Kamil is king in Sardinia and Mathis will take the overall 2024 crown

October 25, 2024 / Wing

The tussle at the top of the 2024 Wingfoil Racing World Championship is being played out between two Ozone Fusion riders. This year Mathis Ghio is shooting for his third world title in a row.

Going into the penultimate event of the season in Sardinia he needed to finish within five places of teammate Kamil Manowiecki, which would guarantee enough points to be able to discard whatever result he gets from the final round in Brazil in early December

Photos: Robert Hajduk / IWSA Media

Kamil took his first world cup event win in Sardinia and we’re stoked for him. Mathis coolly controlled his performance and took second behind his rapidly progressing Polish team mate. With the third title assured for the Frenchman, bring on Brazil!

Kamil and Mathis have chosen custom colour Ozone Fusions – Kamil in blue / white, and Mathis in red / black.

Scroll down to read their reactions after Sardinia, as they looking forward to Brazil, starting 3rd December:

KAMIL:

The racing was incredibly tight, with every top 10 finish separated by mere seconds, so any mistake was costly. Across 12 races, every point counted, and while I managed to take the win, it was by a slim margin.

Though I felt strong, I made a few errors. With light winds and unique scoring (0.33 points for first in the long-distance race, 0.66 for second, etc.), the podium came down to just a 4-point difference. I’m satisfied with my performance but know I can improve. I’m committed to training harder than anyone to keep winning.

Since it was primarily a light-wind event, some racers tested different wings, but I stuck to the Ozone Fusion—a 6.5. most days and the 7.3 on one. I never considered switching because I’m fully confident in it.

There were several critical moments. For instance, in the first race, I led the fleet but picked up a plastic bag at the first mark right after the rabbit start. I also narrowly avoided collisions; in fact, two riders did collide head-on, with a thunderous foil crash, but thankfully, everyone was safe!

Mathis and I are fierce rivals on the water but good friends onshore. We’re both focused on pushing each other to be our best through fair racing.
Kamil

I’ve never been to Jeri, but since the start of the Wingfoil Racing World Tour three years ago, I’ve dreamed of competing there. It looks like paradise in photos, and it’s thrilling to see this dream finally come true.

Now, my focus is on refining my technique for higher winds and mentally preparing for the intensity of the races. That’s why I’m heading there in early November, aiming to deliver my best performance—and hopefully, secure another win!

MATHIS:

Heading into this penultimate World Cup, my focus was entirely on securing the Wingfoil world title. To clinch it before Brazil, I needed a top 5 finish, so I played it safe to avoid any costly mistakes.

With extremely light conditions, the priority was simply staying on the foil and avoiding crashes since recovering was nearly impossible. This time, it was as much about strategy as it was about skill.

Now, I just need to confirm my registration for the final World Cup to officially claim my third consecutive world title. Having won the first three events and finishing second in the fourth, I have a solid lead. Even if I win in Brazil, it will be counted as my discard.

Still, I’d love to wrap up the season with a win in Brazil. It’s an incredible place to compete, with steady 20-25 knot winds in a tropical climate. But there are some unique challenges to be mindful of. Seaweed is abundant at this time of year, so technique—especially jumping—needs to be precise. It also means that consistency is key. Going all out can lead to crashes, as weeds can easily disrupt foil control.

Familiarity with the foil’s behaviour is essential to stay steady when seaweed inevitably catches on the front wing.

This season, the Fusion wing gave me a huge advantage on the course. Its top-end performance is outstanding, allowing me to stay confidently overpowered.
Mathis

In gusty conditions, the 100% double profile gave me a significant edge, gliding through lulls to catch gusts quickly, while competitors slowed down. This ability to keep momentum through turbulent winds was a game-changer in many races this year.

Get your Fusion – and why not choose custom colours too?