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Francesco Cappuzzo kicks off 2025 with a big win in Leucate!

di - 30/04/2025

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Known for its electrifying atmosphere and challenging conditions, this iconic event saw our GONG Team riders Francesco Cappuzzo and Bastien Escofet lead the FreeFly-Slalom discipline on full production gear until the final day, making an impressive start to the 2025 GWA Wingfoil World Tour.

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Mondial du Vent

The legendary Mondial du Vent returned to the shores of La Franqui, Leucate, hosting six thrilling days of action, excitement, and intense competition. Known for its electrifying atmosphere and challenging conditions, this iconic event saw our GONG Team riders Francesco Cappuzzo and Bastien Escofet lead the FreeFly-Slalom discipline on full production gear until the final day, making an impressive start to the 2025 GWA Wingfoil World Tour.

Wing foilers: Francesco and Bastien, GONG Team Riders, with the Racer FSP Pro and Droid SP Aramid CZ. Photo : GWA.

Under vibrant skies and powerful Tramontana winds gusting up to 40 knots, the event provided the perfect playground for showcasing elite wingfoiling skills. The festival atmosphere, enriched with skateboarding, BMX displays, and interactive events, enhanced the spirit and energy that the GONG Team thrived upon throughout the week.

FreeFly-Slalom action was fierce from day one, as 30 elite male competitors battled through seven challenging elimination rounds. Francesco Cappuzzo quickly established his dominance, winning four of the seven elimination heats and easily securing his place in the final round. Bastien Escofet showed consistent high performance, proving his tactical prowess by qualifying directly for the final with his impressive performances throughout the event.

Wing foiler: Francesco, GONG Team Rider, leading with the Racer FSP Pro, Droid SP Aramid CZ, and an Ypra Race foil setup. Photo : GWA.

On finals day, conditions were optimal with steady winds of 15 to 18 knots, setting the stage for a gripping showdown. Francesco Cappuzzo burst off the line in the grand final, leading decisively from the start and showcasing unmatched speed and technique. Meanwhile, Escofet fought hard and maintained second position until the pumping section, where Julien Rattotti edged ahead. Despite a relentless push from Escofet, he ultimately crossed the finish line in third, securing another podium spot for the GONG Team.

Francesco Cappuzzo, continuing his exceptional form from his 2024 World Champion season, secured a commanding victory, reaffirming his position at the top of the sport. Escofet’s third-place finish demonstrated the depth and competitive spirit of our team, setting a strong foundation for the remainder of the tour.

Final Results – Men’s FreeFly-Slalom:

  • 1° – Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA, Team GONG)
  • 2° – Julien Rattotti (FRA)
  • 3° – Bastien Escofet (FRA, Team GONG)
  • 4° – Alessandro Tomasi (ITA)

We look forward to carrying this momentum forward into the next stages of the 2025 GWA Wingfoil World Tour. Stay tuned as the GONG Team continues to push boundaries and deliver thrilling performances around the globe.

Diplomato in Arti Grafiche, Laureato in Architettura con specializzazione in Design al Politecnico di Milano, un Master in Digital Marketing. Giornalista dal 2005 è direttore di 4Actionmedia dal 2015. Grande appassionato di sport e attività Outdoor, ha all'attivo alcune discese di sci ripido (50°) sul Monte Bianco e Monte Rosa, mezze maratone, alcune vie di alpinismo sulle alpi e surf in Indonesia.