Under ideal Maloja conditions, the Formula Wing Youth World Championships and WingFoil Open Masters World Championships completed eight short-track races on Lake Silvaplana, bringing the qualifying phase to a close and setting the stage for the opening Gold Fleet battles.
In the Formula Wing Youth Men World Championship, the established frontrunners continued to set the pace, while the Formula Wing Youth Women fleet witnessed another flawless performance from France's Vaina Picot. In the WingFoil Open Masters World Championship, consistency proved decisive as Italy's Paolo Migliorini moved into the overall lead after one of the most competitive days of the event so far.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
Formula Wing youth men: De Amicis strengthens overall lead
The transition from long-distance racing to short-track competition did little to alter the hierarchy at the front of the Formula Wing Youth Men fleet.
Italy's Ernesto De Amicis delivered one of the most dominant performances of the championship so far, repeatedly finishing at the front of the fleet throughout the day and extending his overall lead after twelve races completed. Behind him, Kosta Gladiadis (NZL) and Banjo Nicholson (AUS) continued their battle for the top positions, with both riders remaining firmly in contention heading into the Gold Fleet phase.
Nicholson claimed multiple race victories throughout the day, while Gladiadis responded with a win in the final race of the session, ensuring that the fight for the world title remains wide open. Consistent performances from Connor Radford (AUS) and Michele Capitani (ITA) also kept both riders among the leading contenders as the qualifying series concluded.
Reflecting on his performance, De Amicis credited his success to maintaining confidence in his decisions throughout the day.
"I was really happy with my approach and the consistency I managed to maintain throughout the day. My strategy was to be confident in my choices. Even when others were doing something different, I trusted my decisions and never doubted my actions. Having a clear strategy before going on the water is very important, and today it worked."
With qualifying now complete, the top twenty riders advance to the Gold Fleet, where the championship battle will enter its decisive stage.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
Formula Wing Youth Women: Picot extends perfect record
France's Vaina Picot continued her remarkable run of form, remaining unbeaten after twelve races and extending her perfect scoreline through another dominant day of short-track racing.
Picot claimed victory in all eight races completed on Wednesday, maintaining a flawless record that leaves her firmly in control of the overall standings.|
Behind the French rider, the fight for second place remains one of the closest contests in the championship. Yana Li (CHN) holds second overall by a single point over Klara Chalupnikova (CZE), with both riders repeatedly challenging each other throughout the day's racing.
Li reflected on the competition after racing: "My speed was there today, especially downwind where I was always able to catch back up. Almost every race I finished second and I want to keep that second position until the medal series. Vaina and Klara are both very strong competitors, so every race is a challenge."
Anna Helies (FRA) remains fourth overall, while Emma Webb (AUS) completes the top five heading into the next phase of competition.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
WingFoil Open Masters: Migliorini takes control after tight contest
The WingFoil Open Masters fleet produced some of the closest and most competitive racing of the championship so far, with victories shared among several riders throughout the day.
Italy's Paolo Migliorini emerged as the overall leader thanks to exceptional consistency across both the long-distance and short-track formats. Rarely outside the leading positions, Migliorini converted steady results into a valuable advantage at the top of the standings.
Chris Rashley (GBR) holds second overall, while Anton Kuzmenko (UKR) climbed into third after finishing the day strongly with two victories and a second place in the closing races.
Jaroslaw Miarczynski (POL) and Juan Santa Cruz (ESP) complete the top five, underlining the depth and competitiveness of the Masters fleet as the championship progresses.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
All eyes on tomorrow's Gold Fleet
With the qualifying phase now complete, attention turns to the opening Gold Fleet races in the Formula Wing Youth Men World Championship, where the leading twenty riders will begin the decisive battle for the world title.
Forecasts indicate another opportunity for the Maloja thermal to develop over Lake Silvaplana, offering the prospect of another full day of racing as the championship enters its most important stage.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
