A sunrise start, a perfectly aligned swell, and a high-speed battle on the water. The morning was highlighted by the Foil Drive Downwinder event of the Crozon Foil Festival 2026. Setting off from Cap de la Chèvre, 21 riders from around the globe competed on their surfboard setups equipped with Foil Drive electric assist systems, finishing at the port of Morgat.
A start beneath the cliffs of Cap de la Chèvre
In the early morning hours, the 21 competitors (19 men and 2 women) gathered at the port of Morgat before boarding safety boats to reach the starting line at the foot of the impressive Cap de la Chèvre cliffs. Once on site, riders needed only a few minutes to set up their gear. In a discipline where every detail matters, choosing the right foil size proved decisive. With a Foil Drive motor mounted under the board, competitors had to find the best compromise between speed, glide, and the ability to capitalize on the swell. At 9:00 AM, the start was given under the stunning light of the rising sun. Driven by a solid swell heading toward Morgat, the riders took off for a technical, fast-gliding race through a spectacular backdrop.
Luke Atkinson claims his first victory!
Three distinct groups formed quickly along the course. Out front, the battle for the win pitted Australian Luke Atkinson against Hawaiian Marley Franco. The two riders pulled away early and engaged in an intense duel all the way to the finish. Luke Atkinson ultimately took the win with a time of 21 minutes and 5 seconds (21’05 »), finishing ahead of the young Hawaiian waterman Marley Franco.
Behind them, the battle for the remaining podium spots delivered plenty of excitement. France’s Melvyn Mouret faced tough competition, notably from Germany’s Lukas Schuler and America’s Paul Cooper. At the end of this international showdown, Melvyn Mouret secured a spot on the podium, putting France on the podium.
Holly Pye victorious in the women’s division
In the women’s fleet, England’s Holly Pye managed the Breton conditions masterfully, which closely mirrored her home spot in the UK. She won the event in 26 minutes and 57 seconds (26’57 »), finishing roughly 30 seconds ahead of Dutch rider Bowien van der Linden. It was a tight duel that showcased the intensity of this first women’s matchup on today’s course.
An evolving discipline
With the Foil Drive Downwinder event, the Crozon Foil Festival reinforces its commitment to showcasing emerging foil disciplines and aims to expand this format for its next edition. Thanks to electric assistance, riders can access new grounds and cover long distances by leveraging natural elements, all while maintaining the technical demands of foil piloting. Combining athletic performance, technological innovation, and an exceptional natural setting, this race starting from Cap de la Chèvre provided a fantastic display for foil enthusiasts gathered for the opening morning of the Presqu’île Crozon Foil Festival 2026.
| 1 | 4 | Luke ATKINSON Australia | Foil drive men | F | 21:05.4 | – |
| 2 | 20 | Marley FRANCO Hawaii | Foil drive men | M | 21:06.8 | +0:01.4 |
| 3 | 21 | Melyn MOURET | Foil drive men | M | 21:44.5 | +0:39.1 |
| 4 | 5 | Lukas SCHULER Germany | Foil drive men | F | 21:57.6 | +0:52.2 |
| 5 | 3 | Paul COOPER USA | Foil drive men | F | 22:11.4 | +1:06.0 |
| 6 | 17 | Mark SHINN Uk | Foil drive men | M | 25:05.0 | +3:59.6 |
| 7 | 10 | Romuald MAMADOU France, Méditerranée | Foil drive men | M | 25:44.5 | +4:39.1 |
| 8 | 19 | Greg CLOSIER France Bretagne | Foil drive men | M | 26:09.6 | +5:04.2 |
| 9 | 12 | Ben PYE United Kingdom | Foil drive men | M | 26:28.8 | +5:23.4 |
| 10 | 1 | Holly PYE United Kingdom | Foil drive women | F | 26:57.0 | +5:51.6 |
| 11 | 6 | Oliver LAVOISEY SPAIN | Foil drive men | F | 27:09.1 | +6:03.7 |
| 12 | 8 | Nico HOPP Germany | Foil drive men | M | 27:21.0 | +6:15.6 |
| 13 | 16 | Teodoro ROFRANO Italy | Foil drive men | M | 27:26.1 | +6:20.7 |
| 14 | 2 | Bowien VAN DER LINDEN Netherlands | Foil drive women | F | 27:35.6 | +6:30.2 |
| 15 | 18 | Fred BONNEF Espagne | Foil drive men | M | 27:51.0 | +6:45.6 |
| 16 | 7 | Nathan AMIZET Charentes maritime | Foil drive men | M | 27:54.1 | +6:48.7 |
| 17 | 13 | Sam ESTEVE France | Foil drive men | M | 27:57.4 | +6:52.0 |
| 18 | 11 | OLIVIER JARDON EL HINY SWITZERLAND | Foil drive men | M | 32:30.0 | +11:24.6 |
| 19 | 15 | Julien RIEUPEYROUT France / nouvelle Aquitaine | Foil drive men | M | 34:53.0 | +13:47.6 |
| 20 | 14 | Frederic NEYES France Ile de France | Foil drive men | M | 43:22.5 | +22:17.1 |
