Molokai2Oahu Foil World Championships Crowned 2026 Champions With Challenging Conditions in the Kaiwi Channel
HONOLULU, Hawaii (July 23, 2026) — The Molokai2Oahu World Championships crowned its 2026 Foil Champions this week after athletes battled one of the most unusual Kaiwi Channel crossings in recent memory.
Unlike the powerful tradewinds that have defined the race for more than a decade, this year’s competitors were met with exceptionally light winds through much of the 40-plus-mile crossing. The athletes were forced to rely on ocean knowledge, endurance, and precise reading of the swells rather than sustained wind power. Adding to the challenge, a High Surf Advisory was in effect at both the Molokai start and the Oahu finish, creating demanding conditions from the opening launch through the final approach to Kaimana Beach.
The combination produced a race unlike any in recent years, rewarding patience, tactical decision-making, and technical skill across one of the world’s most demanding open-ocean courses.
“Every year the Kaiwi Channel writes its own story,” said Executive Director Shannon Delaney. “This year reminded everyone that nothing can be taken for granted. The lack of consistent trade winds changed the entire dynamic of the crossing, while the powerful surf at both the start and finish demanded complete focus from every athlete. It was a true test of versatility, experience, and determination.”
The Molokai2Oahu Foil World Championships was the final leg of the inaugural Koa Kai Crown series, recognizing the athletes who demonstrated excellence throughout Hawaii’s premier downwind foil races on Oahu, Maui, and Molokai. As the final and most prestigious stop on the series, today’s crossing determined the overall Koa Kai Champions while also serving as the championship finale of the Downwind Foil World Tour, where season-long international rankings were decided.
Edoardo Tanas, representing Italy and living on Oahu, captured the 2026 Molokai2Oahu SUP Foil World Championship after mastering the conditions, finishing in 2:13:02. Tahitian Raiarii Fadier finished second in 2:18:58 followed by fellow countryman Axel Pham to finish the podium in 2:19:34.
From the media boat, an ecstatic and emotional Tanas said, “Today was a huge physical test. Even from the start, it was a test of patience with unpredictable conditions all day. I put in so much work this year and I was absolutely thrilled with the outcome.”
In the women’s SUP Foil division, Maui athlete Annie Reickert claimed her 5th M2O title in a time of 2:52:17. Reickert was up and running out of the gates and never looked back. First-time M2O athlete from Tahiti, Naumi Eychenne, finished 2nd place in a time of 3:08:35. Naumi committed to racing in Hawaii all of July and it paid dividends with a strong podium finish. Brazilian Andrea Moller completed the podium in 4:05:14. Annie Reickert and Edo Tanas both won the overall for the Koa Kai Crown Series.
At the pre-race safety meeting, Annie urged all the new athletes, “be present and soak up the energy of the Kaiwi, look around and absorb the significance of your commitment. Keep moving forward and enjoy the journey the best you can.”
Nothing proved more true as athletes dug deep to test themselves on race day.
The wing foil division was tested from the start of the race, with some athletes taking over 15 minutes to harness the wind and many notable athletes pulling the plug in the early stages of the race. In the end, it was a seasoned M2O athlete Livio Menelau, from Brazil, that showcased a remarkable performance, despite the lighter-than-normal wind conditions, to win the race. Menelau finished in 2:14:48, with M2O Wing Champion Marley Franco, from Maui, finishing in 2nd with a time of 2:24:28, followed by Matt Hume in 2:55:03.
The women’s wing foil division saw a duel with Monika Hagen from Haiku, Maui crossing the finish line first: in 3:16:05 with local Tatiana Grant following in 3:16:30. First-time M2O athlete Carolina Dickenson from Kula, representing Barbados followed in 3:38:25.
With their strong M2O finishes, Marley Franco secured his first Koa Kai Crown. Tatiana Grant and Monika Hagen both tied with overall points after racing head-to-head downwind foiling in Hawaii this summer.
With completion of the third year finishing at Kaimana Beach, the Molokai2Oahu Foil World Championships continues to elevate the sport on the world stage, bringing together Olympic-caliber athletes and Hawaii’s next generation of watermen and waterwomen for one of endurance sport’s most iconic ocean crossings.
Fans are invited to visit the live global broadcast on Rogue TV and the real-time GPS tracking powered by DotVision Motion.
Together, the broadcast and digital platforms delivered an immersive viewing experience as audiences tracked every mile of the legendary Channel of Bones.
FULL M2O RESULTS
FULL KOA KAI RESULTS
M2O FACEBOOK GALLERY
Division Champions
SUP FOIL
Overall Men: Edoardo Tanas, USA, 2:13:02
Overall Women: Annie Reickert, USA, 2:52.17
Women 40+: Tomoko Okazaki, Japan, 4:14.00
Men 19&U: Mala’e McElheny, Hawaii, 2:22:07
Men 20–24: Kai Thompson, Australia 2:19:39
Men 25–29: Kane de Wilde, Hawaii, 2:23:55
Men 30–34: Thomas Goyard, France, 2:34:59
Men 35–39: Alex Tibby, Australia, 2:43:14
Menn 40–44: Trent Gordon, Australia, 2:43:44
Men:45–49: Tomoyasu Murabayashi, Japan, 3:31:31
Men 50–59: Armie Armstrong, New Zealand, 3:08:05
WING FOIL
Overall Men: Livio Menelau, Brazil, 2:14:48
Overall Women: Monika Hagen, Hawaii, 3:16.05
Men 30–39: Patrick Salmon, Hawaii, 3:33:13
Men 40–49: Felipe Valadao, Brazil, 3:17:23
Men 50–59: Blue Eisen, Hawaii, 4:44:53
Men 60+: Ken Winner, Hawaii, 3:30:09