by Press | Sep 26, 2022 | News Eng
Next October 8th to 16th the traditional sailing event in Cagliari will assign the titles of the Formula Kite World Championship, the “Olympic board” expected to debut in Paris 2024. The Golfo degli Angeli’s crystalline waters and the 6th stop of the Poetto, iconic beach of Sardinia‘s capital, will host the event
Over 150 athletes to be involved, 45 countries and 5 continents represented and a great dream to chase for everyone: Formula Kite Olympic class world title. The wind blows strongly in Cagliari‘s Golfo degli Angeli and the Formula Kite World Championships – highlighting the new “Olympic board” set to make its debut at the Paris Games in 2024 – is day by day closer: the “Gulf of Angels” and the Poetto beach in Cagliari will host the event next October 8th to 16th. The Worlds champions will be crowned on the occasion of the Sardinia Grand Slam, an established sailing event organized by GLEsport, selected to host the kitefoiling IKA World Series queen stage last autumn.
Exactly 156 athletes are admitted (94 men and 62 women), coming from 45 countries, 43 in the Men entry list and 28 in the Women’s one. France takes the lion’s share with 15 participants, 9 women and 6 men.
The reigning champion of the 2021 edition, the French Théo de Ramecourt, will be the among the stars of the transalpine expedition, as well as Axel Mazella, another valid candidate for final victory. World Championships’ silver medallist in Oristano, last year, Mazella was already a brilliant protagonist and winner of the Sardinia Grand Slam 2021 in Golfo degli Angeli’s waters. Serious contenders for the top positions are also Cyprus’ Denis Taradin, leader of the KiteFoil World Series, and Slovenian Tony Vodisek. English team has solid chances too, starting with Connor Bainbridge, who celebrated his birthday last year by leading the Sardinia Grand Slam after day1 and who is currently looking for his best shape.
Bronze medallist eleven months ago and leader of the seasonal ranking, Riccardo Pianosi will attract the support of the Italians, as well as Lorenzo Boschetti. Runner-up in the 2022 ranking, German Florian Gruber is another expected protagonist.
Five-time world champion and several times star of the Sardinia Grand Slam, US’ Daniela Moroz will try to hold her rainbow title from the attacks of British Ellie Aldrigge and French Lauriane Nolot, silver and bronze at the 2021 Worlds respectively. All of them will pay attention to Gisela Pulido Borrell, the Spanish leader of the seasonal ranking ahead of Nolot (winner of 2021 Sardinia Grand Slam) and Moroz themselves.
Since yesterday, many of the expected protagonists are taking part to the European Championship in Greece. However, many other athletes are already in Cagliari, starting from the US national team – with the Women’s world champion Moroz – to French and Dutch teams. Every day the Poetto welcomes new sails. By 3 October all the members and their entourages will be in the Sardinian capital, for a total of 6,000 people expected in the hotels in two weeks.
The World Championship is organized by GLEsport with the financial contribution of the Tourism Department of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and the Municipality of Cagliari. The event will be held under the aegis of World Sailing (the International Sailing Federation) and IKA (the International Kiteboarding Federation), in addition to the FIV – Italian Sailing Federation and the CKWI, the Kiteboarding and Wingsport Italia Class and with the collaboration of the Chia Wind Club.
by Press | Feb 24, 2022 | News Eng
From Oristano to Cagliari it’s a short step: Sardinia confirms itself as a queen of the World’s kitesurf by hosting also in 2022, the Formula Kite World Championships. Looking forward to the five-circle debut of the discipline at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the specialists of the new “Olympic board” will fight for another World title in Sardinia, moving their foils to the Golfo degli Angeli‘s waters.
Cagliari, capital of Sardinia, is the designated city to host the World’s top competition, from October 8th to 16th, 2022 in the context of the Sardinia Grand Slam: only a few months ago, the iconic sailing event organized by GLEsport, had proudly hosted the IKA KiteFoil World Series’ main stage.
Frenchman Theo De Ramecourt and US Daniela Moroz will be called to defend the crowns won in 2021.
The World Championships will be organized by the GLE Sport company. “We are very happy our event has been selected to host the Formula Kite World Championship in 2022”, GLEsport President Gian Domenico Nieddu said. “In Sardinia we’ve been among the first to believe in this discipline, actually having a growing success among young people and about to make its debut at the Olympic level. We thank IKA, the International Kiteboarding Federation, and World Sailing, the International Sailing Federation as well as the Italian Sailing Federation for trusting in our organizational framework: we will do everything to fully respect the great expectations placed on our event”.
“Cagliari and the Sardinia Grand Slam are world-class excellences in kiting. We had no doubts about the assignment of the next Formula Kite World Championship to Cagliari, also considering the excellent work done last year in the organization of the IKA World Series. In Cagliari we have everything we need to set up a successful edition on technical, organizational and media perspectives. We are going to host an incredible fleet with all the seats assigned to national teams from all over the world”, IKA President Mirco Babini commented.
Councilor for Tourism, Crafts and Commerce of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia Gianni Chessa also expresses his satisfaction: “Kite has become a strategic sport for the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, for the enhancement of our regional beauties. Cagliari is an ideal location to host a World Championship, because of its huge experience in the world of sailing, and the ideal climatic conditions of the Golfo degli Angeli are perfect for offering a show that lives up to expectations”.
by Press | Oct 10, 2021 | News Eng
IKA KiteFoil World Series’ leader withstood the attack of his rivals in a day marked by light and shifty wind. Lauriane Nolot was the “queen” among Women, U19 Riccardo Pianosi the best-ranked Italian. Cagliari’s Major Paolo Truzzu took in awarding ceremony
Stronger than the tricky wind: there’s no adversary to hold for Axel Mazella, able to keep Sardinia Grand Slam‘s lead and to secure the win of IKA KiteFoil World Series round 3 on Sunday, October 10th.
Despite some imperfect choices and a racing day with shifty and gusty wind, the 23-year-old Frenchman completed the race with 30 points, preceding countryman Theo De Ramecourt (42 p.) and Brit Connor Bainbridge (47). Hundreds of spectators crowded the Poetto beach to support the protagonists of the event, organized by GLESport in collaboration with the Chia Wind Club and with the technical support of the Yacht Club Cagliari, under the aegis of World Sailing and IKA, the International Kiteboarding Association.
Winner of six out of 14 races in the first three days, Axel Mazella opened the Sunday placing sixth in Race 15 (score discarded), then settled for fifth and 20th (discarded) to secure the overall success. “Today I haven’t taken the right decisions with my strategy. I knew I had some points ahead of the other competitors and I took it easier. I’m really unhappy about the last race because the wind was really tricky and coming from everywhere. Anyway, now it’s time to celebrate“, Mazella commented.
The final racing day, October 10th, started with a brand new podium, topped by Russian Denis Taradin ahead of French Benoit Gomez and Theo De Ramecourt. The latter was absolutely on fire in Race 16: after a tough battle with Taradin, Theo claimed the win going up to second position overall, ahead of Connor Bainbridge.
After a runner-up spot in Saturday’s last race, Italian U19 Riccardo Pianosi went on collecting good displays, including two third positions in Race 16 and 17 that pushed him up to sixth overall. German Jannis Maus won the final run, ahead of Antigua’s Tiger Tyson. “I’m pretty satisfied with my display, considering that the racing week didn’t start as I wished. I was leading the last race, but I couldn’t stand up to Jannis”, Pianosi said.
Lauriane Nolot (232 points) topped the fully French-speaking podium ahead of Poema Newland (249) and Jessie Kampman (300). “I feel exhausted, I gave my best on every race, it was also good training for the Worlds. I’m super happy to take the first position. With Poema we are pushing each other to the best level: she’s super strong and super fast, but in Cagliari, I made better choices”, Nolot stated.
“Sardinia Grand Slam has really shone this year – the IKA President Mirco Babini commented – recording great success in terms of international participation. Hosting athletes from 19 countries and all continents is more than an arrival point: it’s a valuable transition point that leads us to renew the agreement concerning the international class: I’m personally involved in supporting Cagliari’s event also in the future years. Everyone can see the success of Sardinia Grand Slam: local authorities are really satisfied and the feedback from the competitors was absolutely rewarding. The athletes loved competing here for the weather conditions, hospitality and spaces the Poetto reserved for them”.
“After last year’s stop, Cagliari could welcome the KiteFoil show back, hosting World’s best specialists. We’re very proud of this and we’re satisfied with the high technical level, the media coverage and the institutional support. A special thank you to the Tourism Department of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and the Municipality of Cagliari”, OC President Gian Domenico Nieddu stated. Cagliari’s major Paolo Truzzu took part in the awarding ceremony.
The IKA KiteFoil World Series’ updated ranking will be available in a few hours on the IKA official website (www.kitefoilworldseries.com)
by Press | Oct 9, 2021 | News Eng
The defending champion came closer to the final success of IKA KiteFoil World Series’ round 3, winning two races. Nolot new leader of Women’s ranking. The SGS village hosted special guests like Cagliari’s Councillor Floris, Olympic windsurfer Maggetti and a delegation from Luna Rossa
We still have twenty-four hours to the crowning of Sardinia Grand Slam‘s new king, but Axel Mazella‘s candidacy is stronger and stronger. The defending champion strengthened his lead in IKA KiteFoil World Series‘ round 3 taking place in Cagliari (October 6-10), in view of tomorrow’s final showdown. Mazella claimed the win in two out of four races held today in Golfo degli Angeli’s waters. The fifth one was canceled due to weak wind, under 5 nodes.
“It was a good day. I’m really tired about the races, we did fourteen races in three days, it was really intense from the beginning to the end. The wind was shifty, from the right side to the left side, every race was different. The last race was completely different from the other ones because the wind was really shifty from the right side and it was coming from the headland: we’ve got a no-wind zone just in front of it. Everyone had different tactics. On the second leg, I followed Riccardo Pianosi, then on the last one I decided to go even more on the left side and it was better, for sure, because I overtook him. Now I stay focused until the end to win Sardinia Grand Slam” leader Mazella commented.
Behind the European Champion, Brit Connor Bainbridge went up to second position thanks to regular performances, whilst French Theo De Ramecourt climbed up the overall ranking by winning two regattas and flying to the third position.
“I just wanted to have fun, I was really not concerned about position or ranking, I did my line without caring to anyone else. I really enjoyed the conditions and I made the most out of it. The wind was shifty and you really had to open your eyes, then be reactive and opportunist“, De Ramecourt stated.
Among French and Brit kiters, the Italian prospect Riccardo Pianosi excellently interpreted the racing field, going up to seventh Overall with the icing on the cake: the second spot in Race 14. The Italian champion Lorenzo Boschetti is actually tenth, ahead of countryman Mario Calbucci.
“I perceived some strong wind shifts and I was able to read the wind since the first leg, taking a good advantage on the runner-up. On the third leg, Axel read the wind better than me and won the race, but I can be really happy with my performance” Pianosi said.
There’s a new queen in the Women’s ranking: French Lauriane Nolot overtook her countrywoman Poema Newland, whilst another French athlete, Jessie Kampman, is third in the ranking.
Sardinia Grand Slam’s penultimate day was made even more special by the presence of special guests like Andrea Floris, Councillor for Sports at Municipality of Cagliari; Olympic windsurfer Marta Maggetti, fourth-placed at the Tokyo Games; a delegation from the Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, runner-up at America’s Cup.
Three further races are scheduled in Cagliari tomorrow, Sunday, October 10th: the fight for 2021 Sardinia Grand Slam’s title is on the final straight.
by Press | Oct 8, 2021 | News Eng
The French champion takes the Overall lead after the day 2 of IKA KiteFoil World Series’ round 3 in Cagliari (Italy). Russian Taradin also did a good job, going up to the second position ahead of yesterday’s leader Bainbridge. Calbucci (8th) is the best Italian, Newland “queen” among Women
After “warming-up” in the opening day, Axel Mazella showed all his pure talent in Golfo degli Angeli‘s waters on Friday, October 8th. The Frenchman dominated the second racing day, going up to take the overall lead at Sardinia Grand Slam, IKA KiteFoil World Series‘ round 3, taking place in Cagliari, Italy (October 6-10).
Winner of Sardinia Grand Slam in 2019, Mazella claimed wins in three out of five regattas. Behind the World Series’ leader, Russian Denis Taradin climbed the ranking after the demanding opening day, whilst Brit Connor Bainbridge went down to third position overall, after topping the Sardinia Grand Slam’s Day 1.
In Golfo degli Angeli’s waters, the wind breeze came up a little bit late, but then the race was spectacular. Third-placed in the opening race, Axel Mazella took advantage of his favorite wind conditions (13-17 nodes) to win seventh and eighth runs with a large advantage on his closest rivals, going up to Overall ranking first position. The KiteFoil World Series’ leader acted then a thrilling head-to-head with Russia’s Denis Taradin in the last two races of the day, ended with a victory each.
“After the first race, I decided to go first on the right side of the course and it paid a lot. Race after race I did the same thing, with great results, and the other guys tried to act the same tactics. The last races were really tight with Taradin” Mazella commented.
Russia’s Denis Taradin gave life to a real crescendo, climbing position race by race, from the fourth one in Race 6 up to his first success in KiteFoil World Series’ round 3, in Race 9. A further runner-up spot put him in Overall ranking’s second position.
Connor Bainbridge’s day 2 started with a ninth position before going back to usual performances, awarded by a runner-up spot and a continuous presence in the Top 5.
Italy’s Lorenzo Boschetti took an astonishing third position in Race 9, ahead of his countryman Riccardo Pianosi. Eight overall, Mario Calbucci is the best-ranked Italian athlete in Sardinia Grand Slam’s ranking after Day 2. “I knew I could be strong in this wind conditions, even if I couldn’t predict to take the third spot. I’ve also taken the provisional lead in Race 10, before making some mistakes. Anyway, I had a good feeling and I’m pretty happy to compete with World’s greatest champions”, commented Boschetti.
French Poema Newland re-affirmed leader among Women after the second racing day, ahead of countrywomen Lauriane Nolot and Jessie Kampman.
“I felt really good today, with 15 nodes it was good racing. For me, it was a tactical, funny and interesting race because the wind was shifting a lot. A message for Poema? We are close and I’m pushing hard” said Lauriane Nolot, overall runner-up but strongest performer among Women in Day 2.
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 9th, the penultimate racing day at the Poetto will start at 12:00 am. A delegation from Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, runner-up in the latest America’s Cup, will be the special guest of the day. The event will be broadcasted in live streaming on IKA and Sardinia Grand Slam’s Facebook platforms.
by Press | Oct 7, 2021 | News Eng
The British celebrated as best he couldn’t, topping the classification after the Day1 of KiteFoil World Series’ round 3 in Cagliari. Bainbridge preceded French De Ramecourt, Mazella and Gomez. Poema Newland leader of the Women classification
Connor Bainbridge is too strong for French rivals in the Sardinia Grand Slam opener. That’s what the opening day of IKA KiteFoil World Series‘ round 3 in Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy) clearly said in the dramatic and highly winded scenery of Golfo degli Angeli. However, the exciting battle will still be long and all the top riders can’t wait for playing their cards again in Day-2.
Winner of two out of the five scheduled races, Bainbridge – turning 28 today, Friday, October 7th – left behind him the strong French rivals, wrapping a dream-like debut at the Poetto beach in Sardinia’s capital city. Three Frenchmen placed from second to the fourth position: the defending champion Axel Mazella, Theo De Ramecourt and Benoit Gomez, winner of the fifth, fourth and second race respectively.
The racing day at the Poetto was marked by strong wind conditions that made the races really demanding for all the competitors. Bainbridge was particularly able to tame the tough conditions, clinching the victories and placing second, third and fifth in the other three regattas.
“I’m super happy with how I did, with only one mistake in the race fourth. I’ve never particularly been strong in high winds, but actually, I’m pushing hard and all the training I did is paying off. I think in the rest of the week there will be completely different conditions, I’ll do my best and we’ll see where we end up” Bainbridge commented.
Runner-up Mazella didn’t lose his high motivation: “It was hard to find a good wind, because it was shifty and super gusty. It will be a great battle until Sunday and I think me and the other guys are all at the same point to win“.
“It was really tough, the wind was really bumpy and gusty. It was really funny, ’cause everybody is in a good mood, we had a lot of fun with the top guys” third-placed Theo De Ramecourt said.
Russian Denis Taradin was fifth in the opening day, ahead of German Florian Gruber and the best-ranked Italian Marco Calbucci, protagonist of a consistent race. German Maus, Mauritius’ De Falbaire and Croatian Dolenc rounded out the Top 10.
France is the queen also in the Women’s ranking, thanks to one of the most awaited athletes, Poema Newland. winner of Day-1 ahead of her countrywomen Jessie Kampman e Lauriane Nolot.
“I took the first two starts thirty seconds or maybe one minute after everyone. After that, I just tried to finish without crashes because the race was really strong and challenging. Anyway, I love this place and I’m enjoying every race”, Poema Newland stated.
Tomorrow, Friday, October 8th, the second racing day at the Poetto will start at 12:00 am. The event will be broadcasted in live streaming on IKA and Sardinia Grand Slam’s Facebook platforms.
