Alessandro Tomasi and Vaina Picot Capture Titles at WingFoil Racing World Cup in Calabria

Italy's Alessandro Tomasi and France's Vaina Picot emerged victorious at the WingFoil Racing World Cup in Gizzeria, Calabria, mastering a dramatic and weather-delayed final day of competition.[2][7]

The regatta, hosted at Hang Loose Beach, was defined by a stubborn high-pressure system that settled over the Italian peninsula, smothering the region's usually dependable thermal breeze. While organizers managed to complete 16 qualifying races earlier in the week, the intense heat and lack of wind forced the abandonment of the preliminary Medal Series rounds.[3][6]

When a modest 10-knot north-westerly breeze finally materialized on Sunday afternoon, race officials condensed the climax into a high-stakes semi-final and a winner-takes-all final to ensure the event could crown its champions.[4][5]

In the men's division, Tomasi had already bypassed the semi-finals by dominating the qualifying rounds, earning a direct berth to the final alongside New Zealand's Sean Herbert.[1][2]

The decisive men's race quickly developed into a tactical battle. Defending World Cup champion Mathis Ghio of France, who had fought his way through the semi-finals after an uncharacteristically slow start to the week, opted for the beach side of the course alongside Herbert in search of stronger gusts.[2][7]

Ghio briefly reclaimed the lead on the second lap, but Tomasi's exceptional pumping efficiency in the marginal conditions allowed the Italian to reel in the Frenchman. Tomasi executed a crucial pass to clinch the race and the overall event title, leaving Herbert to secure a career-best silver medal and Ghio to settle for bronze.[1][7]

The women's competition followed a similar trajectory, with Vaina Picot entering the final as the top qualifier. Facing off against Italy's Maddalena Spanu, Spain's Iset Segura, and Italy's Charlotte Baruzzi, the French rider delivered one of the most commanding performances of the regatta.[2][3]

Picot established a lead straight off the starting line and steadily stretched her advantage across the course. Behind her, Spanu and Segura engaged in a tight battle for second place, with the Italian defending champion ultimately prevailing to take silver.[3][7]

Following the race, Picot expressed relief after admitting to pre-final nerves, noting that she thrived in the light conditions. Spanu, meanwhile, highlighted her own technical progression, pointing out that a year ago she would have struggled in such marginal winds, but now feels highly competitive against the world's best.[3][7]

The Gizzeria results significantly reshape the season standings as the fleet prepares for the sport's biggest stage. Riders will now take a brief hiatus before converging on Istanbul, Turkey, for the Formula Wing World Championship in mid-August, with the World Cup tour set to resume in Sardinia this September.[4][5]