Maddalena Spanu returned to Italy this evening, at Fiumicino airport, the 17-year-old from Oristano who triumphed two days ago, in the waters of Hong Kong, in the "Wingfoil Asian Open Trophy", the prestigious international competition that precedes the first stage World Cup, from 22 to 26 May, in Turkey.
Maddalena returned home together with her brother Nicolò, 20 years old, who placed third, in the men's category, in the same Hong Kong event of the new emerging discipline, in the field of sailing, which is increasingly establishing itself as the evolution of windsurfing, very spectacular and requiring significant physical effort: the athlete seems to hover on the water thanks to an inflatable wing that he maneuvers with both hands.
«It went very well, I'm happy: the racing conditions at sea were not easy at all due to the wind - said Maddalena upon arrival in Fiumicino - We managed to carry out 10 tests. Now the next events are in France, at the "Défi Wing 2024" from 6 to 8 May in Gruissan, where there will be 300 participants, and then the first stage of the World Championship in Turkey." «I expected something more in terms of results - Nicolò's words - On the first day I fell and had to recover positions. In the following days I came first in several tests, managing to finish third in the final ranking. A good test in view of the most important events in Europe." The undisclosed dream of the two young athletes is «that the Wingfoil arrives at the Olympics as soon as possible: we are ready to face such a challenge». «The new discipline, coming to us from windsurfing, is a growing sport, in Italy and around the world, which is bringing together those who surf, kite and windsurf: the equipment is small, then, and helps with transfers. A big movement is being created and it is also being seen by sponsors, especially in Asia, where they already see it, making strong investments, as a future Olympic discipline."
(Unioneonline/ss)