GWA WINGFOIL WORLD CUP TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND
Tauranga, New Zealand
4th–11th March
The opening round of the GWA Wingfoil World Cup played out in the dramatic shadow of New Zealand’s ancient Mount Maunganui. But the Men’s Surf-Freestyle final was a showdown between two of the tour’s youngest riders. Current world champion Malo Guénolé, 17, was up against Christopher MacDonald. Both went toe-to-toe, MacDonald opening with a 7.43 point Back-flip. Guénolé responded with an outstanding 8.63 point Frontside 7. But MacDonald continued building scores, nailing a Frontside 7 and Front-flip. It was enough to give 16-year-old MacDonald the win by less than one point.
The Women’s Surf-Freestyle final was a similarly tight affair –
