The historic city of Istanbul, where continents and cultures collide, delivered a dramatic opening to the Audi 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Türkiye on Wednesday. Against the stunning backdrop of the Bosphorus, 55 riders from 14 countries across four continents launched into competition in wild conditions, with wind speeds ranging from 25 knots and gusting up to 35.
Hosted by Fenerbahce Sports Club, best known globally for its football team but also a powerhouse in multi-sports, the five-day regatta promises high-speed action, tactical battles, and a showcase of emerging talent on the global wingfoil stage.
The first day featured four gruelling long-distance races, each around 10 kilometres, all starting with a breathless ‘rabbit start’ behind a speedboat - a true test of skill and nerve. With the relentless wind pushing both athletes and gear to their limits, riders scrambled between races to downsize wings. France’s Romain Ghio, for instance, began the day with a 6.5m wing but had to shift down to a 5m sail by the final race to stay in control.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajbuk: Rabbit start
Tomasi of Italy leads the Men’s fleet
In the men’s fleet, Italy’s Alessandro Tomasi set the pace winning three of four races. However, a navigational error cost him the opening win after he mistakenly gybed instead of tacking at mark four, leading to disqualification. “I’m feeling amazing with these strong winds. On my 5.5, I’m super-fast,” said Tomasi. “Unluckily, in the first race I forgot I had to tack instead of gybing but in the third race, I was sixth at the first mark and managed to fight back to first. We had to change some things to my set-up because conditions here are different from Garda where I train but I’m super happy how fast I am”
Despite the error, Tomasi tops the leaderboard, with Poland’s Kamil Manowiecki sitting second and breaking up what could have been an Italian clean sweep.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk: Alessandro Jose Tomasi [ITA]
Defending champion Mathis Ghio of France remains in the hunt but faced stiff competition on a day where strategy and adaptability proved as important as speed.
For Great Britain's Freddie Strawson, fresh from his first win at a World Cup at the previous event, Istanbul brought new expectations. “I suppose there are pressures because of how I did in Silvaplana,” he admitted before racing. “I’m more visible now so people will be more aware”
Meanwhile, New Zealander Sean Herbert, one of the rising stars of the sport, made his return to the series following a stunning debut last month. His presence adds yet another layer to an already stacked men’s competition.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk: Maddalena Spanu [ITA]
Spanu still dominates Women as Palombo impresses for Turkey
In the women’s division, Italy’s Maddalena Spanu, who’s won every World Cup event this season, continued her dominance with a clean sweep of victories. The reigning champion once again proved untouchable in the heavy breeze..
But the standout story came from home waters, where Turkey’s Dilara Palombo, a former Olympic windsurfer making her WingFoil Racing World Cup debut, posted impressive results despite being short on gear. “I only have two sails and no small one,” said Palombo. “I was on a 5.5 today, the same size as the boys so it has been difficult. But I’ve done my best and I’m really happy with how it went.” Palombo’s consistency, including two fifth-place finishes and a sixth, earned her fifth overall on day one, an exceptional result in elite company.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk: Dilara Palombo [TUR]
Turkey’s Rising Stars Shine
Beyond the big names, the event also showcased the depth of Turkey’s emerging talent. Of the 14 Turkish competitors, eight are under 18. Derin Tuzel, just 11 years old, became the youngest athlete ever to compete in the World Cup series and held his own admirably in the brutal conditions. In fact, plenty of strong mid-fleet finishes left their coaches and supporters impressed.
As the wind-whipped wings power across the waters of the Bosphorus, Istanbul is delivering exactly what the Wingfoil World Cup needs; intensity, unpredictability, and a stage worthy of champions.
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk: Derin Tuziel [TUR]
The rest of the week will see intense short-track showdowns. The action reaches its grand finale on Sunday 17 August, with the highly anticipated medal series, where champions will be crowned. Fans can follow every moment of the Audi 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Turkiye in real-time, as races are tracked live, with updates and insights shared across all official IWSA channels.
