Spain’s Nia Suardiaz lands third successive title while France’s Bastien Escofet delights in first crown
GWA Wingfoil World Cup Abu Dhabi
28 October-02 November, 2025 | Fahid Island
Spain’s Nia Suardiaz landed her third successive FreeFly-Slalom world title in light conditions in Abu Dhabi, while the French veteran, Bastien Escofet, grabbed his first crown.
Both Suardiaz and Escofet were pushed to the limit in their respective super-finals at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Abu Dhabi. Escofet had to be content with second place after Italy’s Alessandro Tomasi took the overall victory in Abu Dhabi with two super-final heat wins.
“It was such a roller coaster of emotions,” said Escofet. “At one point I was not qualifying for the final. Then everyone was ‘over early’ and I got into the final with a bulltet. Being second here makes me world champion, so I’m super, super happy. I’m stoked and tired and emotional. I’ve been working really hard in training, and it finally paid off.”
With eight wingfoil world titles now to her name, 18-year-old Suardiaz is no stranger to the podium. But even she conceded that it is getting tougher.
“It’s been super-hard, especially this year,” said Suardiaz. “Kylie Belloeuvre gave me a lot of competition. She has progressed so much this last year. I’m super-grateful to become world champion three years in a a row. It’s amazing.”
Neck-and-neck
The conclusion of the world cup in Abu Dhabi saw reigning world champion Suardiaz come in as overnight leader. The stage was set for the climactic super-final. Suardiaz had booked her spot with one win on the board, with France’s Kylie Belloeuvre in second.
The semi-finals to qualify and join the leaders in the super-final saw Mar de Arce go through, while Viola Lippitsch rounded out the super-final line-up.
In the super-final first round Belloeuvre hit the line first, with Suardiaz chasing hard. The pair were neck-and-neck all the way down the course, but in the pump track, Suardiaz hit the mark with her wing and touched down.
It allowed Mar de Arce through in second. Belloeuvre was long gone and took the win. It meant Belloeuvre was tied with Suardiaz on points.
Never looked back
The second super-final round saw Suardiaz tight on Belloeuvre. The Spaniard got the advantage on the line and she never looked back. Belloeuvre tried for all her worth to find a pass but there was no way round. Suardiaz took the win, and with it got the victory in Abu Dhabi.
The men’s title race was still in the balance. France’s Julien Rattotti knew the everything was still to play for. He sat in third overall and could still grab the crown.
Rattotti came out firing in the first semi-final of the super-finals. The Frenchman charged down the track, staying clear of drama behind him. He got the win to go to the super-final.
Behind Rattotti, world title holder, Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo, had a poor start and found himself at the back. France’s Romain Ghio crashed off his foil, allowing Cappuzzo through. The Italian pulled off an audacious pass on the inside of Sebastiano Zorzi to lift him to second.
Dreams ended
Cappuzzo lived to fight again in the semi-final repechage. The Italian led at the first mark and never looked back. But it turned out he sailed the wrong course and was disqualified. It ended his chance of a top-four finish, and with it went his dreams of a third consecutive world title.
Ghio was promoted to the win and books a place in the super-final, where he joined Julien Rattotti. Italy’s Alessandro Tomasi and Bastien Escofet, of France, were already waiting there, courtesy of their elimination round performances.
Escofet sat top of the pile, with one win in his pocket. One more win would give him victory in Abu Dhabi and the title.
In the super-final first round, the Frenchman made a good start. But he dipped a wing tip in the water and dropped back out of contention.
‘Super-happy’
Tomasi forged to the front, chased by Ghio and Rattotti. Rattotti would not let up and passed Ghio on the inside at a mark. Tomasi went clear to take the win, with Rattotti in second.
The super-final’s second round saw Escofet and Tomasi go in tied, with one win each. Rattotti, who was still in contention for the world title, took the first mark in the lead.
But the Frenchman looked underpowered and Tomasi passed him easily. Escofet pulled off the same move on Rattotti. Tomasi held his nerve and pushed to the line first. It earned him his first world cup win in Abu Dhabi.
“I did it,” said Tomasi. “It’s been tricky. But I got two races out of two. I’m super-happy.”
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Svetlana Romantsova
GWA Wingfoil World Cup Abu Dhabi 2025
FreeFly-Slalom results
Men
1 Alessandro Tomasi (ITA)
2 Bastien Escofet (FRA)
3 Julien Rattotti (FRA)
4 Roman Ghio (FRA)
Women
1 Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
2 Kylie Belloeuvre (FRA)
3 Mar de Arce (ESP)
4 Viola Lippitsch (AUT)
GWA FreeFly-Slalom World Championship 2025
Men
1 Bastien Escofet (FRA)
2 Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA)
3 Julien Rattotti (FRA)
Women
1 Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
2 Kylie Belloeuvre (FRA)
3 Mar de Arce (ESP)
Spot Info: Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi
Wind
Fahid Island is being developed as a purpose-built watersports’ facility and sits next to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island Marina, home of the Formula 1 circuit. The breezes in late October tend to be light-to-moderate, building to between 12 and 18 knots as the day goes on. The wind blows mainly cross-onshore from the north, with the seas remaining mostly flat in the bay sheltered by islands.
Weather
Sea temperatures in October and November are still warm, ranging from 28°C to 31°C, so board shorts and a rashie are all that is necessary on the water. The air temperature ranges from a low of 28°C overnight, to a high of 35°C in the day. Sunrise is at about 06.00 with sunset at about 18.40.
