A World Cup competitor on his way to work.

PWA Foil Slalom World Cup Japan 2026

Typhoon disrupts title race

The final Foil Slalom World Cup of the year is taking place in Japan until 4 November. Some 80 kilometres south-west of Tokyo, 55 men and 25 women are competing.

In the women’s standings, this World Cup alone will decide the world title. At both St Peter-Ording and Sylt, the organisers did not have the budget to stage the women’s competition. Justine Lemeteyer is the reigning foil slalom world champion and has already won the Slalom X title on Fuerteventura in 2026. This makes the Frenchwoman one of the top favourites.

However, the competition is also strong. Spain’s Blanca Alabau is fighting for her first world title since 2023, whilst Lina Eržen from Slovenia is aiming to secure her first world title in Japan. The three Oppedal sisters – Helle, Thea and Tuva from Norway – are also very strong. The foil specialists have not been active in PWA competition for some time.

Pragmatic dam-building. The riders’ camp was flooded.

Whilst there are no German-speaking female riders competing in the women’s event, the race for the World Championship title in the men’s event is also exciting from a German perspective. Fabian Wolf is in second place in the world rankings behind Matteo Iachino. However, a lot could still change in these standings, as the riders are very close together on points.

Until now, the wind gods have been so preoccupied with a typhoon elsewhere that, whilst waves were lapping the shores of Yokosuka, the wind at this particular spot – of all places – was not strong enough for foil racing.