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New Zealand's Sean Herbert has added to his impressive medal collection after a dramatic final day at the inaugural Formula Wing World Championship in Cagliari, Sardinia - a contest that saw shifting winds and a thrilling finish to crown the sport's first-ever world champions.
Light conditions initially delayed racing, forcing organisers to cancel the long-distance Golden Ticket race and focus instead on the knock-out rounds. Riders struggled to keep their boards foiling in the faint breeze, with every splashdown threatening to end a campaign. Herbert, however, showcased his composure and tactical awareness, progressing confidently through the quarter- and semi-finals by reading the breeze better than his European rivals.
As the clock ticked towards the local 5pm cutoff, conditions shifted dramatically. The early light breeze vanished, replaced by a gusty mistral sweeping across the city. The men's and women's finals would be decided in these unpredictable winds.
Sean Herbert has added a bronze to his impressive medal collection after finishing third at the Formula Wing World Championships. Photos / IWSA Media, Robert Hajduk
In the women's event, 18-year-old Italian Maddalena Spanu surged through the final downwind leg to clinch victory, securing the first-ever women's world title ahead of France's Kylie Picot and Greece's Emilia Kosti.
The men's contest was even tighter. Herbert struck early with a crucial win in the first final race, capitalising on the lighter breeze. Italian Francesco Cappuzzo then levelled the field by taking the second race after the wind swung 180-degrees and strengthened from the north, leaving him tied on points with France's Mathis Ghio. That set the stage for a winner-takes-all showdown.
Any of Ghio, Cappuzzo or Herbert could claim the title in the decisive seven-minute race. All four finalists, including Italy's Alessandro Tomasi, traded the lead through tense legs. On the final run, Tomasi crossed the line first, but a penalty for hitting a mark handed the race - and the world title - to Ghio. Cappuzzo secured silver, while Herbert's consistent performance earned him a well-deserved bronze, marking a breakthrough result on the world stage.
The result continues Herbert's remarkable rise through the global wingfoiling ranks. In June, the 23-year-old Aucklander made his World Cup debut in Switzerland, clinching bronze behind Ghio and Poland's Kamil Manowiecki. Days later, he dominated the US wingfoil championships, winning 14 of 15 races in San Francisco.
Herbert finished third in a dramatic final race in light breeze in Cagliari. Photos / IWSA Media, Robert Hajduk
A former O'pen skiff world champion and triple Starling national titleholder, Herbert transitioned to foiling with immediate success, winning back-to-back New Zealand wingfoil titles and joining the America One Racing programme in the US.
"Switzerland was validation that I'm heading in the right direction," Herbert said at the time. "Standing on the podium was rewarding - but I want to win a World Cup and build towards the championship."
In Cagliari, Herbert took another decisive step towards that goal. - with IWSA Media
Full results here.
