World Cup makes history with season opener in Hong Kong
A day of firsts marked the launch of the 2026 Wingfoil Racing World Cup season as Hong Kong, China hosted a World Cup series event for the very first time.
Fifty-three of the world’s leading athletes took to the waters off Stanley Main Beach on the south-east coast of Hong Kong Island, delivering an action-packed opening day in lively breeze.
Global field and strong regional presence
The men’s fleet features 41 riders from 10 countries, while 13 women from seven nations contest the women’s title. East Asia is strongly represented across both fleets, with three athletes from Singapore, three from Japan, one from Chinese Taipei and no fewer than 21 local riders flying the flag for Hong Kong, China.
With a €10,000 prize pot on offer and valuable early World Cup ranking points at stake, the importance of a fast start was clear. Every event contributes to the overall standings, and after the off-season pause, momentum is already a key theme.
Conditions on day one saw a brisk breeze of around 13 knots outside the bay, forecast to fade later in the afternoon. As a result, racing began early at 10am, with four long-distance races completed over a 3-nautical-mile course for the men and 2.4 nautical miles for the women.
Local interest is high, with Hong Kong riders Hugo Chow Tsz Hei and Rafeek Kikabhoy both targeting strong results on home waters. Chow is the reigning Asian Champion and has already recorded a top-eight finish at World Cup level, while Kikabhoy is a two-time Asian Champion from 2023 and 2024.
Women’s fleet ignited by young talent
The women’s competition was electrified by a dominant performance from 16-year-old French rider Vaïna Picot, who won three of the four races despite still recovering from a bad bout of shingles. The Guadeloupe native admitted to feeling exhausted but showed the confidence that built steadily through 2025, culminating in a silver medal at the season-ending event in Jericoacoara, Brazil. Her early form suggests she could be a genuine threat to the reigning champion.
Defending World Cup holder Maddalena Spanu remains the clear favourite for a third title, despite managing an ongoing thyroid issue. The 19-year-old Sardinian looked fit as she launched into the new season and secured three top-three finishes on day one, including a race win. Managing her energy levels over the course of the event will be key.
It was also a great day for Chinese riders Liu Yi Xiao and Yana Li who both pushed hard and ended the day in the top 5 overall.
After racing Hong Kong gave riders and their support teams a warm welcome with a very traditional Opening Ceremony.
