Women’s battle for world title ready for the decider after opening day’s action in Abu Dhabi
GKA Hydrofoil Big Air World Cup Abu Dhabi
25-30 Oct, 2025 | Fahid Island
GKA Freestyle World Cup Abu Dhabi
25 Oct-2 Nov, 2025 | Fahid Island
Reigning world champion, Switzerland’s Andrea Zust, put down a marker on the opening day of competition at the GKA Hydrofoil Big Air World Cup Abu Dhabi.
Even in the light breezes at the Fahid Island Watersports’ Festival, presented by Aldar, Zust earned herself a place in the final with a big total from in her first round, helped by a huge Backroll Board-off at the start of her heat.
The women were first on the water ahead of the 16 men who will battle for the crown after the Hydrofoil Big Air first round in Sylt, Germany, in August, when New Zealand’s Hugo Wigglesworth won, putting him top of the rankings.
The New Zealander is gunning for his first world title and will be in the fight against key rival, Germany’s Finn Flügel, and the Casati brothers, Lorenzo and Leonardo, in the coming days.
But when conditions allow, the women’s final will likely be first up. Zust will face-off against Christelle Divry, of France, Katerina Salandova, of the Czech Republic, and Britain’s Annie Branton.
Divry was one of the strongest contenders on the opening day of action, while Salandova found her groove in the semi-final to book her spot in the last round.
Large crowds thronged the beach at Fahid Island, where the GKA is making its first appearance, to enjoy the action and soak up the vibe. The watersports festival is a 9-day jamboree that will also include the Freestyle discipline, the GWA Wingfoil World Tour and the Surf Foil World Tour action.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Lukas K Stiller
Spot Info: Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi
Wind
Fahid Island is being developed as a purpose-built watersports’ facility and sits next to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island Marina, home of the Formula 1 circuit. The breezes in late October tend to be light-to-moderate, building to between 12 and 18 knots as the day goes on. The wind blows mainly cross-onshore from the north, with the seas remaining mostly flat in the bay sheltered by islands.
Weather
Sea temperatures in October and November are still warm, ranging from 28°C to 31°C, so board shorts and a rashie are all that is necessary on the water. The air temperature ranges from a low of 28°C overnight, to a high of 35°C in the day. Sunrise is at about 06.00 with sunset at about 18.40.
Event information
- Location: Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi
- Dates: 25-30 October
- All event information here.
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