SFT crowns first E-Foil World champions in Abu Dhabi thriller
The SFT Surf Foil World Tour crowned its first E-Foil World Champions in Abu Dhabi after two-days of high-octane action in perfect conditions at the Fahid Island Watersports' Festival, presented by Aldar.
Tour leaders, the USA's Justin Chait and Sweden's Agnes Wicander, were unmatched as they powered their way around the technical course just metres from beach to the delight of spectators on the shoreline.
Chait, from Florida, held the top ranking heading to Abu Dhabi after five SFT E-Foil stops. He could barely contain his emotion as he tried to digest his pioneering title victory.
"It feels pretty awesome," said Chait. "I'm beyond stoked. Since day one getting into E-Foil and seeing the future of E-Foil racing and now winning the world championship here in Abu Dhabi is just absolutely incredible. Mind blowing."
The Swede, Wicander, has also been in a league of her own all season and seized the title with a stellar run at the SFT E-Foil World Cup Abu Dhabi on the Gulf's crystal clear waters.
"It feels amazing; so fun," said Wicander. "I was nervous, I have to admit. My plan was just not to fall, and when you think that, that's when you're at risk of falling. I called my mum before and she said, 'have fun; do what you love'. This sport is for everyone. This is just the start. It's only going to get bigger."
On day two of the SFT E-Foil World Cup Abu Dhabi 2025, the 18 men and eight women from 11 nations around the world, faced off in a head-to-head knockout.
The American athlete Jacob Ranney pinned his hopes on a new, speedy strategy that got him all the way to the semi-final. But his close friend and rival, Justin Chait, was his biggest obstacle in the all-American battle. Chait got the better of the encounter.
Another semi pitted the quick Spaniard, Manel Arpa, against Clemens Kresser, from Austria. Arpa just had the edge.
Kresser went to the mini-final in the run-off for the third podium place. He met Jacob Ranney, but the Austrian was too strong on this occasion. Ranney, who entered Abu Dhabi second in the rankings, did enough to take the runner-up spot in the championship race.
Justin Chait came into sixth and closing E-Foil tour stop leading the rankings. In the final he wass up against his old sparring partner, Manel Arpa. Over three tight laps, the pair went toe-to-toe. Chait just had the pace and landed the win in Abu Dhabi, giving him the title.
The women's competition was just as intense. The first semi-final saw Latvia's Natalja Tarasenko face Agnieszka Abramovicz, of Poland. Tarasenko's steady progress gave her win.
A second semi pitched France's Nina Louesse against Agnes Wicander. The Swede had not put a foot wrong all season and continued her flawless performance to go to the final.
Abramovicz met Louesse in the fight for third place. The Dubai-based Frenchwoman did enough to take the win and the podium spot.
The final is a showdown between Natalja Tarasenko and Agnes Wicander. The Swede's pace put her in a league of her own again. Wicander got the victory and lands the SFT E-Foil World Championship title.
Fahid Island delivered again and proved itself the ideal venue to crown the first SFT Surf Foil World Tour E-Foil World Champions.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: See full event images and tag @SvetlanaRomantsova and @Lukas_k_Stiller
SFT E-Foil World Championship 2025 (Men)
1 Justin Chait (USA)
2 Jacob Ranney (USA)
3 Clemens Kresser (AUT)
SFT E-Foil World Cup Abu Dhabi 2025 (Men's Pro)
1 Justin Chait (USA)
2 Manel Arpa (ESP)
3 Clemens Kresser (AUT)
SFT E-Foil World Championship 2025 (Women)
1 Agnes Wicander (SWE)
2 Natalja Tarasenko (LAT)
3 Nina Louesse (FRA)
SFT E-Foil World Cup Abu Dhabi 2025 (Women's Pro)
1 Agnes Wicander (SWE)
2 Natalja Tarasenko (LAT)
3 Nina Louesse (FRA)
SFT E-Foil World Cup Abu Dhabi 2025 (Men's Open)
1 Alan Fedit (FRA)
2 Max Domijan (ARG)
3 Renaud Barbier (FRA)