Opening the Tahitian Foil Festival with the first official downwind run of the event, the SFT Downwind Foil World Cup in Tahiti delivered everything the sport represents at its best — endurance, strategy, community, ocean knowledge, and pure connection with nature.
Race Day
Race day began early at the park as riders gathered for registration, the official race briefing, and a special pre-race blessing led by the local water safety team. Hosted in partnership with the Tahitian Foil Club and Armstrong Foils, the atmosphere was calm but focused as athletes prepared for one of the most unique and demanding downwind races on the SFT calendar. Boards were checked, foil setups debated, and competitors mentally locked in before heading toward the open-ocean crossing from Tahiti to Moorea.
From there, the fleet made its way to the launch zone where riders completed their final foil rigging before paddling offshore toward the start. A line was set between the start boat and the lead jet ski as competitors waited for the signal under warm Tahitian sunshine and steady trade winds.
The opening kilometers immediately tested the field. Riders were forced to make difficult equipment choices — selecting foils capable of handling the technical first section of the race, while also trying to optimize for the long gliding middle section that would ultimately define the crossing. Once the race began, the fleet spread apart incredibly quickly across the open ocean, making tracking and positioning extremely challenging.
What followed was exactly why Tahiti has become one of the dream destinations for downwind foiling.
Midway through the course, the ocean transformed into endless moving energy. Long glides connected effortlessly across the bumps, with some riders flying for incredible stretches without taking a single paddle stroke or pump. From the boats and skis following the race, it looked surreal — athletes reading the ocean in real time while linking glide after glide across deep blue water.
The finish line inside the reef provided one final challenge.
After kilometers of open-ocean gliding, riders suddenly had to dig deep physically to make the final push to shore. Tight pump battles unfolded all the way to the line as exhausted competitors fought for every final meter. Some riders simply ran out of legs completely, dropping to their knees and paddle-finishing the final section after giving everything they had over the crossing.
In both the men’s and women’s divisions, the racing showcased just how fast and technically advanced downwind foiling has become. But beyond the podiums and results, one of the biggest highlights of the day came from the youth fleet. Two thirteen-year-old riders successfully completed the crossing — an incredible achievement that speaks volumes about where the sport is heading. Seeing young athletes capable of handling these conditions, distances, and ocean skills at such an early age shows the progression of foiling worldwide and why the future of the sport is brighter than ever.
Results
The results highlighted the incredible level of talent across the field, however it was the battle of the Tahitians and the Aussies, with Tahitian riders putting on an impressive display in front of their home community, while international competitors battled through one of the most scenic and physically demanding downwind crossings imaginable.
Men’s Top 4
- Raiarii Fadier (PYF) — 1:13:20
- Kai Thompson (AUS) — 1:13:28
- Haunui Hauman (PYF) — 1:15:15
- Jarrod Snow (AUS) — 1:15:26
Women’s Top 4
- Naumi Eychenne (PYF) — 1:38:10
- Caitlin Baxter (AUS) — 2:22:20
The Celebration
After crossing the line, the atmosphere shifted from competition to celebration. Following a short recovery, the athletes paddled back outside the reef and linked another downwind run toward the final reef opening, where skis and boats guided the competitors into Coco Beach. Waiting on shore were burgers, cold drinks, lemonade, and a well-earned moment to relax together after an unforgettable day on the water. Stingrays cruised through the shallow water around the riders’ legs as equipment was loaded back onto the boats before the fleet began the long ride home around Mo’orea.
The day closed with an unreal Tahitian sunset stretching across the Pacific Ocean — the perfect ending to a race that captured everything special about downwind foiling.
Sunshine. Wind. Ocean energy. Community.
This is what the SFT Downwind Foil World Cup is all about.
Full results can be found here.
👉 Continue to follow along on our Instagram page for all the updates and round 2 of the Downwind Foil comp.
Images by @Georgiasphotos are here, be sure to tag @tahitianfoilclub, @armstrongfoils @surffoilworldtour
