It was another gloriously tropical day in Jericoacoara with the Atlantic dressed in aquamarine for 18 scheduled races. After yesterday’s lung-busting long-distance races, the fleet switched gears to short, sharp upwind–downwind heats with a reaching finish. The troublesome flows of seaweed that plagued Sunday’s racing were far less of a menace, thanks to a course shift deeper in the bay where the weed was smaller and easier for riders to manage.
The 37-strong men’s fleet was divided into yellow and blue fleets, while the 12 women continued their increasingly intense battles in a single fleet.
Ghio and Manowiecki set up a heavyweight showdown
Mathis Ghio, already confirmed as the 2025 World Cup series champion, came ashore beaming after a day tailor-made to his strengths. The steady 20-knot breeze was a far cry from yesterday’s brutal long distance racing, a discipline the Frenchman admits he never fully enjoys. Determined to win the event and reclaim the Jeri title he lost to Poland’s Kamil Manowiecki last year, Ghio delivered five wins from six, a crash forcing him to settle for third in race five. “The short course racing has always been my type of racing and I’m very pleased with my five bullets,” he said.
Mathis Ghio (FRA) © IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
Because of their leaderboard positions, Ghio and Manowiecki were seeded into different fleets, keeping the two rivals apart for now. But Manowiecki was also in good form in yellow fleet, taking four bullets and two second-place finishes as he showcased the speed he has built during a solitary two-week training stint in Brazil.
“I’ve never been so fast,” he said, still surprised at the leap in performance once the full fleet arrived and the real benchmarking began.
Tomorrow’s re-shuffle into gold and silver fleets promises the first true head-to-head between the season’s two standout performers.
Spanu dominates as Picot and Belloeuvre push hard
Like Ghio, Maddalena Spanu is determined to finish her season on a high. The Italian has never won in Brazil and a victory here would complete an unbeaten run through the entire 2025 World Cup series. Already 17 points clear at the top of the standings in Jeri, she’s already looking uncatchable.
Behind her, an absorbing battle is developing between the French duo of Vaina Picot, from Guadeloupe, and Kylie Belloeuvre. Picot sits second overall and has been pushing Spanu harder than anyone. Just 16 years old, her form in Jeri feels like a preview of what could be a breakout 2026 season. Her progression this year has been immense.
Kylie Belloeuvre (FRA) © IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
It was a mixed day for Greece’s Emilia Kosti, whose hopes were nearly sunk by a slow puncture in her wing during race two. A rapid assist ashore from Spanu’s father got her back on the water and she salvaged several commendable podium finishes despite the setback.
Vila Kalango continues to charm
The event is being hosted for the fourth time by Vila Kalango, the eco-hotel that first opened 27 years ago and remains Jeri’s most characterful venue. Its luxury wooden chalets sit shaded beneath the same 57 palm trees planted by the founder when the village was still an undiscovered paradise. Sustainability runs through every detail; from hand-made local soaps wrapped in locally produced paper to a menu centred on fresh, locally caught fish.
Villa Kalango, Jericoacoara © IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
“It makes total sense. There are many customers in the world now that want this,” said Paolo Piatti, one of the hotel’s partners. “There’s huge attention to detail and we want guests to say that something has surprised them every day. Jeri may have changed over the years but Vila Kalango is Jeri, an example of what it was and can be again.”
