IWSA WingFoil Racing - Champions under pressure as Formula Wing worlds begin in Istanbul

Vaina Picot won all four women's races as the 2026 Formula Wing World Championships got under way on the Bosphorus, while Italy's Francesco Cappuzzo took the men's overnight lead with two victories and a second place.

Defending champion Mathis Ghio won the opening men's race but suffered a spectacular crash in the second and ended the day third, with compatriot Alessandro Jose Tomasi just three points off the lead in second.

Almost 100 competitors from five continents are competing for the men's and women's world titles, with five days of racing in Istanbul culminating in Saturday's Medal Series.

Picot sets the pace

Picot produced the performance of the day, winning all four races in the women's fleet.

The French rider, who is only 16, arrived in Istanbul in impressive form after winning the Youth World Championship in Switzerland in June.

Her perfect opening day has immediately put defending champion Maddalena Spanu under pressure.

The Italian won the women's World title in Sardinia last year and is a specialist in stronger winds. She is hoping Istanbul's famous summer Poyraz northerly will provide the conditions needed to fight back.

"The unpredictable conditions here will make it difficult to defend my title," Spanu said before racing. "Sure, there's nearly always strong breeze but the direction and strength is always changing and then you have current to deal with too."

Cappuzzo leads Italian charge

Cappuzzo was the standout performer in the men's fleet, winning two of the day's races and finishing second in another to take the overnight lead.

He leads compatriot Tomasi by three points, with Tomasi showing his liking for the notoriously tricky conditions on the Bosphorus. Tomasi took three podium finishes, including a victory, to move into second overall.

The racing was made particularly difficult by gusty winds and a strong current at the upper end of the course, outside the shelter of the bay. Those conditions played into Tomasi's hands, with the Italian showing the consistency needed to stay near the front throughout the opening day.

Ghio survives dramatic start

Defending champion Ghio began his title defence in the best possible way, winning the opening race. The Frenchman, competing with a Chubanga foil and Tarifa board for the first time, then suffered a spectacular crash in the second race.

Despite the setback, Ghio recovered to finish the day third overall and remains within striking distance of the leaders.

The Frenchman won the inaugural Formula Wing world title last year and will now have to chase the Italian duo ahead of him as qualifying continues.

Another young challenger to the established names is Italy's 17-year-old Ernesto De Amicis, who won the Youth World Championship alongside Picot in Switzerland in June before taking silver at the senior European Championships.

Home challenge

Türkiye has the largest team at the championship, with nine men and seven women competing on home waters.

Hong Kong has brought six men, while China's three female entries include 2025 Youth World Champion Yana Li. France and Italy have the largest European teams, with 13 and 11 athletes respectively.

Hosted by Fenerbahce Sports Club, the championship continues with three more days of qualifying before Saturday's Medal Series.

The women compete in a single fleet, with the top nine progressing directly to the Medal Series. The men race through qualifying fleets before advancing to Gold Fleet competition, from which the top nine will earn places in the final stage.

Same equipment, same opportunity

Formula Wing is raced on registered series-production equipment approved and listed by World Sailing.

Each competitor is permitted a maximum of two wings, one board, one foil mast and two foil glider systems for the championship, placing the emphasis firmly on racing rather than equipment advantage.