Ernesto secures 4th overall in European Formula Wingfoil Championships

Italy’s Ernesto De Amicis, winner of the under-19 group, had moments of brilliance leading the fleet earlier in the week and finished fourth overall, making a powerful statement for the youth contingent in the championship. Heart-stopping, blast-reaching finishes were the day’s defining moments in the Grand Finals of the 2025 Formula Wing European Championships. 

Wednesday - Long distance

After 19 minutes of pedal-to-the-metal action in race one, a crash at the final turning mark by Kamil Manowiecki of Poland handed the lead to Ernesto De Amicis. The Italian, who’s also an under-19-year-old rider, never looked back and with a loud cheer from his father, crossed the finish line winning his first ever long-distance race. 

“In reality I don’t know what happened, but I just won the long-distance race. I can’t believe it,” said De Amicis. “I moved into second, then decided to chill, relax, recharge the battery to pump in the downwind. Kamil crashed, I don’t know why, but this is a very good sensation.” 

De Amicis was hot in the second race, and a top-five finish gave him a clean lead overall ahead of Manowiecki, while Frenchman Mateo Dussarps sailed consistently to end the day in third. 

Friday - Qualifier 

After a day of no racing, the locals made the wind claim early and they were right on the money. Racing started at 2 pm after a one-hour delay, in a 14-knot offshore southerly that was in the sweet spot for wing foil racing. Under 19 rider Ernesto De Amicis of Italy, was leading the championship heading into the day and maintained a clean scoreline sitting in third overall. The top nine in each fleet secured a spot in Saturday’s medal series. 

Saurday - Semi-final view here

In choppy, gusty conditions, Ernesto started on top – with everyone pinned, he controlled the race. The blood was pumping; the legs were pumping. Ernesto maintained lead position after the first tack, then Francesco passed him on the first mark. Ernesto gybed early – getting away to sail his own race. Right on his hip by the second mark – the young Italian flew in to finish in second behind Francesco. 

Results Semi final
1 Francesco Cappuzzo - ITA
2 Ernesto De Amicis [U19] - ITA
3 Oscar Leclair - FRA
4 Bastien Escofet - FRA

Final view here:  

A week punctuated by finicky winds and critical lead changes ended in 20-plus knot, oscillating offshore winds with a hardened group of 10 medal series finalists in both the women’s and men’s fleet, all hungry to make it to the podium. The men’s grand final was one for the ages. Kamil Manowiecki (Poland) blazed inches ahead of Mathis Ghio with an ultra-tight port tack start. After the start, Ernesto took the lead out of the next three, tacking away early. The Pole held the lead around most of the course, until on the last layline to the final mark, Mathis hammered over the top of Francesco Capuzzo, pouncing for the win and title. 

RESULTS MEN 
1. Mathis Ghio - FRA
2. Kamil Manowiecki - POL
3. Francesco Cappuzzo - ITA
4. Ernesto De Amicis [U19] - ITA
5. Oscar Leclair - FRA
6. Bastien Escofet - FRA
7. Julien Rattotti - FRA
8. Mateo Dussarps - FRA
9. Nicolo Spanu - ITA
10. Romain Ghio - FRA 


RESULTS WOMEN 
1. Maddalena Maria Spanu - ITA
2. Emilia Kosti - GRE
3. Karolina Kluszczynska - POL
4. Iset Segura Santaeularia - ESP
5. Katarzyna Trautman - POL
6. Marta Monge - ITA
7. Yana Li [U19][U17] - CHN
8. Charlotte Baruzzi - ITA
9. Dilara Uralp Palombo - TUR
10. Wai Yan Ngai - HKG