The 2026 Formula Wing European Championships in Naples concluded with France securing both the men’s and women’s European titles along with a total of four medals. The final day of the hydrofoil racing regatta saw light, inconsistent winds that ultimately forced race officials to cancel the remaining schedule, locking in the existing leaderboard. The wing foil event, held against the backdrop of Mount Vesuvius and the island of Ischia, celebrated the achievements of young rising stars and experienced champions alike, marking a successful showcase for the sport in Italy.
Event Highlights & Results
- Dominant Nations: France led the medal tally with four medals and both gold titles, while host nation Italy earned two silver medals.
- Women’s Champion: 16-year-old Vaina Picot (France) became the youngest Formula Wing European champion, winning nine of the 12 total races.
- Men’s Champion: French rider Julien Rattotti claimed the title, building on a season of focused preparation and his existing Wave world title.
- Italian Success: Italian riders Maddalena Spanu (defending champion) and 17-year-old Ernesto de Amicis secured silver medals in the women’s and men’s fleets, respectively.
- Final Day Weather: A lack of the expected Neapolitan thermal breeze led to the abandonment of the final races and the scheduled Medal Series, causing the leaderboard to stand as it was after previous rounds.
- Looking Ahead: The international wingfoiling circuit will continue, with the next major Italian event, the Wingfoil Racing World Cup, scheduled for early July in Gizzeria, Calabria.
The 2026 Formula Wing European Championships concluded with significant drama despite the final day’s lack of racing. While Franceâs victory was clear, the eventâs final hours highlighted the intense pressure placed on athletes by unpredictable weather, which prevented the high-stakes “Golden Ticket” and Medal Series races from taking place. This forced a premature end to the regatta, locking in rankings that were established over the preceding days of challenging, light-wind competition.
Additional Highlights
- Impact of Weather on Strategy: The final day’s north-easterly breeze failed to develop into the expected Neapolitan thermal winds. This calm period essentially ended the competitive hopes of several mid-fleet riders, such as Italyâs Francesco Cappuzzo and Charlotte Baruzzi, who were sitting in 10th place and missed their chance to potentially climb into the medal series.
- Leaderboard Relief: For Julien Rattotti, the final day’s abandonment was a stroke of fortune. After struggling on the penultimate dayâwhich included a disqualification and a fallâhis lead had become precarious. The lack of racing on Sunday effectively “froze” his lead, preserving his gold medal position.
- Athletic Depth & Challenges: The event was characterized by highly technical, light-wind conditions that required constant tactical adjustments. Riders like Greeceâs Aimilia Kosti noted the extreme difficulty of basic maneuversâsuch as tacking and gybingâin such unstable air, which made reading wind shifts nearly impossible.
- Defending Champions’ Struggles: It was a tough outing for the defending titleholders. 2025 champion Mathis Ghio finished 13th overall, struggling to diagnose his performance issues throughout the week. Meanwhile, womenâs defending champion Maddalena Spanu, despite a challenging start to the regatta, showed significant grit to climb back and secure the silver medal for Italy.
- Venue Significance: Hosted by the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, the event served as a major showcase for Naples, with the local crowd rallying behind 17-year-old silver medalist Ernesto de Amicis, who is a recognized sports ambassador for the city.
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