Monegasque skydivers claimed gold and silver medals during the FAI World Air Tunnel Championships in Raeford, USA, which took place from April 9 to 12. Competing with the French Air Tunnel Flight team, the athletes rose to the challenge brilliantly and secured a podium finish in each event. After a relentless commitment against their opponents, the VR4 Open team was crowned World Champion, while the women’s team and the VR8 team each took home a silver medal.
A winning season…
Monegasque Tom Mattoni, along with Mathieu Quizy, Alban Rumolo, and Damien Gouriou began their season by winning the Windgames in France at the end of January. By the start of the second day, the team had risen to the top of the standings with a comfortable 16-point lead.
During the World Championships, they demonstrated their determination and confidence by claiming the most coveted title. For the first time in history, France is the world champion in the Indoor 4-Way Open Gliding Championship.
The women’s team had a goal of winning a medal. Mission accomplished! Pamela Lissajoux, Marie Pineau, Élise Poindron, and Clémentine Le Bohec undertook ten intense rounds, neck and neck with the formidable Chinese team. They were in first place by 3 points in the 9th round, but the final flight penalized them. They ultimately climbed to second place on the podium, with 189 points, compared to 192 for the Chinese.
In Relative Flight 8, it was a team led by Monaco’s own Martial Ferré that represented France at the first-ever VR8 World Championship in a wind tunnel. Comprised of promising young talents and seasoned competitors, the team shone at the ‘Weembinamics’ in November 2024. They continued their momentum by bringing home a silver medal, thanks to a score of 275 points, which placed them ahead of the China and Qatar.
Sights set on next year…
“The VR4 Open team is aiming for major goals and remains focused on winning everything in 2026, whether in airplane jumps or in the wind tunnel. They are ready for it,” said coach Mathieu Bernier.
The French and Monegasque skydiving communities supported their athletes, sending messages of encouragement on social media. The 2026 World Cup will be held in France at the Weembi wind tunnel in Lesquin, which recently hosted the French 8-man Relative Flight Championship. There, the “D’Arc 8” team, made up of Monegasques Noe Mattoni and Thomas Chomel (from the Monaco Parachute Team) won gold.
