French Dominance and Kiwi Promise at the 2026 Formula Wing European Championships

The 2026 Formula Wing European Championships in Naples, Italy, concluded with a commanding performance by France, which swept both the men’s and women’s titles. While the French fleet dominated the podiums, New Zealand’s wingfoiling talent made a significant impact, proving their ability to compete at the highest international level in a fiercely contested regatta.

French Sweep in Naples

France established complete control over the event, securing four medals overall and claiming the top spot in both primary categories. In the men’s fleet, Julien Rattotti proved untouchable, leading the regatta from start to finish to claim the European title.

The women’s division saw a historic performance from Vaina Picot. Picot became the youngest European champion in the sport’s history after winning nine of the 12 races. Adding to the local excitement, Italy’s Maddalena Spanu secured the vice-champion title, finishing as the runner-up in the women’s fleet.

New Zealand’s Strong International Statement

Despite the French dominance, New Zealand’s competitors delivered highly encouraging results. Sean Herbert finished fifth narrowly missing a podium spot by just nine points. Herbert’s consistency was a highlight of the event; he recorded five top-three finishes throughout the week, including two race wins during the qualifying stages.

Compatriot Kosta Gladiadis also showed strong form, finishing 11th overall. Gladiadis was particularly competitive in the youth category, placing third in the under-19 division. His best individual result came during qualifying, where he secured a fourth-place finish, eventually falling just one point short of a top-10 overall result.

Wind Conditions Disrupt Final Day

The championships, held from April 7 to 12, faced a challenging conclusion. Racing on the final day was abandoned due to unstable wind conditions on the Bay of Naples. As the final races could not be completed, the standings from previous heats stood as the final results. This proved frustrating for athletes like Sean Herbert, who had the pace to potentially challenge for a medal had the final day’s racing proceeded.

Key Takeaways from the 2026 Championships

• French Supremacy: France won both the men’s and women’s European titles and earned four medals in total.
• Historic Win: Vaina Picot became the youngest woman to win the European championship.
• Kiwi Progress: Sean Herbert (5th) and Kosta Gladiadis (11th) established New Zealand as a growing force in international wingfoiling.
• Environmental Impact: Unstable wind conditions forced the abandonment of the final day of racing.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 Formula Wing European Championships highlighted the current gap between the dominant French fleet and the rest of the world. However, the consistent performances from New Zealand’s top riders suggest a narrowing margin. As the sport continues to evolve, the pace shown by Herbert and Gladiadis in Naples provides a promising foundation for future international competitions.