Nia Suardiaz and Francesco Cappuzzo claim FreeFly-Slalom World Cup victories in Gran Canaria
by Gabinete de prensa 24 Jul 06:03 NZST
21-25 July 2026
Cappuzzo prevails in a high-pressure final © Sailing Energy
Spain's Nía Suardíaz and Italy's Francesco Cappuzzo have been crowned winners of the FreeFly-Slalom World Cup at the Gran Canaria GWA Wingfoil World Cup 2026, staged at El Burrero Beach in Ingenio.
The event brought together around 30 international riders and launched the discipline's world season in Gran Canaria waters, where speed and tactics came to the fore at more than 40 knots.
Across two days, the trade winds and sea state demanded absolute precision from the competitors. Beyond the start area, sheltered by the breakwater, the fleet faced powerful wind and open-ocean conditions, forcing riders onto their smallest wings and rewarding consistency through the turns, buoy roundings, pumping sections and free-flight glides.
In the women's division, Nía Suardíaz lived up to her billing as favourite from the opening eliminations. The reigning world champion won five of the six heats contested on day one and entered the decisive phase at the top of the standings. In the final, she once again combined pace and control to secure victory in Gran Canaria.
Reflecting on her victory, Nía Suardíaz said: "I'm absolutely delighted. We've had two really good days of FreeFly-Slalom; on the opening day I won nearly all the eliminations and today I also managed to win the final. I'm very grateful to be here and I'd like to thank my sponsors and everyone who makes this event possible."
France's Kylie Belloeuvre took second place, with compatriot Enoha Laurent completing the podium. Mar de Arce, the Tarifa rider based in the Canary Islands who represents Club Deportivo Canakite Experiences, earned an impressive fourth place after progressing to the final.
Cappuzzo prevails in a high-pressure final
The men's division kept the suspense alive until the very last race. Francesco Cappuzzo, the leader after the eliminations, took the opening win of the final. France's Bastien Escofet hit back in the next heat to force another race, but the Italian regained control in the decider and secured the two victories required to win the event.
Cappuzzo highlighted the intensity of the competition: "It's been an incredible two days. After six qualifying eliminations, I faced a very tough route through to the final, where there were several crashes and it took three races to decide the winner. To be back on top after the difficult end to last season feels incredible. I'm very happy and already looking forward to competing in Fuerteventura next week."
Escofet, the reigning world champion, finished runner-up. France's Tom Pansard was third, while Italy's Sebastiano Zorzi completed the final in fourth. Among the Canary Islands contingent, Gran Canaria's Ángel Granda placed ninth and fellow Gran Canaria rider Jeremy Rodríguez finished 11th.
The result repeats the winning double achieved by Suardíaz and Cappuzzo at the 2025 Fuerteventura World Cup, also in FreeFly-Slalom. The pair therefore share the top step once again at a world-tour event staged in the Canary Islands.
Suardíaz and Cappuzzo lead the world standings
Following the Gran Canaria results, Nía Suardíaz leads the women's FreeFly-Slalom overall standings with 1,000 points, followed by Kylie Belloeuvre on 970, Enoha Laurent on 940 and Mar de Arce on 910. Elena Moreno lies 11th with 710 points.
In the men's standings, Francesco Cappuzzo leads with 1,000 points. Bastien Escofet is second on 970, Tom Pansard third on 940 and Sebastiano Zorzi fourth on 910. Among the Canary Islands riders, Ángel Granda is ninth with 760 points and Jeremy Rodríguez 11th with 710.
World title fight remains wide open
Victory in Gran Canaria gives Suardíaz and Cappuzzo the early advantage, but the world titles are far from decided. The Fuerteventura World Cup, scheduled for 27 July to 1 August at Sotavento, will be the second of three FreeFly-Slalom events on the 2026 calendar and will take the championship to its halfway point. With limited opportunities to score and no discards, the Fuerteventura stop will be pivotal as the contenders seek either to consolidate their advantage or close the gap before the season finale in Brazil, scheduled for November.
Surf-Freestyle takes centre stage next at El Burrero
The Gran Canaria GWA Wingfoil World Cup continues from 23 to 25 July with the Surf-Freestyle World Cup. The world's leading specialists will go head-to-head in a discipline that combines aerial manoeuvres, technical difficulty, execution and the ability to make the most of the sea conditions. Spectators can follow the action from El Burrero Beach.
The event brings more than 120 athletes from 13 countries to the island over the course of the week, further establishing Gran Canaria as one of the world's leading venues for wind sports. The competition programme also features environmental activities, training initiatives and events open to the public.
The Gran Canaria GWA Wingfoil World Cup 2026 is organised by Club Deportivo Canakite Experiences, Club Náutico El Burrero and Ingenio Town Council, in collaboration with the Royal Canary Islands Sailing Federation and Spar, and with the support of the Tourism and Sports departments of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Promotur Islas Canarias and the Sports Department of the Canary Islands Government.