Zoe Trudeau has reached a major milestone in her young career. In just her first season on the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, the 16-year-old F-ONE America rider claimed her first career event victory at the Fuerteventura World Cup. The win also makes history, as Zoe becomes the first female F-ONE athlete to win a GWA World Tour event, moving into 4th overall in the Surf-Freestyle World Tour standings.
After narrowly missing the semifinals in Gran Canaria by less than a point, Zoe returned to Fuerteventura with a new mindset, determined to trust her training and enjoy the sport she loves. That change paid off in a big way.
“Zoe Trudeau stormed through an amazing second semifinal, posting an impressive overall score of 24.57 to book her spot in the final alongside the new World Champion, Nia Suardiaz.” – GWA
The women’s final featured Sofia Ginzinger, Nia Suardiaz, Viola Lippitsch, and Zoe Trudeau in one of the highest-level heats of the season.
“Finals day brought the intensity to a whole new level. The women’s final was first up, with Sofia Ginzinger, Nia Suardiaz, Viola Lippitsch and Zoe Trudeau battling it out for the win in Fuerteventura. What a display of action from all four women, pushing the level of Surf-Freestyle like never before. Viola Lippitsch edged into the lead, with Zoe Trudeau just a fraction behind after landing an impressive Frontside 7 for 9.8 points. Suardiaz and Ginzinger trailed further back. All four held their positions until the final trick attempts — and that’s when the heat flipped. Ginzinger, Suardiaz and Lippitsch each crashed their last attempts, but Trudeau stunned the crowd with a Palau Frontside 3, scoring 8.83 points to boost her into first place. An incredibly well-deserved event win after an outstanding performance for this newcomer on tour who is just 16 years of age.”
Zoe’s reflections
“So much of my life has revolved around this sport, wingfoiling. Thanks to my parents and F-ONE America I was able to join the GWA World Tour this year. I came into the season expecting everything from myself, but ultimately putting pressure on a sport that I have always felt passion for made me choke.
After somewhat of an upset in Gran Canaria, missing the semifinals by less than a point, I was devastated. I put in so many hours on the water this last year but needed consistency in my tricks. As I like to say, failure is feedback.
I took that with me to Fuerteventura and decided it was time to flip the script. I changed my mindset entirely. I decided I wanted to be the person that 9-year-old me would look up to, on and off the water. Someone who builds the sport and its athletes up and the person with the biggest smile.
My heats in Fuerteventura were a representation of training, mindset, and an obsession for wingfoiling. I received an innovation score of 10.00 for a Frontside 720 and made it to my first semifinal and finals in a World Tour event, which was a huge moment.
The final heat was packed with amazing female riders. I knew I needed to land my Frontside 720 and Palau 360 to get on the podium. Once I landed a solid backflip, Palau, and 720, it was time to fully send for a shot at first place. After missing two Palau 360 attempts, I went close to the beach to listen for feedback from my crew. Thanks to none other than Chris MacDonald, who told me to lift my front arm at the end of the rotation to land my Palau 360, I was able to complete a high and clean Palau 360 to win the heat and my first GWA event.
The support from back home and on the beach here has been amazing and really shown what a cool community we have as windsports athletes.”
Congratulations, Zoe, on an unforgettable performance and a well-deserved first GWA victory! We couldn’t be more proud to have you representing F-ONE America, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.