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.
Sa Dom’e Farra home museum hosted Sardinia Grand Slam opening ceremony Babini (IKA): “A true spectacle with the world’s best gearing up for LA 2028 Olympic campaign.” Qualifying Series start Tuesday, September 30th
The global spotlight turns to the Gulf of Angels as 97 athletes from 29 countries and 5 continents prepare to battle it out in the Formula Kite World Championships, officially opened today at the historic Sa Dom’e Farra home museum, marking the ninth edition of the Sardinia Grand Slam.
“This will be a week of high-level competition, with the best riders in the world preparing for the intense road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,” said Mirko Babini, President of the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), during the opening ceremony held Monday, September 29th. Racing begins Tuesday, September 30th, and will culminate on Sunday, October 5 with the Medal Series — quarterfinals, semifinals, and the Grand Final.
For the first time, Quartu Sant’Elena will host the spectacular kitefoil regattas, offering spectators the chance to witness riders speeding across the water with their vibrant sails. “It’ll be a show not to miss,” Babini added.
Though the Sardinia Grand Slam has moved from Cagliari to Quartu Sant’Elena, the competition remains in the iconic waters of the Gulf of Angels, with event logistics based at Blue Sky beach club along Poetto Beach.
Gian Domenico Nieddu, President of the organizing committee, expressed enthusiasm for the new venue: “We’re thrilled about this new challenge. Athletes have already shown appreciation for the favorable conditions. A special thanks to the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena for embracing this opportunity with us.”
Representing the host city, Cinzia Carta, Councillor for Sports, highlighted the event’s broad community impact: “We’re confident this championship will leave a positive legacy in our city, promoting the values of sport and inclusion. The event involves not just hospitality and local businesses, but also our schools — especially the Porcu-Satta Institute.”
The championship is organized by GLEsport, with technical support from Chia Wind Club, under the auspices of World Sailing, the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), and the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV).
Event Schedule: Qualifying Series Start Tomorrow at 1:30 PM
After today’s practice race, the Qualifying Series kick off on Tuesday, September 30 at 1:30 PM. Daily racing will continue through Sunday, October 5th, when the Medal Series will determine the new world champions.
Favorable winds forecast for the week
Weather conditions look promising for the week ahead. Light breezes of just over 10 knots are expected on opening day, followed by a mild Mistral wind from Wednesday through Saturday — ideal conditions for kitefoiling.
Local schools and environmental action involved
Today’s presentation saw the participation of students from Istituto Comprensivo Porcu Satta, Sardinia’s first sports-oriented public school. Ten classes, totaling 220 students, are involved, with 40 third-year students (classes C, E, and F) directly taking part in activities at the championship village.
On Tuesday, September 30th, these students will also join a beach clean-up initiative in collaboration with Oikos, a local civic association, promoting environmental awareness alongside world-class sport.
Next September 28th to October 5th, the Poetto beach will host the event that crowns the new World Champions. Among the top contenders: Maeder, Vodišek, and Pianosi in the men’s fleet; Nolot, Aldridge, and Kampman among women
The city of Quartu Sant’Elena (Cagliari, Sardinia) is ready to host the 9th edition of the Sardinia Grand Slam – Formula Kite World Championships, featuring the high-speed foil boards that made their Olympic debut at the Paris Games, next September 28th to October 5th. It’s the event that crowns the World Champions of the Olympic kiteboarding discipline. It’s the first major milestone on the road to the Los Angeles Games. And it’s a celebration of the enduring bond between kiteboarding and the Gulf of Cagliari, where the sport’s Olympic journey first took flight.
The 9th Sardinia Grand Slam was officially presented on Tuesday, September 23rd, in Cagliari, during a press conference hosted by the Department of Tourism, Commerce and Handicrafts of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia.
From Cagliari to Quartu Sant’Elena, Poetto beach once again proves to be a prestigious and beloved venue for top kiteboarding events. Organized by GLEsport with the technical-sporting collaboration of Chia Wind Club, the competition will be held under the aegis of World Sailing, the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), and the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). The event headquarters will be set up near the Blue Sky beach club along the Poetto shoreline.
During the press conference, organizing committee president Gian Domenico Nieddu and IKA President Mirco Babini presented the event alongside Regional Assessor of Tourism Franco Cuccureddu, Quartu Sant’Elena Deputy Mayor Tore Sanna, and City Sports Councillor Cinzia Carta.
MAEDER AND NOLOT DEFEND THEIR TITLES – ALDRIDGE, THE OLYMPIC CHAMPION, JOINS THE LINE-UP
Defending their World Championship titles will be Singapore’s Maximilian Maeder and France’s Lauriane Nolot. Maeder, the Olympic bronze medalist, will face fierce competition from Slovenia’s Toni Vodišek, silver medalist at Paris 2024 and former World Champion in Cagliari three years ago. Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi, 2024 European Champion in Urla, Turkey, is also among the frontrunners.
France will be well represented with former Grand Slam champions Axel Mazella, Théo de Ramecourt, and Benoit Gomez, while up-and-comers such as Gian Andrea Stragiotti (U21 World Champion) and Cameron Maramenides are expected to make waves. Unfortunately, reigning Olympic champion Valentin Bontus will miss the event due to injury.
On the women’s side, in addition to Nolot – a frequent victor in the winds of the Gulf of Angels – all eyes are on Britain’s Ellie Aldridge, the first ever crowned Olympic champion. This rematch of Paris 2024, where Nolot claimed silver, will be a highlight of the event. Also competing are 2023 Sardinia Grand Slam winner Jessie Kampman, Argentina’s U21 World Champion Maria Catalina Turienzo, European Youth Champion Derin Atakan, European Championship finalists Lily Young (UK) and Lysa Caval (France), and Spanish legend Gisela Pulido, the former kiteboarding prodigy.
FORMAT: MEDAL SERIES SET ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH
Following athlete check-in, registration, and free practice sessions, the competition officially begins on Tuesday, September 30th, with the first day of Open Series races. Riders will then be split into Gold and Silver Fleets, leading up to the Medal Series finals on Sunday, October 5th, where the 2025 Formula Kite World Champions will be crowned.
LIVE STREAMING
On Saturday, October 4th, and Sunday, October 5th, the Formula Kite World Championships will be streamed live on the event’s official Facebook and YouTube channels, as well as those of the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA). Racing is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM local time, weather permitting. Global viewers will be able to follow the action via live coverage, highlights, and daily recaps posted across digital platforms.
QUOTES FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE
Gian Domenico Nieddu (President, Organizing Committee): “We’re ready and excited for this major test, which for the Sardinia Grand Slam proudly coincides with hosting the World Championships in the Olympic kiteboarding discipline. I want to thank the Region of Sardinia’s Department of Tourism for supporting the event, the IKA for entrusting us once again with the Worlds, the Italian Sailing Federation, and the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena, which enthusiastically took up the baton from Cagliari as host city — not just this year, but also for years to come.”
Mirco Babini (President, International Kiteboarding Association): “Cagliari and its surroundings continue to be a global hub for kiteboarding. These waters hold a special place in the heart of the entire kiteboarding community, with many athletes having trained here for over a month. For the first time, the racecourse will be on the Quartu Sant’Elena side of Poetto, reflecting the growth and outreach of our sport. Sardinia is always ready to welcome international events that showcase the island and its sea in such a positive light.”
Franco Cuccureddu (Regional Councillor for Tourism, Commerce and Handicrafts): “Sardinia is once again a benchmark for world-class sporting events that attract World and Olympic Champions. Hosting the Formula Kite World Championships at Poetto beach confirms not only our appeal to international federations, but also our organizational excellence in staging top-tier global competitions. We wish fair winds to all the athletes taking part.”
Tore Sanna (Deputy Mayor, Quartu Sant’Elena): “The Formula Kite Worlds are a tremendous opportunity for our city and the entire region. We are proud to host such a prestigious sporting event — an international showcase for Quartu, which is ideally suited to becoming a ‘City of Sport’ thanks to its strategic location, stunning coastline, and a gulf perfectly suited to wind and sea sports. The Poetto is already buzzing with activity, with race setup underway and training sessions beginning on our natural arena for sport and spectacle.”
Cinzia Carta (Councillor for Sport and Education, Quartu Sant’Elena): “We are confident this event will leave a positive mark on our community, promoting the values of sport and inclusion. Over 130 athletes have already arrived in the city, accompanied by coaches, families, and organizers. The impact will be felt throughout the city: in hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, as well as in schools. In particular, the Porcu-Satta School – with its sports-focused curriculum – will play an active role, from the opening ceremony to daily interactions with athletes. For the students, this will be a unique experience, both educational and deeply human.”
Bruno Perra (President Italian Italian Olympic Committee – Sardinia) “I am particularly happy because I know very well how important it is for our island to host events of this kind. We are talking about an Olympic discipline that brings together the world’s top athletes and looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028. All the ingredients are here for this event to be confirmed as one of the most remarkable in Sardinia. I would like to thank Regional Councillor Cuccureddu and his team for their great teamwork. We strive to collaborate in identifying the most significant events, both from a sporting and cultural perspective — our goal is to grow through collective effort. My thanks also go to Mirco Babini, who believed from the very beginning that Sardinia could host events of this calibre and convinced the International Federation to recognize Sardinia as one of the key hubs for kiteboarding.”
New venue announced for the 9th Sardinia Grand Slam, sailing event scheduled next September 28th to October 5th: the ninth edition will crown queens and kings of the foil that made its five-circle debut in Paris Games
A different beach, but the same sea—and the same adrenaline-fueled spectacle of sails, wind, and speed. That “V Factor” (for Vento, or wind) that each year, between September and October, brings the world’s top kiteboarding athletes to Sardinia.
This is the Sardinia Grand Slam, now returning for its ninth edition, set to take place in Quartu Sant’Elena (Cagliari) from September 28th to October 5th. On the line: the 2025 Formula Kite World Championship titles, for the Olympic foil that debuted last year at the Paris Games. 180 athletes from five continents are expected to compete.
This marks a moment of international spotlight for the town of Quartu Sant’Elena and its stunning coastline. The event’s headquarters will be set up on the stretch of beach of the Blue Sky beach club.
The Sardinia Grand Slam is organized by GLEsport in collaboration with Chia Wind Club, under the technical-sporting direction of the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) and the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV).
«The Kite World Championship is truly an international showcase and an opportunity to bring many top-level athletes to Quartu and to make our city known in their respective countries. After all, the competition venue itself – the Poetto of Quartu – where sea and lagoon meet, with the Molentargius Park as a backdrop and the mountains in the distance, is like a postcard offering breathtaking views. The presence of so many leading figures from the global scene will in itself be a boost for our local businesses, and will also serve as an attraction for enthusiasts, who may choose to come and discover our cultural and natural beauty, either during the event or in the near future» comments Graziano Milia, mayor of Quartu Sant’Elena.
Among the top names expected are the reigning world champions: Maximilian Maeder from Singapore and Lauriane Nolot from France, Men’s bronze medal and Women’s silver medal at Paris 2024 respectively. Their main contenders will be the Olympic king Valentin Bontus and queen Elly Aldridge respectively, who took win last year in Marseille’s waters. Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi is also one to watch: he claimed the European Formula Kite title in Urla, Turkey, in May and followed up with the Youth European Championship win just weeks later in Gizzeria, Calabria—where he took revenge on Maeder after a fierce battle in the Medal Series in the Gulf of Izmir earlier this spring.
Also in strong form at the European Championships: Greece’s Cameron Maramenides. Fellow Italian Lorenzo Boschetti is looking for redemption on a course he knows well—he’s no stranger to the winds of the Gulf of Angels. Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti and Argentina’s Maria Catalina Turienzo, current U21 titleholders will take in without any fear of the big guns. In the women’s field, keep an eye on Youth European Champion Derin Atakan, as well as European finalists Lily Young (UK) and Lysa Caval (France).
National teams from around the world will arrive in Quartu Sant’Elena two weeks ahead of the event to train on what is considered one of the most prestigious and technically respected regatta fields worldwide.
The race village will open on September 28th with the athletes registration. Equipment checks are scheduled for the following day, and the official Opening Ceremony will take place at 7:30 PM. Racing begins Tuesday, September 30th, with the first start scheduled for 11:00 AM—weather permitting. The final races are set for Sunday, October 5th, starting at 10:00 AM, followed by the awards and Closing Ceremony at 6:00 PM.
The event is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Handicrafts and Commerce, and supported by the Municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena.
Quartu Sant’Elena (Cagliari), 9 agosto 2025
Photos: 1) Speed and adrenaline cutting through the sea: the eighth edition of the Sardinia Trail will take place in Quartu Sant’Elena (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 2) A show of sails and waves in the Gulf of Angels (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 3) From left, Martin Dolenc and Riccardo Pianosi side by side at the Sardinia Grand Slam 2024 (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 4) Lauriane Nolot and Max Maeder, reigning world champions (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 5) Italian Lorenzo Boschetti, feeling home in Cagliari (Credits: IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 6) The location of next Sardinia Grand Slam (Credits: Sardinia Grand Slam); 7) Mari Pintau beach in Quartu Sant’Elena (Credits: Sardinia Grand Slam). Free usage granted with credits.
After topping the round 1 in Austria, both the Singaporian and the French gave encore at Sardinia Grand Slam
Maximilian Maeder and Jessie Kampman are the 2024 KiteFoil World Champions. They claimed the title by securing victory at the Sardinia Grand Slam, the second and final event of the IKA KiteFoil World Series in Cagliari, on Saturday, October 5th. Axel Mazella and Gian Stragiotti completed the men’s podium at the Sardinia Grand Slam, while Elena Lengwiler and Italy’s Maggie Eillen Pescetto finished second and third in the Women’s competition. Martin Dolenc was runner-up ahead of Stragiotti in World Series Men’s final classification, whilst Gal Zukerman placed third among Women behind Kampman and Lengwiler.
THE FINAL DAY: MISTRAL, FUN, AND ADRENALINE
The weather and sea conditions in the Gulf of Angels were perfect in the Medal Series’ day. The gusty Mistral wind cleared the sky of clouds. For the athletes, it wasn’t easy to choose the right part of the race course: they had to quickly decide whether to play it safe on the left or head to the right, where there was more wind. The wind exceeded 15 knots, and some athletes used sails up to 11 square meters. Spectators on Poetto Beach were lucky to witness the final stages up close, with a racecourse very close to the shore and speeds well above 35 knots, providing plenty of fun and adrenaline.
“2024 has been an incredible year,” commented Mirco Babini, president of the IKA. “Finishing the Open circuit of the Kite Foil World Series here in Cagliari is an amazing feeling. Cagliari crowns the two world champions of the KFWS, a competition without restrictions, allowing the use of all equipment to go as fast as possible. Cagliari has once again proven to be an excellent racecourse, and I hope this result leads to significant new developments.”
THE MEN’S RACE: MAEDER ON HIS FIRST TRY
In the men’s Grand Final, Maeder was the fastest from the very start, followed by another young talent, Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti. Both were born on the same day, September 12, but a year apart: Maeder in 2006 and Stragiotti in 2007. “Another exciting experience here at Poetto has ended,” said Maeder. “We had excellent conditions, and it was a very tough battle. Congratulations to all the competitors, especially the finalists. Gian Stragiotti was the MVP of the event; he really surprised me, and it was a great fight even in the final race. The final went well for me, and I’m very happy.”
Riccardo Pianosi, the last remaining Italian, was eliminated in the quarter-finals, which were won by Connor Bainbridge ahead of Croatian Martin Dolenc, who had already reached the final in Traunsee during the first World Championship event. Bainbridge went on to finish second in a hard-fought semifinal behind a spectacular Gian Stragiotti during Cagliari’s week. Benoit Gomez, who had started the Sardinia Grand Slam with two wins on the opening day and qualified for the Medal Series in third place, was knocked out.
THE WOMEN’S RACE: KAMPMAN TAKES NO PRISONERS Jessie Kampman also won the 2024 Sardinia Grand Slam Grand Final on her first match point, repeating her victory in Traunsee and clinching the women’s KiteFoil World Championship. “Winning this title was fantastic. It was great racing in these finals,” said the new world champion. “Especially with these weather conditions, I’m happy with the progress made compared to last season,” she concluded, referring to the injury that had forced her to pause.
Italy’s Maggie Eillen Pescetto, an Olympic athlete in Paris 2024, also performed exceptionally well, despite using older-generation equipment. She impressed in the semifinals, finished second behind Kampman in the final race, and placed third overall. “It was an exciting and challenging race because the wind was so gusty out there,” said Pescetto with a smile. “It was part tactics, part luck. I arrived at the windward mark in fourth, on the wrong side, so I decided I had to push to the limit. It’s really satisfying!”
Earlier in the day, Portuguese rider Mafalda Pires Da Lima had been a standout, first winning the Repêchage to qualify for the Medal Series quarter-finals with Karolina Jankowska, then securing a spot in the semifinals by beating Israel’s Maya Ashkenazi (Italy’s Tiana Laporte was eliminated). Pires Da Lima seemed on track for the final but was overtaken by Zukerman for second place in the semifinal.
NIEDDU: “SATISFIED AND PROUD, ALREADY THINKING ABOUT 2025”
“We are satisfied and proud,” said Gian Domenico Nieddu, president of the organizing company GLESport. “We are proud to have hosted the final stage of the IKA KiteFoil World Series, which awarded the world title, and we are already looking ahead to the next edition, where we aim to confirm our technical and organizational excellence. We are grateful to the Sardinia Regional Tourism Department and the Municipality of Cagliari for their support, and we thank all the staff and volunteers on land and at sea for making everything run smoothly.”
MEN’S RANKING 1) Maximilian Maeder SGP 3 points 2) Axel Mazella FRA 1 point 3) Gian Stragiotti SUI
WOMEN’S RANKING 1) Jessie Kampman FRA 3 points 2) Elena Lengwiler SUI 1 point 3) Maggie Eillen Pescetto ITA
KITEFOIL WORLD SERIES’ MEN FINAL RANKING 1) Maximilian Maeder SGP p. 600 2) Martin Dolenc CRO p. 582 3) Gian Stragiotti SUI p. 582
KITEFOIL WORLD SERIES’ WOMEN FINAL RANKING 1) Jessie Kampman FRA p. 600 2) Elena Lengwiler SUI p. 594 3) Gal Zukerman ISR p. 585
Photo: 1) Jessie Kampman and Maximilian Maeder celebrate KiteFoil World Series’ title after winning Sardinia Grand Slam (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 2) The hug between Maeder e Kampman (Credits Alessandro Caglieri); 3) Martin Dolenc, runner-up in IKA KiteFoil World Series’ Men classification Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 4) Max Maeder, master of the Men race (Credits Alessandro Cani); 5) Swiss Gian Stragiotti, in the spotlights at Sardinia Grand Slam (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 6) Smiles are never enough for Jessie Kampman (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 7) Sardinia Grand Slam Women’s Top 10 (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 8) Sardinia Grand Slam Men’s Top 10 (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 9) IKA KiteFoil World Series Men’s podium (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 10) IKA KiteFoil World Series Women’s podium (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk)
The Singaporean player reaches the final with two match points, but the Frenchman proves to be a tough opponent. A tight contest between Kampman and Lengwiler among Women, with Zukerman thIrd ahead of Italian Olympic athlete Pescetto
Six races, five different winners, but at the end of of Day 3 of the Sardinia Grand Slam – IKA KiteFoil World Series’ final stage, on Friday, October 4, the first qualified athletes for the Grand Final were the most expected ones: Max Maeder and Axel Mazella among Men, and Jessie Kampman and Elena Lengwiler among the Women. Thus ended an exciting afternoon of racing, carried by an increasing mistral wind, with the backdrop of a sky that cleared up as the hours passed, after a gray morning. However, everything is still up for grabs because tomorrow, Saturday, October 5, the program will begin with the Golden Ticket Race, which gives everyone the chance to secure an additional spot for the Medal Series.
THE DAY 3: TIGHT COMPETITION AND OUTSTANDING SHOW The day began with unstable winds, forcing the athletes to wait about an hour for the mistral to arrive, which finally cleared the sky. The southwestern cloud front made way for a brilliant sun, with winds around 15 knots, which later increased closer to 20 knots. These conditions led some athletes to start racing with various sail sizes: first the 19, then the 15, and finally, most of the fleet used the 11 for the last races. The wind was very variable, making it difficult to read. “What matters,” commented Mirco Babini, president of IKA, “is the intense competition among all the athletes: among the Top 10, everyone was fighting until the end for the wins.”
FIVE WINNERS IN SIX RACES, TWO EXPECTED FINALISTS Three different winners emerged from the three races held in the early afternoon, contested with 10-15 knots of mistral wind. Maeder regained the overall lead thanks to a victory and a second-place finish, though he finished seventh in the second race after an incident where he damaged a cable. Swiss athlete Gian Stragiotti also performed well, consistently finishing in the top three and winning the second race ahead of Benoit Gomez. Greek competitor Cameron Maramenides claimed victory in the third race of the afternoon, the eighth overall (R8).
After a break, the yellow leader’s jersey of Axel Mazella shone again as he won two consecutive races, tying Maeder for the lead in the overall standings after Race 10. “I prefer tougher racing conditions and smaller sails,” said the Frenchman, “and I love speed, especially downwind. The weather forecast for tomorrow looks great, and I hope the wind conditions I prefer come through.”
However, “The Masked Superhero” Maeder reasserted his leadership in the final race (R11), advancing to the Grand Final with two match points. Mazella, a two-time winner of the Sardinia Grand Slam and three-time KiteFoil world champion, has one match point. Maeder is trying to identify the main rivals for the World Cup victory but doesn’t exclude anyone: “It will be an exciting Saturday of racing with the Medal Series. The Top 10 include familiar names; I think I’ll need to watch out for the Frenchmen Mazella and Gomez, but Gian Stragiotti is also putting in strong performances. However, it’s hard to single anyone out. I’ll try to stay focused; it will certainly be fun: enjoy the show!”
The final day will start with the Golden Ticket Race, offering a spot in the Medal Series. The winner will compete in the Repêchage with Cameron Maramenides, Martin Dolenc, and Jannis Maus. Waiting for the top two from this race in the quarterfinals are Connor Bainbridge and Riccardo Pianosi. Benoit Gomez and Gian Stragiotti have already advanced to the semifinals and will face the top two from the quarterfinals. The same goes for the Grand Final, where Maeder and Mazella have already secured their spots.
LENGWILER COMEBACKS AND MAKES THE FINAL WITH KAMPMAN In the women’s division, Swiss athlete Elena Lengwiler made a comeback to reach the final, temporarily dethroning Jessie Kampman. However, in the latter part of the afternoon, the Frenchwoman reclaimed the lead, even without shining. Israeli Gal Zukerman slipped to third place, followed by Italian Olympian Maggie Pescetto, who finished second in Race 10. Both earned spots in the semifinals.
“It was a very intense day. We started with larger kites, the 15s,” Pescetto explained, “but I switched to the 9, the smallest. I love strong winds, as they give more room for those using older equipment like me in a context where most of us are trying to figure out the new sails and foils. It’s a bit harder for me to compete, and it’s frustrating not to reach the same speeds as the others,” the Italian concluded, “but I’m here to have fun, and as usual, the atmosphere is great.”
MEDAL SERIES (AND MORE) IN LIVE STREAMING On Saturday, October 5th, also the final stage of the IKA KiteFoil World Series will be live-streamed on the event’s and IKA’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. The event will reach over 150 countries worldwide, with dedicated coverage and special features. Additionally, daily highlights will be available on Facebook and YouTube.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 SCHEDULE (subject to updates) 10:00 AM: Village opens with SUP, sit’n’kite, and archery activities. 12:00 PM: Golden Ticket Race 12:30 PM: Medal Series
Photos: 1) Singapore’s Maximilian Maeder enters Grand Final with two match points; 2) Axel Mazella took two wins on the Mistral’s wings on Friday afternoon flying taking the other pass to the final; 3) Strong competition on Gulf of the Angels’ waters; 4) French Jessie Kampman, wearing yellow bib as leader of Women’s ranking; 5) Italian Maggie Eillen Pescetto, fourth among Women; 6) An eye-catching shoot with sea and kites (Credits Robert Hajduk/IKA Media)
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
