
Women’s Division
The women’s draw in Tarifa showcased the depth of talent emerging in wingfoiling, with a crop of young athletes making their mark on the World Cup stage.
Quarter final standout Sofia Ginzinger, just 13 years old and competing on home waters, scored 17.83 points to advance to the semi finals — a result that confirmed her status among the sport’s rising elite. Fellow local Nia Suardiaz raised the roof on Valdevaqueros beach with a fired-up performance in front of a passionate home crowd.
Marie Sclittenbauer made a significant return to competition after missing the opening event in Leucate through injury, picking up where she left off with 26.87 points.
The semi-finals played out under perfect poniente wind in front of a packed Valdevaqueros beach — and the home crowd had plenty to cheer about.
Nia Suardiaz was in her element competing at her home spot, leading the heat from the gun with calm authority. Sofia Ginzinger, one of wingfoiling’s most exciting new names, pushed hard throughout and matched her stride for stride. Both local athletes advanced to the final, eliminating Zoe Marie Schonwetter and Lilly Holzer in the process.
The second semi-final was a different story. Marie Schlittenbauer opened with a bang — 8 points on her first trick — before a run of crashed attempts put her lead under pressure. She steadied the ship with a committed Back Mode to re-establish herself at the top. Milla Danguy, meanwhile, was putting together one of the cleanest heats of the day, landing solid trick after solid trick to book her spot in her first-ever final. Allegra Caffi and Sofia Marchetti were eliminated at this stage.
The women’s final had everything — a home crowd, a first-time finalist, and a last-gasp score that flipped the result on its head.
Suardiaz and Ginzinger were riding in front of their home crowd, Schlittenbauer was hunting her first win of the season, and Danguy was making her finals debut — and she looked anything but a newcomer. Consistent, composed, and clinical throughout the event, Danguy led the heat at the halfway mark while Suardiaz and Schlittenbauer struggled to convert several attempts. Ginzinger was riding solidly in third.
Then came the final exchanges. Schlittenbauer, with everything on the line, unleashed a 9.33 on her very last attempt — rocketing from outside the podium to first place in a single trick. A stunning finish to take the win in Tarifa.
Nia Suardiaz finished second, Milla Danguy third, and Sofia Ginzinger fourth. One of the most compelling women’s finals the Tarifa crowd has witnessed.
Final women’s results:
1st – Marie Schlittenbauer (GER)
2nd – Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
3rd – Milla Danguy (FRA)
4th – Sofia Ginzinger (ESP)
Men’s Division
The men’s draw was stacked with young talent from top to bottom, and it showed — close-fought heats made every round a genuine battle with no easy passes.
Benjamin Castenskiold and Axel Gerard edged through the quarter-finals in a tightly contested clash with Lukas Lam and Luca Vuillermet. Chris MacDonald looked sharp and advanced with authority, with Franz Schlittenbauer pushing through close behind.
Rocco Makana and Sacha Pallier eliminated Noe Cuyala and Kalle Dinant, while the final quarter-final belonged to Tom Acherer — a firing heat scoring 26.57 points overall sent him and Malo Guenole straight through to the semis.
The men’s semi-finals were as close as it gets — every trick counted, every crash cost, and no one was giving an inch.
From the opening exchanges, the level was high. By the midway mark, Chris MacDonald and Benjamin Castenskiold had edged ahead, with Sacha Pallier and Malo Guenole locked in just fractions behind. It stayed that way until the final trick attempts, when Pallier and Guenole both crashed — handing MacDonald and Castenskiold their final spots.
Semi-final two opened with a statement from Rocco Makana — back-to-back scores in the 8s put him in control early. But big tricks bring big risk, and crashes were costly across the board. Gerard and Makana held the lead at the halfway point, only for Tom Acherer to find another gear when it mattered most, stealing the lead late and advancing alongside Makana. Franz Schlittenbauer and Axel Gerard were eliminated — both by fractions of a point.
The men’s final was everything the occasion demanded — a packed Valdevaqueros beach, four hungry finalists, and a performance from Castenskiold that left no room for debate.
MacDonald, Makana, and Castenskiold came out swinging, all posting scores in the 20s within their opening attempts. Acherer had a rougher start, back-to-back crashes putting him on the back foot early. Castenskiold then landed his second 9-point score of the heat — a statement of intent that shifted the dynamic entirely.
Heading into the final attempts, MacDonald, Makana, and Castenskiold were locked in close, with Acherer trying to close the gap. But Castenskiold was already out of reach. A commanding, dominant performance from the Dane sealed the win at the second Surf-Freestyle event of the season.
Benjamin Castenskiold — winner in Tarifa. MacDonald second, Makana third, Acherer fourth.
Final Men’s Results:
1st – Benjamin Castenskiold (DEN)
2nd – Christopher Macdonald (USA)
3rd – Thomas Acherer (AUT)
4th – Rocco Makana (ITA)
Tarifa has delivered one of the standout events of the season — a showcase of raw talent, high-stakes competition, and the kind of drama that only Valdevaqueros can produce. With Castenskiold claiming his second win of the year and Schlittenbauer bouncing back from injury in emphatic style, the title races is very much alive. The GWA Wingfoil World Tour moves on — and if Tarifa is anything to go by, the best is still to come.
words: Gemma Hamaini
images: Samuel Cárdenas
