The Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) is set to introduce an exciting new discipline to the world stage with the SFT Downwind Parawing World Cup in Leucate, France 2026. Held in partnership with the legendary Mondial du Vent, the event marks the first official World Cup dedicated exclusively to Downwind Parawing. It represents a major step forward for the rapidly evolving foiling discipline and expands SFT’s global platform for competitive watersports.
The competition will run alongside the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, making Leucate one of the world’s premier gathering points for elite foiling athletes during one of Europe’s most respected wind and watersports festivals.
A New Discipline Takes Flight
Following the success of the 2025 SFT E-Foil and Pump Foil competitions in Leucate, the tour returns to the Mediterranean coast with a discipline that showcases the next progression in hydrofoil performance. Downwind Parawing blends wind power with open-water foiling. Riders use a lightweight, packable wing to generate speed and lift before transitioning into long gliding sections where the wing can be stowed while they link ocean bumps and swells.
Tramontane Winds
Leucate’s famous Tramontane winds, combined with its open Mediterranean coastline, provide the ideal natural arena for this style of racing, allowing athletes to push the limits of downwind foiling. The result is a dynamic format that tests multiple aspects of athletic performance:
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Wind reading and tactical positioning
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Endurance and efficiency over distance
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Advanced foil control at speed
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Strategic line selection in open water
Prize Purse on the Line
Riders competing in the inaugural event will battle for an €8,000 prize purse, raising the stakes for what promises to be a historic first edition.
Elite International Lineup
With strong winds and a technical course expected, the competition is set to showcase the very best athletes emerging from the global foiling scene. The men’s field features an impressive international lineup led by Thomas Goyard (FRA), an Olympic-level wind athlete known for his race tactics and high-wind performance. Joining him is innovative Swiss foiler Balz Müller (SUI), widely recognized for pushing the limits of modern foiling.
France’s Bastien Escofet and Alan Fedit add strong local depth, while Ziga Horvat (SLO), Benjamin May (GER), Michael Näf (SUI), and Luca Vuillermet (USA) highlight the international scope of the competition.
Women’s Division Showcases Rising Talent
The women’s division is headlined by Nia Suardiaz (ESP), widely regarded as one of the most dominant young athletes across multiple foiling disciplines. She will be joined by Viola Lippitsch (AUT) and Sofia Marchetti (ITA), alongside a strong French lineup including Kylie Belloeuvre, Orane Ceris, Manon Dupe, Mae Haas, and Helene Simonnet.
More Than a Competition
The event takes place during the week-long Mondial du Vent festival, which attracts thousands of spectators and families each year. Beyond the racing, visitors can experience:
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Live music and beach entertainment
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Equipment demos and industry exhibitions
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Youth programs and public activities
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Brand activations and watersports showcases
The festival atmosphere creates a unique environment where world-class sport meets coastal culture, making Leucate one of the most exciting stops on the international watersports calendar.
A New Chapter for Foiling
By launching the Downwind Parawing World Cup at Mondial du Vent and staging the event alongside the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, the SFT Surf Foil World Tour continues to expand the global competitive landscape for foiling sports.
As the sport evolves and new disciplines emerge, SFT remains focused on building the international platform where the next generation of foiling athletes will compete and where future champions will rise above the water.
For event updates, schedules, and athlete information follow along:
www.surffoilworldtour.com