The Windsurfer Class European Championship 2025 came to a close on Sunday, 14 September at the Centro Velico Punta Ala. This edition saw over 180 competitors from 16 countries battling it out over five days of racing.
The Gulf of Follonica lit up with the iconic sails of the Windsurfer Class, turning every launch from the private beach of PuntAla Camp & Resort into a scenic spectacle.
The event kicked off on Tuesday, 9 September in challenging conditions, with a thunderstorm making the racecourse unworkable on day one. In the following days, light and shifty winds tested the Race Committee and the sailors alike, who nevertheless showed resilience and true sportsmanship. All eight course races on the program were completed for the men’s weight categories (A, B, C, D) and the Women’s category, as well as the spectacular Long Distance, held at the very last moment on the final day.
All eight course races on the program were completed for the men’s weight categories (A, B, C, D) and the Women’s category, as well as the spectacular Long Distance, held at the very last moment on the final day.
The days were long and demanding: starts often delayed, long waits on the water, races running until sunset and a big physical effort for the athletes. After the postponement on the first day, hopes for the Long Distance seemed to be fading again on Sunday, when the lack of wind kept the fleet ashore until midday.
But at 13:15, just as the time limit for the last warning signal was about to expire, a gentle westerly breeze at 6–7 knots filled in—enough to hoist the Delta flag and launch the marquee race, with around 150 boards on the water at the same time. Too bad for those who thought about heading home early, convinced it would be a write-off of a day.
The excitement erupted and everyone was ready to hit the water. That was the moment the true Windsurfer spirit shone through: despite the fatigue of the previous days, everyone wanted to be there, to finish in style with the most spectacular race—the one with all the colorful sails out together on the sea.
The course—a two-lap, one-mile loop with downwind, upwind and reaching legs—delivered a unique show in front of the resort’s beach. After roughly an hour and a quarter of racing, Andrea Marchesi (ITA 017, Associazione Vela Sabazia, cat. A) was first across the line, followed by reigning world champion Alessandro Torzoni (ITA 90, LNI Olbia, cat. B) and Luca Frascari (ITA 013, East Bay Yachting Club Anzio).
Freestyle also took center stage, firing up the crowd at sunset in front of the Beach Bar at PuntAla Camp & Resort, between happy hour and a DJ set. Not valid for the overall standings, but hugely appreciated and well attended: creative tricks and plenty of fun once again highlighted the playful, engaging spirit of the Windsurfer Class.
Women: 1st Valeria Zullo (ITA 1710), 2nd Giulia Cocco (ITA 263)
Men: 1st Stephan Louw (RSA 069), 2nd Nicola Spadea (ITA 2019), 3rd Marco Di Benedetto (ITA 3020), 4th Skir Nederpelt (0030), 5th Luca Del Gato (399), 6th Sam van Diepen (704), 7th Emile Martinie (13), 8th Michele Genna (1311), 9th Alain Blondeau (38), 10th Yuki Castrone (6751), 11th Leonardo Di Francesco (327).
As for the Championships, Italy and France dominated the podiums, with eight for France (2 golds, 4 silvers, 2 bronzes) and six for Italy (3 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronzes), while the Netherlands took a third place in the Heavyweights.
The battle was fiercely fought across all categories:
In the Women (F), Valeria Zullo (ITA 1710, Tognazzi Marine Village) becomes European Champion, leading the entire championship consistently and keeping ahead of 16-year-old Benedetta Barone (ITA 230, Circolo Canottieri Aniene), first among the Young, and France’s Sandra Marçon, who after the Long Distance earns the podium by undermining Italy’s Maria Giada Zalapì (ITA 23, Albaria), fourth.
In the Lightweight (A) the European Champion is Andrea Marchesi (ITA 017, Associazione Vela Sabazia), who confirms his dominance with six partial victories and a substantial margin over his pursuers. Behind him Pascal Bugeaud (FRA 6069) maintains second place, while Marco Costagli (ITA 85, LNI Piombino) is third.
In the Mediums (B), it was neck-and-neck all week: reigning World Champion Alessandro Torzoni (ITA 90, LNI Olbia) and Frenchman Frédéric Duthil (FRA 1377) were paired at the top, then the Long Distance rewarded Torzoni, who also takes home the title of European Champion. Third was Eric Belot (FRA 397, Yacht Club Villeneuve Loubet), trailing by only six points, with the ranking remaining open until the last.
In the Medium Heavy (C), Frenchman Cyril Dardashti (FRA 5611), undisputed leader of the Course Race with 7 wins out of 8, wins the title ahead of Jean Philippe Delapierre (FRA 037), first among the Legends, who recovers thanks to the Long Distance. Completing the podium is Italian Fabio Balini (ITA 211), first among the Super Legends, the class legend.
In the Heavy (D) is the European Champion the French Frédéric Gautier (FRA 8, St Quentin), solidly in the lead after eight trials run with great regularity and a good Long Distance. Behind him is Frédéric Boc-Ho (FRA 303, Wishbone Club Dinard), while Dutchman Marcel Van der Ploeg (NED 031, WSV Oostvoorne) occupies third place.
Honourable mention to the 21 under-18 sailors, the new generation and proof of the class’s renewal, who threw themselves into the challenge with enthusiasm; among them the youngest, 11-year-old Giuseppe Accardo (Vela LNI Marsala).
Complete rankings:
https://iwcaitalia.sailti.com/en/default/races/race-resultsall/text/WindsurferEuropeanChampionships2025-en
Live tracking MetaSail: https://www.metasail.it/live/764/
A finale worthy of a major event, delivering powerful emotions, team spirit and a beautiful image of sportsmanship and passion in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma. A special thank-you to the kindness and helpfulness of the Centro Velico Punta Ala staff and the entire Organising Committee: a constant presence on shore and on the water, supporting the athletes and carefully managing even the most complex moments. From a sporting perspective, this was a serious, well-rounded championship: plenty of races, variable conditions and standings that truly brought out the real values on the field.
The Windsurfer spirit confirmed the strength of an event capable of combining sport, tradition, technique and friendship, enhancing the authentic soul of the class, which continues to make even the new generations fall in love without ever forgetting its roots. A spirit on and off the water, thanks to the social events put on by the Punta Ala Sailing Center together with its organizing partner PuntAla Camp & Resort: from the Crew Dinner Party at the Bubula restaurant, to the freestyle show during the DJ set, to the happy hour at the beach bar. And, above all, the pleasure of all getting together in a small “Olympic village” inside the PuntAla Camp & Resort.
More info:
https://www.centrovelicopuntaala.it/regate/campionato-europeo-windsurfer-2025/
