First-ever world titles in the discipline for Italy and the Netherlands. Born in Pesaro but based in Quartu Sant’Elena—host city of the World Championship—“Ricky” triumphed over Maeder and Gomez. Behind the Dutchwoman were Moroz and Nolot
Riccardo Pianosi and Jessie Kampman are the new Formula Kite World Champions. They claimed the crown at the ninth edition of the Sardinia Grand Slam, which served as the 2025 World Championship for this rapidly growing discipline that made its Olympic debut last year in Paris.
The Grand Finals, held on Sunday, October 5 in Quartu Sant’Elena (CA) at the conclusion of the Medal Series, saw Pianosi and Kampman finish ahead of Maximilian Maeder and Benoit Gomez (silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s field), and Daniela Moroz and Lauriane Nolot (second and third in the women’s).
It marks the first world title not only for Pianosi and Kampman individually but also for Italy and the Netherlands in Formula Kite. The Medal Series were contested in typical Mistral conditions, with wind speeds ranging from 14 to 20 knots.
PIANOSI: “THIS TITLE IS THE RESULT OF YEARS OF HARD WORK”
“It’s an incredible feeling to be here and to win. It’s such a great reward to finally earn this title after all these years of dedication – I couldn’t be happier,” said Riccardo Pianosi, newly crowned Formula Kite World Champion and the first Italian ever to claim the title.
“There was a lot of emotion during the race – it went really well. I had good sensations, sailed a perfect race, stayed in control, and managed to bring the title home,” added the athlete from the Italian Navy Sports Group.
Pianosi has long been based in Quartu Sant’Elena: “I chose to live here, in Sardinia. Unfortunately, I rarely get to spend as much time here as I’d like, but it’s always special when I do,” said the world champion, who now takes a major step on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
MEN’S COMPETITION: SILVER FOR MAEDER, BRONZE TO GOMEZ
In the high-speed opening race of the men’s Grand Final, Pianosi took the lead from the very first leg, fending off pressure from defending world champion Maximilian Maeder, who stayed close early on. Behind them, Slovenian Toni Vodišek crashed out, paving the way for Frenchman Benoit Gomez to secure the bronze.
At the front, “Ricky” held his nerve against a relentless Maeder and capitalized on the match point he earned on Saturday to claim the world title. Already this year, the Pesaro-born rider—now residing in Quartu Sant’Elena—had won the European Championship in Turkey.
Gomez’s standout performance came in the semifinal, where he eliminated both Toni Vodišek (2022 world champion and Olympic silver medalist) and Gian Stragiotti, reigning U21 world champion. Stragiotti had narrowly missed direct qualification to the Grand Final the day before. A fall at the start eliminated Poland’s Vojtech Koska from contention.
Gomez had launched his run from the Quarter Final Race, where he won ahead of Koska, who also advanced to the semifinals. Jan Matthis Voester and Jan Marciniak were eliminated.
KAMPMAN: “I GET THROUGH MY ERROR WITH GREAT CALM. THIS TITLE IS FOR MY DAD”
The women’s Grand Final was full of drama. Dutch rider Jessie Kampman, who started with a match point earned from topping the Opening Series, seemed poised to close it out early after crashes by all three rivals—Lily Young first, followed simultaneously by Daniela Moroz and Lauriane Nolot. But with just 300 meters to go, Kampman also went down, allowing six-time world champion Moroz to cross first and force a tie at “1 point” each.
In the second race, Kampman made no mistakes, breaking away from the competition to decisively secure the world title. Moroz took silver by virtue of her earlier win, while Nolot—the outgoing world champion and reigning European champion—claimed bronze. “It was fantastic to race in conditions like these,” said Jessie. “Although, when I fell at the end of the first race, I just wanted to slap myself. I know how to start, I know how to finish a race strong — but mistakes happen. I quickly got back on track and told myself: ‘It’s okay, I’ll win the next one.’ What really helped was feeling more relaxed than in the past few days. I felt completely calm and I truly enjoyed the races.”
WOMEN’S COMPETITION: MOROZ AND NOLOT ON THE PODIUM
Moroz had advanced to the final by winning the semifinal, finishing ahead of Britain’s Lily Young and eliminating Breiana Whitehead (Australia) and Elena Lengwiler (Switzerland). Lengwiler, who had staged a brilliant comeback in the last two days, was knocked out after a crash just seconds into the semifinal and another while trying to recover.
In the quarterfinals, Moroz had prevailed ahead of Whitehead, who had edged out Turkish rider Derin Atakan in a close battle. A fall at the start had taken Olympic champion Ellie Aldridge out of the race.
EVENT ORGANIZATION
The Sardinia Grand Slam is organized by GLEsport with the technical support of Chia Wind Club, under the auspices of World Sailing (International Sailing Federation), the IKA (International Kiteboarding Association), and the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). The event is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia – Department of Tourism, Handicrafts and Commerce, and supported and sponsored by the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena. Event partners include Playcar and USE.
QUOTES
Mirco Babini (President of the International Kiteboarding Association)
“This marks the successful conclusion of yet another Formula Kite World Championship in the Olympic class, held in the Gulf of Angels,” said Mirco Babini, President of IKA. “Even more importantly, this was the first major event on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The athletes loved the location—the sea of Quartu Sant’Elena proved to be a winning choice. Thanks to the ongoing support from the Region and the organizers’ solid reputation, we’ve created a highly prestigious international showcase.”
Gian Domenico Nieddu (GLEsport)
“We won our bet,” stated Gian Domenico Nieddu, event organizer. “The coastline of Quartu Sant’Elena lived up to expectations. We were thrilled with the athletes’ feedback, confirming how ideal this destination is—not just for top-level competition, but also for enjoying a stay in Sardinia. The local community’s engagement was also a source of pride. It shows we met our goal. The Sardinia Grand Slam will return in 2026 with a new global format, and we’re already working on it.”
Bruno Perra (Preside Italian National Olympic Committee for Sardinia) “The presence of these top-level athletes brings great prestige to our sporting movement, and we are proud and honored. My thanks go to everyone who worked hard to bring such a beautiful event to life—congratulations.”
Marzia Cilloccu (Department of Tourism, Trade and Crafts – Autonomous Region of Sardinia
“It’s a true celebration here on the Poetto beach, in this beautiful corner of Sardinia, in Quartu. It’s a spectacular event and a unique international showcase. The Region’s support has never been lacking—and never will be. In recent years, we’ve sown the seeds together with the local organizers and the federations. A heartfelt thank you to these incredible athletes—boys and girls alike—and a special mention to Riccardo Pianosi, Sardinian by adoption, which makes us doubly proud.”
Cinzia Carta (Councillor for Sport and Education, Quartu Sant’Elena)
“We’re truly proud to have hosted such an important event in our territory,” said Cinzia Carta, Sports Councillor for the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena. “It was a spectacular, well-attended event with an extraordinary atmosphere. We welcomed athletes from all over the world—focused, but always smiling and approachable, even during their interactions with local students. Quartu proved itself capable of offering a warm, comprehensive welcome. We’re confident this will be the first of many high-profile international sporting events hosted in our area.”
Photos: 1) Jessie Kampman and Riccardo Pianosi, the new Formula Kite World Champions (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 2) Pianosi celebrates as he crosses the finish line in the first and decisive race of the Grand Final (Credits: Roberto Pili); 3) Jessie Kampman celebrates after a dominant week on the water (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 4) The Dutch rider, on the left, defends against Lauriane Nolot’s attack (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 5) Benoit Gomez claims World Championship bronze in Quartu Sant’Elena (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 6) Pianosi “flies” back to the beach after his win (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 7) Smiles all around on the podium: from left, silver medalist Max Maeder, gold medallist Riccardo Pianosi, and bronze medallist Benoit Gomez (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 8) The top eight female finishers with local officials. In the center, Jessie Kampman flanked by runner-up Daniela Moroz and third-place Lauriane Nolot (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk). Free usage granted with credits. Click on the pictures to download.
The Italian is just one win away from the title, while his rivals for the world crown must claim two. Women: Kampman sails as favorite, Nolot also straight into the final (tomorrow in Quartu Sant’Elena)
Riccardo Pianosi has qualified for the Formula Kite World Championship final with the highest score. The Italian needs just one win in the Final Race to be crowned World Champion. Also securing a spot directly in the four-rider showdown is reigning titleholder Maximilian Maeder, who must now chase down the “match point” earned by the adopted son of Quartu. In the women’s fleet, Dutch rider Jessie Kampman advances to the Final with the match point, alongside French contender Lauriane Nolot.
These are the key takeaways from Day 5 of the Sardinia Grand Slam, which featured the last men’s Final Series races and the women’s Opening Series, on Saturday, October 4 in Quartu Sant’Elena (CA). The Medal Series are set for Sunday, October 5th.
SEMIFINALS FOR STRAGIOTTI AND VODISEK, MARX FINISHES 21ST
Having entered the decisive day of the Final Series in the lead, Pianosi consolidated his advantage by winning the second and third races of the day (F6 and F7), then skillfully managed the last one to finish fourth, tallying 39.0 points overall. Shaking off a disappointing Friday and bouncing back after a mishap in F6, Maeder surged back into contention, overtaking both a struggling Toni Vodisek and Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti, who had briefly threatened the match point spot mid-afternoon. The Singaporean closed on 43.0 points and, like Pianosi, will enter the Medal Series straight from the final, hunting for a comeback. Stragiotti (50.0) and Vodisek (81.0) will start from the semifinals.
The Medal Series will open with the Quarter Final Race, featuring Benoit Gomez (winner of today’s final race), Voijtch Koska (who climbed into semifinal range after F6), Britain’s Sam Dickinson, and Poland’s Jan Marciniak. However, ongoing protests related to today’s incidents could still alter the men’s Quarter Final Race lineup.
The other Italian in the Final Series, Flavio Marx, finished 21st overall.
WOMEN: KAMPMAN NEEDS JUST THE “ICING ON THE CAKE”
It was almost a perfect day for Jessie Kampman: three wins and a second place, finishing the Opening Series with 24.0 points. The Dutch rider, winner of the 2024 Sardinia Grand Slam in Cagliari, has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout all five days of racing so far.
Equally steady has been her former compatriot Lauriane Nolot, who in 18 races fell outside the Top 5 only three times—including one UFD. Nolot ended the day strongly with results of fifth, third, second, and first, tallying 51.0 points.
Behind the two finalists stand Switzerland’s Elena Lengwiler (79.0), who also claimed her third race victory of the 2025 Sardinia Grand Slam, and Britain’s Lily Young (80.0). They will wait in the semifinals for the two top finishers from a Quarter Final loaded with big names: Australia’s Breiana Whitehead (84.0), British Olympian Ellie Aldridge (86.0), multiple World Champion Daniela Moroz (94.0), and Turkey’s Derin Atakan (98.0).
THE ORGANIZATION
Organized by GLEsport with the technical-sporting collaboration of Chia Wind Club, the Sardinia Grand Slam takes place under the authority of World Sailing (the International Sailing Federation) and IKA (the International Kiteboarding Association), together with the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). The event is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia – Department of Tourism, Handicrafts and Commerce – with the support and sponsorship of the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena. Event partners include Playcar and USE.
“Quartu will enjoy another major world-class sporting day tomorrow,” said organizer Gian Domenico Nieddu. “And thanks to the big screen set up on the beach within the Village, fans can once again watch the live action. We invite everyone to join us at the Blue Sky beach club from mid-morning, discover this Olympic discipline up close, and experience the excitement alongside the athletes.”
THE MEDAL SERIES PROGRAM & LIVE STREAMING
On Sunday, October 5, the Formula Kite World Championship races will once again be streamed live on the event’s Facebook and YouTube platforms, as well as those of the IKA.
Racing is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m., earlier than initially planned, due to strong mistral winds forecast for midday. An even earlier start is possible: follow updates on our social channels and official website.
Photos: 1) Riccardo Pianosi, Formula Kite World Championship finalist with a match point in hand; 2) Maximilian Maeder, reigning world champion; 3) Jessie Kampman, dominant in the Women’s Opening Series; 4) French Lauriane Nolot, second finalist in the Women’s fleet; 5) The spectacular kite action off the coast of Quartu Sant’Elena (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk).Free usage granted with credits. Click on the images to download.
On the first day of the Final Series, the Italian takes the lead, taking advantage of the reigning world champion’s off day. Women: behind Kampman and Nolot, spotlight on Young and Lengwiler
The unexpected day unfolded on the waters of Quartu Sant’Elena. Max Maeder felt the scent of kryptonite in the Scirocco wind, shrugged off his Superman cape, and slipped from first to fourth place. Riccardo Pianosi seized the opportunity to claim sole leadership, while Toni Vodisek closed in on Gian Stragiotti behind him. Meanwhile, in the women’s fleet, Lily Young and Elena Lengwiler overtook Olympians (Aldridge), six-time world champions (Moroz), and world medalists (Whitehead), rising to third and fourth places behind Jessie Kampman and Lauriane Nolot. It was a wild Friday, October 3rd, off the Blue Sky beach club in Quartu Sant’Elena, where the ninth Sardinia Grand Slam, the Formula Kite World Championship, is underway.
VODISEK AND STRAGIOTTI IN THE “SPOTLIGHT” VOESTER SHINES Pianosi finished the day as leader after a challenging day, with southerly winds between 12 and 18 knots and a temporary pause due to a brief Maestrale breeze. The only sailor to enter the Top 10 in all four races of the Gold Flight (the top 25 from the Qualifying Series) was German Jan Matthis Voester, who climbed to seventh place. Pianosi started with a 12th place (later discarded), redeemed himself by winning Race F2, then added an eighth and a third place. He now leads the Gold Flight with 23.0 points.
Behind him, Slovenian Vodisek, Olympic silver medalist, and Swiss Stragiotti, U21 world champion, each claimed a victory and are now tied at 31.0 points. For Maeder, it was a tough day: one third place and three disappointing results, a sharp contrast to his performance in the first three days with 10 wins and a second place. The battle for fifth to eighth places looks set to be exciting, currently held by Vojtech Koska, Benoit Gomez, Voeckler, and Sam Dickinson.
WOMEN, YOUNG AND LENGWILER EXCEL: “TOUGH DAY, BUT WHAT A JOY” In the women’s fleet, Jessie Kampman remains in command (19.0 points), positioning herself to qualify for the Grand Final on Sunday with two match points. Solid Lauriane Nolot (38.0) is right behind, promising a sporting battle until the end. Beyond them, there are no certainties. A rough day for Breiana Whitehead and Daniela Moroz, combined with an off race from Olympian Ellie Aldridge in Race 13, allowed another English-speaking competitor, Britain’s Lily Young (55.0), to move into the podium zone.
“I’m really happy with how today went,” said Lily Young. “The wind conditions were better than in previous days, even though at times it seemed chaotic. I’m glad I managed to stay consistent today, maintaining better control and continuity. I didn’t win any races, but overall I’m satisfied.” For the British kiter, this is her fourth time in Sardinia: “This race course is very intense and challenging. Every day you need to reset your mind and body, ready for anything, because here you never know what to expect, and that’s exactly what makes it so difficult. Every day brings new challenges.”
The day’s MVP, borrowing an acronym from other sports, was Swiss Elena Lengwiler (57.0), who rose to fourth place thanks to a first, a second, and two third-place finishes. “It was important to achieve consistent results, so I believe I approached the day with the right mindset to deliver a solid performance,” explained Elena Lengwiler. She also described today’s weather conditions: “The wind was really demanding, very unstable and gusty. The races were intense, the fleet was always compact, and there was a fight across the entire course. I enjoyed it. I’m happy.”
TOMORROW’S RACES With the first day of the Final Series complete, tomorrow’s battles will intensify: only the top eight men and top eight women will enter the Medal Series to decide the final sprint of the Formula Kite World Championships. Tomorrow, Saturday, October 4, the wind will come from the West. Racing is scheduled to start at 2:15 PM.
LIVE STREAMING On Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5, the Formula Kite World Championship races will be broadcast live on the event’s and IKA’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. The event will be accessible worldwide, with dedicated services and features. End-of-day highlights will also be shared on the event’s and IKA’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
YOUNG SPORTS JOURNALISTS In the morning, a class from the Porcu Satta sports institute in Quartu Sant’Elena visited the Sardinia Grand Slam. The students and teachers were welcomed by coach Simone Vannucci and Team Italia coach Gian Marco Togni. The instructors introduced the kite foil discipline, and the students were very curious. By the end of the morning, their enthusiasm led them to ask many questions to the Italian coaches as well as athletes Daniela Moroz, Gian Andrea Stragiotti, Toni Vodisek, Giuseppe Paolillo, and Julio Houze. The students had the opportunity to test their English skills (and some even asked questions in German) and discover more details from the protagonists of the Formula Kite World Championships. The visit was also attended by the Sports Councillor of the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena, Cinzia Carta.
ORGANIZATION Organized by GLEsport with technical-sport collaboration from Chia Wind Club, the Sardinia Grand Slam is held under the auspices of World Sailing (the International Sailing Federation) and IKA (the International Kiteboarding Federation), as well as the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). Promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Handicrafts and Commerce, the Sardinia Grand Slam also benefits from the support and patronage of the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena. Event partners include Playcar and USE.
Quartu Sant’Elena, Cagliari, October 3rd, 2025
Photos: 1) All the determination of Riccardo Pianosi, the new leader of the World Championship in Quartu Sant’Elena; 2) A tough day for the defending champion Max Maeder; 3) From right: Toni Vodisek and Cameron Maramenides; 4) From left: Elena Lengwiler, Jessie Kampman, and Lauriane Nolot; 5) Lily Young, climbing back to third place; 6) A crossing of sails on the challenging fourth day of the World Championship; 7) The kite spectacle in the Gulf of Cagliari (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 8) Students of Quartu S. Elena meeting Italy Team. Free use for editorial purposes is allowed with credit mention. Click on the images to download them in high resolution.
World champions in Cagliari three years ago, the Slovenian and the Californian are back in the Top 5 on Day 3 of the Worlds in Quartu Sant’Elena
Sometimes they come back. With the same smile, renewed ambitions, and a deep sense of gratitude. From Cagliari 2022 to Quartu Sant’Elena 2025: three years after their world titles and following long competitive breaks (for different reasons), Toni Vodisek and Daniela Moroz have returned to Sardinia and to the top positions at the Worlds. Both remain among the brightest and most engaging personalities of the kite fleet, shining once again at the Formula Kite World Championships, which today, Thursday, October 2, saw a third race day marked by shifty Mistral winds. Today’s racing defined the overall ranking of the Qualifying Series. Tomorrow, the Final Series begin: men split into Gold and Silver Fleets, women in a single fleet.
TONI VODISEK: “SUMMER LASTS LONGER HERE – AND I’M ENJOYING THE COMEBACK” Vodisek claimed victory in the opening race of the Yellow Fleet, sailed in winds between 10 and 20 knots with 21m kites, ahead of Riccardo Pianosi, before adding a fourth and a second place. Maeder swept the Blue Fleet with three wins, closing the Qualifying Series in the lead (8 points) just one point ahead of Pianosi (9). The Poetto beach and waters continue to smile on Vodisek, the 25-year-old from Izola, Slovenia, who was crowned world champion in 2022 in Cagliari, just a few hundred meters from the Blue Sky Club that now hosts the event.
But his joy is doubled: “It’s my first major competition after the Olympics and after knee surgery. Coming back here for the 2025 Worlds feels amazing – summer stretches on, while back home it’s just 10 degrees. Sardinia is one of the most beautiful places in Europe: even without kiting, it’s perfect to extend the summer.”
“Already being in the Top 10 just two and a half months after my surgery break makes me happy. Max, Ricky, and Gian are incredibly strong – it’s great to race with them. I told Maeder: ‘Thanks for being here,’ because his presence pushes me to improve every single day. Together we grow and have fun. After the silver medal in Paris, I now have huge motivation for the next Olympics in Los Angeles 2028.”
The Paris 2024 silver medalist also enjoys the new venue of the Sardinia Grand Slam: “From a technical perspective, when the Mistral blows, this is an ideal place to race.” And he is settling into Quartu Sant’Elena: “It’s a really nice place. I’ll be here for a month – I’ve already found the arcade: when we’re not on the water, we cycle, play bowling and billiards, and then three hours of ping pong!”.
Vodisek smiles, a smile full of gratitude: “I think I have the best job in the world – one that lets me live in an ‘office’ like this,” he says, pointing to the beach, laughing. “This is a wonderful life, full of sport and shared experiences. A greeting to Sardinia: we’ll always come back here. And to everyone following us I say: this is a fantastic place to come on holiday!”.
MOROZ THIRD BEHIND KAMPMAN AND NOLOT: “GREAT TO BE BACK IN THE GAME” The windy roulette of the first women’s race was won by Spain’s Gisela Pulido. Despite a shaky start, Jessie Kampman reaffirmed her leadership, followed by European champion Lauriane Nolot and by Daniela Moroz – the Californian who, three years ago in Cagliari, claimed her sixth world crown. In Quartu Sant’Elena she has returned to competition with her trademark smile, fueled by a special feeling: “I love coming to Sardinia, it’s always amazing: we find very different conditions, and it’s always fun to race here. I’m really happy to be back – I’ve missed it over the last two years.”
Despite her break from racing, the 24-year-old has firmly placed herself in the Top 5, even winning a race on Day 2: “The racing is close and exciting. Each of us is at a different stage of our journey – many took long breaks after the Olympics, and this is the first time we’re all back together since early last year. The battles are tough: Jessie is fast, and of course Lauriane and Ellie are always strong.”
Beyond the Worlds, Moroz already looks toward LA 2028: “It will be the home Olympics for us, in the city where I live – Los Angeles. That’s really exciting”. And about the Sardinia Grand Slam: “It’s my first big event after the Olympics. I took some time off, went back to university, worked during the summer, and only got back into kiting last month. So right now, I’m just getting back in the game, enjoying the process, and having fun. And it feels really good.”
Moroz also shares the beauty of Quartu Sant’Elena, Cagliari, and Sardinia with her followers, in a professional way, through her Instagram stories – from sunrise to sunset. “This year I’m trying out some new things on social media, which I really enjoy. It’s fun. And I’ve learned that you don’t order cappuccino after 12 (laughs). But I’ve really been enjoying the coffee here – it’s excellent.”
THE ORGANIZATION Organized by GLEsport with the technical collaboration of Chia Wind Club, the Sardinia Grand Slam is held under the auspices of World Sailing (the International Sailing Federation) and IKA (the International Kiteboarding Federation), as well as the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). The event is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia – Department of Tourism, Crafts, and Commerce – with additional support and sponsorship from the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena. Event partners include Playcar and USE.
STUDENTS RETURN TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BEACH Tomorrow, students from the Porcu-Satta Sports Institute of Quartu Sant’Elena will once again be protagonists: in the morning, they will meet Team Italy coach Simone Vannucci, coach Gian Marco Togni, and some of the athletes and champions of the Sardinia Grand Slam – Formula Kite World Championships.
TOMORROW’S PROGRAM On Friday, October 3rd, the Final Series begin, with four races per fleet starting at 14:00. The Mistral will once again blow over the waters of Quartu with conditions similar to today. Medal Series are scheduled for Sunday.
Quartu Sant’Elena (CA), October 2nd, 2025
Foto: 1) Funny moments between Toni Vodisek (center), Cameron Maramenides and Benoit Gomez ; 2) Daniela Moroz, six-times World champion; 3) Max Maeder, Worlds’ leader after Day-3; 4) Toni Vodisek in the action at Sardinia Grand Slam; 5) Gisela Pulido Borrell, winner of the Q9 among Women; 6) Daniela Moroz went up to third overall today; 7) Another Mistral day in Quartu Sant’Elena (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk)
Tied between two of the top favorites after the 2nd day of the Sardinia Grand Slam. Stragiotti and Vodisek close behind. Women: Kampman shines, Whitehead strong in the mistral
Max “calls,” Riccardo answers. While reigning World Champion Maeder continues to dominate in the Yellow Fleet, Pianosi firmly takes the stage in the Blue Fleet: with four wins in as many races, the European Champion sends a clear message to his rivals on the 2nd day of the Sardinia Grand Slam – Formula Kite World Championships in Quartu Sant’Elena (CA), Wednesday, October 1st. Born in Pesaro but adopted by Quartu, Pianosi ends the day with 6.0 points, the result of as many consecutive wins. The same net score (6.0) for Maximilian Maeder, whose winning streak was broken in the 7th race of the Worlds (Q7) only by Brazilian Bruno Lobo. In 3rd place remains a strong Gian Stragiotti, followed by Toni Vodisek and Sam Dickinson.
In the women’s field, two partial wins bring Australian Breiana Whitehead to 3rd place, while Jessie Kampman continues to shine at the top (9.0), ahead of European and reigning World Champion Lauriane Nolot (19.0), who improved in the latter part of the day. Daniela Moroz is 4th, Olympic medalist Ellie Aldridge 5th.
PIANOSI: “GREAT VIBES, BUT THE LEVEL IS HIGH AND THERE’S NO ROOM FOR MISTAKES” Pianosi confirmed the strength of his world title ambitions from the very first race, which started with a mistral wind between 14 and 20 knots, gusting up to 22. The Italian finished about 15 seconds ahead of Gian Stragiotti, who closed the gap to 5 seconds in race-2, while in the following ones the runner-up spots went to Polish Vojtech Koska and Croatian Martin Dolenc.
“Today was a really good day,” said Pianosi. “I managed to bring home lots of wins in my fleet, so I’m happy. Yesterday we tried the 21 and today the 15,” explained the Olympic kiter, detailing the use of different sail sizes depending on the wind.
“The sensations are good also for tomorrow, and then the gold fleet awaits us. The level is very, very high; today and yesterday there were some great battles with Gian Andrea Stragiotti. You have to do everything right and leave no room for mistakes.” Max Maeder saw him in great shape, and Riccardo confirms: “I’m fit, I’ve been training well lately – and Sardinia is always fantastic.”
OTHER ITALIANS: DETAILS AND CONSISTENCY AHEAD OF THE YOUTH WORLDS A steady day for Flavio Marx, always in the Top 10 in the Yellow Fleet and 23rd overall. With an eye to future goals, especially the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Marx is focusing on the details in these days in Quartu Sant’Elena, which are offering great racing conditions: “In the coming races I expect to keep the speed but improve my starts.” 9th in Q8, Giuseppe Paolillo is 26th after the 2nd day. Here he’s working on consistency ahead of the Youth Worlds in Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island, Azores. “We’ve trained a lot here in Cagliari, combining water sessions with bike and gym training, we really put the work in. We know the mistral wind well, we’ve logged many hours in these exact conditions. I’ll try to be as consistent as possible and give my best in this World Championship. Looking ahead, I want to keep improving, and one of the next big goals is the Youth Worlds in the Azores in a few weeks. It will be fun!”
Like Paolillo, Lecce-born Julio Houze is also aiming to grow ahead of the Youth Worlds. He is currently 34th, while his brother Luis “sails” in 52nd place. “With the mistral it’s quite difficult, it’s a tricky wind. This World Championship is important for me to improve and prepare for the U21 and U19 Worlds in the coming weeks and months. It’s a great emotion racing with the best in the world, with those who have been to the Olympics,” commented the Salento rider.
ITALY’S GIRLS IN SEARCH OF THE BEST SENSATIONS More than results, Sofia Tomasoni and Tiana Laporte are chasing (good) sensations. “I missed breathing the air of a kite foil World Championship,” said Tomasoni, back after a year and a half. “I’ve practiced this discipline for about ten years, but I needed to give myself some time: I’ve had the chance to travel the world, I studied and now I’m a mental coach, I trained others, I built a career outside of kiteboarding, and I gave myself the chance to explore new paths. My goal in this regatta is simply to have fun without thinking about the result. It’s important for me to detach a little from that mindset. I want to try to make good starts. And, looking ahead, I’d like to go to the Olympics,” smiled Sofia Tomasoni, under the warm Quartu Sant’Elena sun welcoming her return.
Laporte is 24th: “Yesterday I had several problems and during one race I caught a piece of plastic that took me down. Today I started strong, I started well but it was a UFD, then I tried to do my best in the following races but maybe the 11 wasn’t enough: tomorrow a bigger sail will be necessary and I’ll give it everything. I intend to always do my best, have good races and have fun.”
THE WELCOME AND ENTHUSIASM OF QUARTU SANT’ELENA On Poetto Beach today was also the Sports Councillor of Quartu Sant’Elena, Cinzia Carta. “We are proud of the success of the Sardinia Grand Slam, our citizens are very interested, curious, and there is great involvement from the community. I invite everyone to come and see this great show of world sport. Moreover, this event also involves the students of the Porcu-Satta sports institute, who are experiencing it up close: the experience may end with the presentation of a paper at the end of the school year.”
THE ORGANIZATION Organized by GLEsport with the technical and sporting collaboration of Chia Wind Club, the Sardinia Grand Slam is held under the aegis of World Sailing (the International Sailing Federation) and IKA (the International Kiteboarding Federation), as well as the FIV – Italian Sailing Federation. The event is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Handicrafts and Commerce, and also benefits from the contribution and sponsorship of the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena. Partners of the Sardinia Grand Slam are Playcar and USE.
TOMORROW’S PROGRAM Tomorrow, Thursday, October 2nd, the mistral is expected to persist, lighter than today, Wednesday, October 1st. This evening, based on tomorrow’s weather forecast, the start time will be decided, in any case not before noon.
Formula Kite World Championship: the Singaporean kicks off with four wins in Quartu S. Elena, while Italy’s Pianosi shines. Among the women, the Dutch rider edges Nolot and Moroz
Maeder reminds everyone he is the defending champion, while Stragiotti and Pianosi battle for the role of top challenger, with Olympic silver medalist Vodisek right in the mix. Meanwhile, among the women, Jessie Kampman confirms her special connection with the Gulf of Angels, ahead of two other Poetto “VIPs,” Lauriane Nolot and Daniela Moroz. This is the essence of the opening day of racing at the Sardinia Grand Slam, the Formula Kite World Championship, which kicked off on Tuesday, September 30 in Quartu Sant’Elena (Cagliari) with the Qualifying Series.
MAEDER: “I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE, BUT WITH THESE RIVALS IT WILL BE TOUGH”
Defending champion Maximilian Maeder wasted no time putting his stamp on the Worlds, winning all four races of the Yellow Fleet and topping the Day-1 Overall leaderboard with a net score of 3.0. In race one, Karl Maeder completed the family double. In the other heats, Olympic silver medalist Toni Vodisek took two runner-up spots, while Jan Marciniak claimed second in race 3: the Slovenian sits fourth overall (7.0), the Pole sixth (10.0). Between them is Britain’s Sam Dickinson (9.0).
“It was a really nice day!” exclaimed Maximilian Maeder, the Olympic bronze medalist who returns to Sardinia every year. “I finished first, but the races were really tight. For me it was exhilarating because my last competition was back in June, so I couldn’t wait to get back on the water. I changed some race settings compared to my last event, I trained, improved, and today I felt really good on the water. I’m full of confidence.”
Still, Maeder knows his rivals are dangerous: “Riccardo Pianosi is an incredibly strong rider – and in great form this year: it won’t be easy. Then there’s Gian Stragiotti, my training partner, who did very well today: definitely another tough competitor. And of course Toni (Vodisek), who was in my same fleet today, always chasing me and closing the gap. These are tough opponents, but not the only ones: it’s going to be fun.”
STRAGIOTTI: “GREAT CONDITIONS, WHAT A DUEL WITH PIANOSI!”
On the Overall podium after the first day of the Formula Kite Worlds in Quartu Sant’Elena, Maeder is joined by Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti and Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi, who battled hard in the Blue Fleet. Both the European Champion (Pianosi) and the 18-year-old U21 World Champion (Stragiotti) secured two wins and a third place (4.0).
“We had a beautiful sea breeze today,” said Stragiotti, “with four races in light wind. The conditions were fantastic: warm water, bright sunshine. A really great day. I won the first two races, then in the last two I still stayed within the top five. It’s really fun to duel with the home favorite, Riccardo Pianosi: I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
The young Swiss from Zug also highlighted the weather features of the racing area in Quartu Sant’Elena: “We’re right in the middle of the Gulf and the wind seems to fill in better here, especially the mistral. Plus, we have plenty of space to set up our big kites.”
Other Italians: Flavio Marx is 22nd, Giuseppe Paolillo 25th, further back Julio and Luis Houze.
WOMEN: KAMPMAN LEADS NOLOT AND MOROZ
In the women’s fleet, Olympic Champion Ellie Aldridge opened with a win, but closed Day-1 in fourth place (14.0), behind Jessie Kampman, Lauriane Nolot, and Daniela Moroz – the last three winners of the Sardinia Grand Slam, in reverse order (2024 to 2022).
From Cagliari to Quartu Sant’Elena, the bond with the Gulf of Angels is unchanged for Kampman, despite a fall in the fourth race: “I was trying to catch up,” explained Kampman, “after crashing in a tack upwind. While recovering I crashed again and at that point I was just too far behind to come back.”
No big deal for Jessie, who ended the day with two wins and a second place (4.0), reviving the great vibes of her 2024 Sardinia Grand Slam victory. “It’s nice to come to a warm, sunny place with a big beach – it’s really a beautiful venue for racing.” Behind Kampman is defending champion Nolot (9.0), with three third places, and a fast-improving Moroz (11.0): no coincidence, the American won her world title right here three years ago.
ORGANIZATION Organized by GLEsport with the technical-sporting collaboration of Chia Wind Club, the Sardinia Grand Slam is held under the aegis of World Sailing (the International Sailing Federation) and IKA (the International Kiteboarding Association), as well as FIV – the Italian Sailing Federation. The event is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Crafts, and Commerce, with the contribution and patronage of the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena. The Sardinia Grand Slam partners are Playcar and USE.
SPORT AND ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION
In the morning, Poetto beach welcomed the students of Porcu Satta Institute of Quartu Sant’Elena, the only comprehensive school in Sardinia with a sports curriculum. “Our kids can experience the Kite Foil Worlds up close, see the athletes who are writing the history of this sport and who already made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics. We believe this is a great opportunity for them,” commented Ignazio Mulas, retired teacher and president of ASD Movimento e Salute, which collaborates with the Porcu-Satta school. “We gladly accepted the invitation from the Municipality of Quartu, and we thank the Sports Councillor Cinzia Carta and the Sardinia Grand Slam organizer, Gian Domenico Nieddu.”
The students also took part in a beach clean-up activity together with the civic environmental association Oikos. “Today we are here with the Porcu-Satta students of Quartu and we are happy to take part in this major sporting event,” said Michele Randaccio, president of Oikos. “Why are we here? Because all surfers love the sea – it’s their gym – and it should always be kept clean,” added vice president Zaira Pitzalis.
TOMORROW’S PROGRAM
On Wednesday, October 1st, the mistral breeze is expected to arrive. Though light, it promises great spectacle, with the Olympic-class kites coloring the waters off Quartu Sant’Elena. Based on tomorrow’s weather forecast, the exact start time will be decided in the coming hours, but not before 12 noon.
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