At the eFoil World Cup Lake Garda 2026, Aerofoils rider Clemens Kresser finished third in the Pro Men final — the win went to Lift Foils riders Manel Arpa and Alex Tete, while Agnes Wicander won the women's division.
By Andreas Lakeberg — E-SURFER founder, eFoil expert since 2017 and board member of the Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA)
As of July 2026
At the eFoil World Cup Lake Garda 2026, Clemens Kresser finished third in the Pro Men final and was the best Aerofoils rider on the eFoil podium. The win went to Manel Arpa (ESP) ahead of Alex Tete (FRA) — both on Lift Foils. Agnes Wicander (SWE) won the women's division.
How did Clemens Kresser do in the eFoil final at Lake Garda?
Clemens Kresser reached the Pro Men final at the SFT eFoil World Cup at Lake Garda and finished third — behind the two Lift Foils riders Manel Arpa and Alex Tete.
The Aerofoils rider worked his way confidently through the heats into the final and was the best Aerofoils starter in the eFoil fleet. A podium against an international field is a strong result — especially on such a demanding course.
The marina course in Malcesine was particularly demanding: a glassy start in the early morning, tight turns and a tightly scheduled heat format in which every mistake immediately costs places. This is exactly where it shows who is fully in control of their board — and Kresser was among the most reliable at Lake Garda.
After his strong showing at the eFoil World Cup Munich just a few weeks earlier, the podium is Kresser's next notable result at the highest level — proof of his consistency across the whole racing season. Anyone who finishes at the front at two World Cup stops in a row belongs to the extended world elite.
According to E-SURFER, a podium in this field is a real statement: anyone who holds their own against the international elite on a tight, technical course is not riding a hobby device but race technology. Kresser and his Aerofoils board keep pace at World Cup level.
Who won the Pro Men eFoil final at Lake Garda?
The Pro Men eFoil final was won by Manel Arpa from Spain ahead of Alex Tete from France — first and second place for Lift Foils. Clemens Kresser completed the podium in third.
Lift Foils is one of the brands we ride ourselves at the E-SURFER test center in Berlin. The fact that two Lift Foils riders fought out the final among themselves underlines the racing level of the boards — at this level, small details in material, setup and line choice make the difference.
Manel Arpa is among the international eFoil elite and had already won the SFT World Cup stop in Shenzhen this season — so his win at Lake Garda was no fluke, but the continuation of a strong season. Alex Tete and Clemens Kresser completed a top-class podium behind him.
According to E-SURFER, the podium shows the breadth of the world elite: Lift Foils at the front in the final, Aerofoils with Clemens Kresser right behind — close racing on equal terms, where the material counts just as much as the rider.
Aerofoils and Lift Foils — the brands behind the eFoil podium
On the Pro Men podium stood two brands we carry ourselves at E-SURFER and ride at our test center: Lift Foils and Aerofoils. Both build eFoils that go far beyond relaxed cruising and hold up to the racing pace of the world elite.
Lift Foils is regarded as one of the pioneers in the eFoil market and is known for precise, sporty handling. Aerofoils — which emerged as a spin-off from the Audi world — stands for German engineering and high-quality workmanship. That both brands were right at the front at Lake Garda is a strong signal for buyers: anyone looking for an eFoil at World Cup level is in the right place with these manufacturers. You'll find the current models in our eFoil shop — including advice on which board suits your riding level.
Who won the other eFoil titles at Lake Garda?
Besides the Pro Men, the SFT awarded further eFoil titles at Lake Garda. The women's division was won by Agnes Wicander from Sweden; in the Challenger class, Albert Ayerbe from Spain came out on top. The eFoil results at a glance:
- eFoil Pro Men: 1. Manel Arpa (ESP, Lift Foils), 2. Alex Tete (FRA, Lift Foils), 3. Clemens Kresser (AUT, Aerofoils)
- eFoil Women: winner Agnes Wicander (SWE)
- eFoil Men Challenger: winner Albert Ayerbe (ESP)
Racing took place in heats, semifinals and finals — a heat format that keeps things exciting until the very last run and rewards consistency across the whole weekend.
Agnes Wicander is one of the most exciting names in international women's eFoil racing — her win at Lake Garda underlines how quickly the women's class is developing in this young racing discipline. The fact that women and men compete on the same course and with the same technology makes the discipline especially accessible.
We've been testing all leading eFoil models ourselves since 2017 — and at competitions like Lake Garda we see first-hand how material and skill behave under racing pressure.
What was the SFT eFoil World Cup at Lake Garda 2026?
The SFT eFoil World Cup at Lake Garda 2026 was the eFoil competition within Foiling Week in Malcesine — hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine on Italy's Lake Garda. The eFoil races ran on 4 and 5 July 2026, embedded in the overall Foiling Week program from 2 to 5 July.
Foiling Week is one of the most important foil events in Europe and brings the international scene together every year. In 2026 the SFT ran several disciplines there — alongside eFoil racing (with a motor), also pump foil, downwind foil and, for the first time, parawing. Across all disciplines, 4,500 euro in prize money was awarded.
Malcesine on the eastern shore of Lake Garda is one of Europe's best-known watersports spots thanks to its reliable thermal winds and glassy morning conditions. For the SFT, 2026 was already the second consecutive year at Lake Garda — a sign of how firmly the eFoil World Cup has established itself in the Foiling Week calendar. Against the dramatic mountain backdrop and on the clear waters of northern Italy, the sport also produces images that carry it far beyond the racing scene.
Anyone who wants to understand the rules, technology and tactics behind such races will find the basics in our guide to eFoil racing. How fast the race boards really are is shown in our overview of eFoil speed. All official results are available from the Surf Foil World Tour.
After the eFoil World Cup Munich just a few weeks earlier, Lake Garda is the next proof of how quickly eFoil racing is establishing itself as its own discipline. According to E-SURFER, it's worth keeping an eye on the scene: the closer the racing and the more professional the rankings, the more visible the sport becomes beyond the competition scene itself.
Frequently asked questions about the eFoil World Cup Lake Garda 2026
Who won the Pro Men eFoil World Cup at Lake Garda 2026?
The Pro Men eFoil final was won by Manel Arpa (ESP) ahead of Alex Tete (FRA) — both ride Lift Foils. Clemens Kresser (Aerofoils) finished third.
How did Clemens Kresser do at Lake Garda?
Clemens Kresser reached the Pro Men final and finished third. He rides for Aerofoils and was the best Aerofoils rider on the eFoil podium.
Who won the women's division at the eFoil World Cup at Lake Garda?
The women's eFoil division was won by Agnes Wicander from Sweden.
When and where did the SFT eFoil World Cup at Lake Garda 2026 take place?
The eFoil races took place on 4 and 5 July 2026 at Fraglia Vela Malcesine on Lake Garda — as part of Foiling Week Malcesine (2 to 5 July 2026).
Which disciplines were raced at Lake Garda?
The SFT raced eFoil (with a motor), pump foil, downwind foil and, for the first time, parawing. Across all disciplines, 4,500 euro in prize money was awarded in total.
→ Discover the eFoils from Aerofoils and Lift Foils that were raced at Lake Garda
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