We couldn’t be more thrilled: Matteo Iachino is the 2026 PWA Foil Slalom World Champion! After taking his Slalom X world title earlier this year on Fuerteventura, Matteo now adds title number two in the same season. Huge congratulations, Matteo. Two world titles in one year is pure class! 🙌
The stage was Tsukuihama Beach in Yokosuka, Miura, where Mount Fuji frames the racecourse when the weather plays along. This year it took its time: three days with too little wind, plus a big swell from Super Typhoon In-fa that sent the whole fleet scrambling to safety on day two. When the breeze finally kicked in on the last day, it delivered a fast, tense and unforgettable finale. A big thank you to the organisers and the local crew for hosting another epic event!
Japan did what Japan does best: pure drama. A semi-final crash left Matteo in tenth place and the title seemed to be slipping away, but he kept his cool, won the final elimination and clinched the world championship in the third tie-break by the narrowest of margins. Nerves of steel!
Big congrats also to Maciek Rutkowski on a strong fifth place! After Slalom X bronze on Fuerteventura and the IFCA Fin Slalom World Champion title in Leucate, Maciek once again proved he is one of the most consistent racers on the tour. Well done, Maciek! 👏
📸: John Carter
