The fifth and final day of the Ensis ENGADINWING 2024 Formula Wing Europeans at Lake Silvaplana concluded with Mathis Ghio (FRA) and Maddalena Spanu (ITA) being crowned the new Formula Wing European Champions. Despite challenging weather conditions and the cancellation of a much-anticipated race, the day provided thrilling races and intense battles.
Highlights of Day 5
- Mathis Ghio and Maddalena Spanu Crowned European Champions: Both secured their titles with impressive performances in the final races.
- Golden Ticket Race Cancelled: Due to late winds, the highly anticipated Golden Ticket long-distance race could not take place. Julia Repschlager (GER) and Jeremiah McDonald (NZL) retained their 10th place positions and advanced to the medal series.
- Exciting Medal Series: The wind eventually filled in, allowing for a thrilling medal series to be completed.
Recap of the Day’s Events
The final day at Lake Silvaplana was marked by low clouds and a touch of drizzle, creating a dramatic atmosphere. With the wind only picking up at 14:00, there was no time for the Golden Ticket long-distance race, allowing Repschlager and McDonald to keep their 10th place spots and progress into the semi-finals. As light wind conditions filled in, the medal series races began, where staying in the pressure zones and avoiding mistakes was crucial.
- Women’s Races: Maddalena Spanu entered the finals with two wins from previous races. Despite the cold and long waiting times, she remained focused and won the decisive race to secure the European title. “The conditions were very tough, with some really light winds,” said Spanu. “I saw slightly more wind on the left side of the course and thought it might be a good strategy.”
- Men’s Races: In the men’s semi-finals, Bastien Escofet and Alessandro Tomasi dominated their respective heats, advancing to the four-rider finals. Mathis Ghio capitalized on a strong gust on the downwind leg to overtake Tomasi and win the decisive race. “It was really challenging,” Ghio reflected. “You can really feel the altitude here, it’s very exhausting.”
The spectators along the shores of Lake Silvaplana experienced the high-speed battles up close, adding to the excitement. With an extra burst of speed, Ghio clinched the title and summed up the race: “That was a BIG final.”
Final Results
Men
- Mathis Ghio (FRA) – GOLD
- Oscar Leclair (FRA) – SILVER
- Alessandro Jose Tomasi (ITA) – BRONZE
Women
- Maddalena Spanu (ITA) – GOLD
- Marta Monge (ITA) – SILVER
- Hayley Chan (HKG) – BRONZE
After an intense five days of competition, the participants have been tested in every aspect, getting faster with each race. With two months until the next World Cup stop in China, the competition remains fierce as the battles continue!
For more information and the latest updates, visit the Ensis ENGADINWING website.
Here are some more impressions from the final day of the Ensis ENGADINWING 2024 Formula Wing Europeans: