Francesco Cappuzzo tightened his grip on the men’s Formula Wing World Championship in Istanbul with four more race victories, but fellow Italian Alessandro José Tomasi refused to let him escape, while Vaina Picot continued her domination of the women’s competition. With the men now divided into Gold and Silver fleets, the championship has entered its decisive phase, with only the top nine in Gold guaranteed a place in Saturday’s Medal Series.
Cappuzzo leads Italian charge
The 66-man fleet was split into three groups for a further five races on Wednesday, with the top 20 overall earning the right to compete in Gold Fleet over the next two days. Cappuzzo, already in commanding form on the opening day, won four of his five races to maintain top spot.
Yet Tomasi is proving a persistent threat. The Italian, who has shown a particular liking for the testing conditions on the Bosphorus, added three race victories of his own and remains within striking distance of his compatriot.
Behind them comes a group of French riders headed by defending champion Mathis Ghio, the rider from the Côte d’Azur will need to find another gear if he is to prevent the Italian challenge from becoming a procession.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
Picot stays in control
In the women’s fleet Picot once again looked imperious, although her run of winning every race was finally broken when she dropped a bullet when Maddalena Spanu claimed victory.
The Sardinian remains second overall but is already seven points behind Picot. China’s 16-year-old Yana Li, the Youth World Champion, continues to impress in fourth place as she gains experience against the established names of the sport.
98 athletes come together
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Hugo (HKG) flies the flag
The championship is not solely about the riders at the sharp end. One of the defining characteristics of the Wingfoil Racing circuit is its collaborative atmosphere, with less experienced competitors regularly seeking advice from the leading athletes.
That spirit was evident among Hong Kong’s six-man team. Sixteen-year-old Alvin Lo is in Istanbul as much to learn as to compete.
“It’s a big learning curve,” Lo said during a break between races. “Back home we can get shifty breeze but here it’s something else. I’m getting plenty of advice though from the other guys who have more experience of these conditions.”
His team-mate Tsz Hei Chow, known around the fleet as Hugo, had hoped to improve on his 24th place at last year’s inaugural World Championship. He fell agonisingly short of his target of Gold Fleet, missing the cut in 21st place - just three points from qualification.
Germany, which has a substantial recreational Wingfoil community, has two men and one woman competing. Yannick Holste will be in silver fleet tomorrow and admitted conditions didn’t favour him, “It’s pretty shifty and gusty here so it’s tough.”
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk - Lara Tallarico (ITA) is all smiles
13-year-old Italian Lara Tallarico appears considerably less troubled by the conditions. The Youth World silver medallist enjoyed the sprint racing after finding the opening day’s long-distance races less to her liking.
“I loved doing the sprint races today. They’re so much fun,” she said. “The breeze is difficult but you just have to give it your all from the start.” Her performances suggest that the teenager may have rather more to offer before the championship reaches its climax.
Welcome ceremony
Away from the water, competitors gathered on a rooftop under an Istanbul sunset for a welcome ceremony hosted by Fenerbahce Dogus sailing club. With almost 100 athletes from 18 countries and five continents represented, Turkish hospitality was on full display as riders relaxed over a feast of local food.
The respite will be brief. With the men’s Gold Fleet now established, the pressure increases sharply on Thursday, when two more days of racing begin the fight for the nine coveted places in Saturday’s Medal Series.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
