The GWA Wingfoil World Tour wrapped up its season in style, crowning two new world champions in the Wave discipline after an action-packed final stop at the iconic left-hand break of Ibiraquera, southern Brazil.
Cash Berzolla from Maui emerged as the breakout star of the season, having claimed victory in Morocco earlier this month. Despite a surprising quarter-final exit in Ibiraquera, his impressive performances throughout the tour secured him the overall title before the event concluded.
“I feel amazing,” Berzolla shared. “This event didn’t go quite the way I hoped, but looking at the bigger picture, I couldn’t be happier. It’s a left-hand wave with port tack winds, which is a bit different for me and probably where I got caught in the quarters.”
Spain’s Elena Moreno sealed her world championship in Brazil, having dominated the previous stops with two standout victories. With the smaller women’s field, she had already accumulated enough points before even hitting the water in Ibiraquera.
“I’m beyond happy to win the world title here,” said Moreno. “Brazil is an incredible place, and right now, I’m just overwhelmed. I need a moment to take it all in. This win is for my brother and my family. I’m so grateful and excited.”
Day 3 of the Copa Kitley GWA Wingfoil World Cup Ibiraquera kicked off early to take advantage of the forecasted wind.
Fifteen-year-old Anderson Gallagher (USA) impressed in his debut, eliminating 14-year-old Leon Schiel (GBR), who had recently secured third place in Morocco. Gallagher’s strong run continued to the semi-finals, where he faced France’s Axel Gerard. However, the heat was cut short due to a medical emergency involving another athlete.
Gerard, 16, had an outstanding competition, notably defeating Cash Berzolla—who had seemed unstoppable—during the quarter-finals.
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Went for Broke
France’s Malo Guénolé, ranked second, avenged his third-round defeat in Dakhla, Morocco, to Liam Coralle. Determined to dominate, Guénolé sealed the heat with two impressive waves scoring over seven points each from a possible ten.
“Dakhla was definitely a tough loss for me,” Guénolé admitted before his opening heat. “I felt out of rhythm back then, but I’ve analyzed my mistakes, and now I feel comfortable. I think I’m riding well, and I’m excited to get back on the water.”
In the quarter-finals, Guénolé went all-in against Maui-based Finn Spencer (CAN), posting two of the highest scores of the event to that point, ending Spencer’s run.
Guénolé was even more commanding in the semi-final against Brazil’s Vinnicius Martins, scoring an 8.83—the highest wave score of the competition. While Guénolé advanced, Martins’ second consecutive semi-final marked a significant improvement in his wave-riding skills. The men’s title race now hangs in the balance.
In the women’s division, the small five-rider field shapes up as a showdown between Spain’s Elena Moreno and the Netherlands’ Bowien van der Linden. Stay tuned to see if the Dutch challenger can dethrone the new world champion.