November 22, 2022
2 minutes reading time
GWA Wingfoil World Cup: Artzner and Galea fire France to yet more world titles in the Surf-Slalom
After five action packed days in Taiba at the Copa Kitley GWA Wingfoil World Cup Brazil we finally arrived at the deciding heats of the 2022 Surf Slalom championship on Sunday.
Although the mathematical scenarios were complicated, if tour leader Titouan Galea could essentially stay ahead of his nearest rival, Francesco Cappuzzo, the title would be his.
In a huge shock to proceedings, Titouan lost his grip in the semi final of the third elimination.
Cappuzzo capitalised in the final that would have given Galea the title. The Italian crossed the line in third behind Alan Fedit and Mathis Ghio who look hot in first. That was solid points in the bag.
It all came down to the fourth and final elimination.
Men’s fourth elimination Surf-Slalom Final
Cappuzzo was closest to Galea, but to claim the title he needed to finish four positions higher than Galea in the final race.
Galea got an awful start as Ghio and Tomassi steamed off at the front with Cappuzzo giving chase.
Galea once again decided to take his first tack widest on the course, but it was Ghio, Tomassi and Bouyer who rounded the top buoy ahead, as Cappuzzo and Galea scrambled for position behind.
At the pump track Galea was still way down, but he’d been strong at this section all event.
He pumped wide and by the time he powered his wing up around the bottom mark he was into third with just three marks to go.
He could finally smell victory.
Ghio won another race (and the event win), Tomassi took second, Bouyer third and, crucially, Titouan crossed the line in fourth ahead of Cappuzzo and that was it!
Men’s 2022 Wingfoil Surf-Slalom World Championship podium:
- Titouan Galea (FRA)
- Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA)
- Camille Bouyer (FRA)
Women’s Surf-Slalom Summary
After six straight wins the previous day, Nia Suardiaz had been doing all she could to try to catch women’s tour leader, Flora Artzner, who only needed to finish in fourth or better at this event to claim her first title.
Artzner played it cool and stayed in and around the positions she needed to be in each of the eleven races completed by the women over two days of Surf-Slalom heats.
In the final race, the French rider made a great start, but was chased down by Suardiaz. At the end of the downwind section, Suardiaz was once again in front, but Artzner indeed crossed the line in fourth, giving her third position overall here in Brazil and first at the end of the season.
Nia Suardiaz dominantly won the event, but Flora Artzner is the 2022 GWA Wingfoil Surf-Slalom World Champion!
Women’s 2022 Wingfoil Surf-Slalom World Championship podium:
- Flora Artzner (FRA)
- Nia Suardiaz (ESP)
- Paula Novotna (CZE)
Text and images courtesy of GWA Wingfoil World Tour.