Maddalena Spanu 2025 World Champion
At the final stage of the 2025 WingFoil Racing World Championship in Brazil, Maddalena Spanu secured her second World Champion title and also won the Jericoacoara event. Alessandro Tomasi took third place overall in the 2025 standings. Francesco Cappuzzo placed fourth, De Amicis eighth, and Nico Spanu ninth overall.
Ghio, Spanu and Manowiecki seal titles on Finals Day in Jeri –
Mathis Ghio and Maddalena Spanu have been crowned 2025 World Cup champions. This is the fourth consecutive title for the Frenchman, a dominant figure in the fleet since the competition’s inception. For the 19-year-old Italian, this is the culmination of an extraordinary year of successes that also saw her become Formula Wing European and World champions. Yesterday, she also won the women’s title.
The men’s title was won by Kamil Manowieski, who celebrated his second consecutive victory in the season-ending event in Brazil. The Pole can be proud of a dominant performance in challenging conditions.
The Drama of the Medal Series
The men’s repechage immediately produced its own drama. Frenchman Oscar Leclair started in the lead and qualified, but the real story came in the battle for second place. New Zealander Sean Herbert raced toward the finish line at over 30 knots, paired with Italian Alessandro Tomasi, before algae on his foil caused him to crash into the water.
Men’s Semifinal
The men’s semifinal featured three Italians and France’s Mathis Ghio, who arrived in Brazil with the 2025 season title already secured but still intent on overturning last year’s defeat. Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo won, although Ghio’s second-place finish was enough to secure his place in the final.
Manowiecki dominates once again
Attention then turned to Kamil Manowiecki, the Pole who had stood out all week. As the overall leader, he needed just one victory in the final to secure the title, and he did.
A fast and clean start in 18 knots of wind set the tone for the fleet chasing him. Frenchman Bastien Escofet, in excellent form throughout the race, seemed certain of the silver medal, but Manowiecki never let himself be intimidated. Maintaining his blistering pace, he secured the Brazilian title for the second consecutive year.
Behind him, the battle for bronze was a photo finish. Mathis Ghio narrowly edged out Cappuzzo, rounding out a superb season with another podium finish.
Ghio was understandably emotional about his position: “Closing the year with a podium is a fantastic conclusion to a fantastic year, and what a wonderful place to celebrate with my friends and supporters.”
Looking back on his victory, Manowiecki said: “I destroyed this event. I didn’t give anyone any space. I made up my mind that I wanted to win it in just one race, and I did it. I’m so happy! This is for all my supporters.”
Spanu completes a glorious triple crown
The women’s competition centered on Italian Maddalena Spanu, undefeated all season and already the holder of the World Cup title. The Brazilian title, however, had long eluded her.
In the early stages, Brazilian Paloma Guttierez advanced to the repechage with an impressive second-place finish. Germany’s Jette Koep then won the quarterfinals, beating France’s Oriane Ceris, who had previously won the repechage.
The semi-final saw Greece’s Aimilia Kosti, back to form after a difficult week caused by a wing injury, secure a place in the final alongside the consistent Koep.
Women’s final
In the title match, Spanu reaffirmed her dominance. A clear start allowed her to quickly take control, with Kosti chasing her and sixteen-year-old Vaina Picot continuing her extraordinary rise, moving into second place. Yet Spanu was never seriously pursued, crossing the finish line and finally taking gold in Brazil. The Sardinian was emotional afterward: “I’m so thrilled about this title. It’s incredible, I’m speechless. 2025 was like living a dream. I never thought I’d end a year of racing undefeated. Everything was incredibly perfect.”
Jeri once again delivered a vibrant and unmistakably Brazilian backdrop to the climax of the season, its sun-soaked shores and strong winds setting the stage for a spectacular finale. The Wingfoil racing fleet closed the year in style, bringing the curtain down on an unforgettable season.
