Argentine athlete Fernando Javier Cappi, aged 32, lost his life in a tragic accident while kitesurfing in Lagoa Setúbal, in the province of Santa Fé, Argentina, on August 6, 2026. The athlete’s final moments were recorded on video by his girlfriend, Karina Moya, aged 28, who accompanied him from the shore. Cappi’s body was found about 20 hours later, on August 7, 2026.
The last moments recorded before the disappearance
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Fernando Cappi had traveled from Rosario to the Paraje El Chaquito region to practice the sport, taking advantage of the weather conditions that allowed navigation. While Karina recorded the maneuvers, Cappi performed a jump and, upon falling into the water, quickly submerged and did not return to the surface. The video is now a fundamental piece in the police investigation to understand the circumstances of the fatality. Realizing that she could no longer locate her boyfriend, Karina expressed her anguish and nervousness.
Search for the athlete and location of the body
The search efforts for Fernando Cappi mobilized agents from the Argentine Naval Prefecture, police officers and other kitesurfers, who used private boats to sweep different areas of the lagoon. Although part of the athlete’s equipment was found in the early hours, Cappi’s body was only located the following day, on August 7, 2026, around noon. He was found in the diversion channel, in front of the Club Náutico El Quillá, approximately 15 kilometers from the point where he had last been seen.
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Autopsy reveals cause of death and absence of injuries
Prosecutor María Laura Urquiza ordered an autopsy to clarify the cause of death. The result indicated asphyxiation due to drowning, ruling out the presence of injuries on Cappi’s body. This data is crucial for the investigation, as it indicates that the death occurred due to submersion, and not due to a previous impact or trauma.
Hypotheses about the accident and the role of new equipment
Cappi was recognized as an experienced kitesurfing professional, with his own school and a reputation for being extremely strict with safety procedures. On the day of the accident, he was wearing safety equipment, including a yellow helmet and a life jacket. However, one of the hypotheses investigated is that he was unable to free himself from the kite in time. A week before the incident, Cappi had debuted lace-up boots, which may have been a contributing factor. Investigations consider the possibility that he was trapped in the equipment and dragged by the water, among branches carried by the river. At the time his body was found, he was still wearing his boots and vest underneath his sports attire.
Climatic conditions were also analyzed. Although midday had strong winds of up to 70 km/h and waves of 1.5 meters, at the time of the accident, around 5:15 pm, the wind had decreased and stabilized between 40 and 45 km/h. Despite the decrease, these speeds still represent a considerable challenge for practicing the sport, especially if there is a problem with the equipment or detachment capacity.
What remains to be investigated about the tragedy
The exact circumstances that led to Fernando Cappi’s death remain under investigation by Argentine authorities. The video recorded by the girlfriend is being analyzed in detail to understand the sequence of events. The investigators are seeking to understand whether there was any failure in the equipment or whether the use of new boots with laces may have prevented the athlete from letting go quickly, an essential maneuver in risky situations in kitesurfing.