The Formula Wing European Championship drew to a close today in Naples with the absence of wind making it impossible to hold the scheduled Medal Series. The classification remains as it stood heading into the final day, and sees Maddalena Spanu, an athlete from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Young Azzurra programme, claim the title of Formula Wing European Vice-Champion. The European Championship title goes to Vaina Picot of France, with fellow Frenchwoman Kylie Belloeuvre completing the podium in third.

“It’s been a really challenging week, both in terms of performance and mentally. Competing in the very light conditions was particularly demanding, and maintaining focus to make the most of every metre on the water was crucial. Obviously, my goal was to get out on the water today and defend the title I won last year, but the conditions weren’t right for racing, and that’s part of the game. I know I did everything I could and this second place is an excellent result.” commented Maddalena Spanu at the conclusion of the event.

The Formula Wing European Championship, held from 8 April to 12 April, was characterised by extremely light conditions throughout, with the thermal breeze ranging from 6.5 knots to a maximum of 10–12 knots over the five-day competition. A total of 12 races were completed.

The opening day saw participants take on four long-distance races, with a rabbit start providing spectacular scenes as around 100 colourful riders from the men’s and women’s fleets took to the waters off Naples’ Castel dell’Ovo. On day two, the first session saw three short-distance races completed, while in the only race held later in the afternoon for the women’s fleet, with the breeze barely holding at its lower limit, only four of the 21 competitors managed to cross the finish line. Three further races were held on day three, whilst yesterday only one race could be completed before the wind dropped to 5 knots, making it impossible to continue with the programme of racing.

Despite these testing conditions, Maddalena held firm in second place, a position that secured her direct qualification for the final alongside leader Vaina Picot. Today's forecast looked unpromising from the first briefing at 12.30 p.m., but organisers held out until 4 p.m. before officially cancelling the scheduled races. The overall standings remained unchanged, with Vaina Picot in first place, Maddalena Spanu in second, and Kylie Belloeuvre in third.

The YCCS congratulates Maddalena on an excellent result.

The next sporting event on the Young Azzurra athlete’s calendar will be the Defi Wing, one of the biggets events in the world of windsurfing, taking place in Gruissan, France, from 11 to 13 May.