“The World Championship is the event I’ve been training for all year long. The injury that affected my Europeans did nothing but boost my motivation“. The neck pain is actually just a memory, the mood is great and the feeling with Cagliari’s Gulf of the Angels keeps strengthening year by year: reigning champion Theo de Ramecourt promises to battle until the last meter with all the rivals at the Sardinia Grand Slam – Formula Kite World Championships (Olympic Class) taking place from today, October 11th, to Sunday, October 16th in Cagliari (Italy).
The intensity of the wind rose to 13 knots for the Women’s races, with “her majesty” Daniela Moroz reaffirming her title ambitions (it would be the sixth) with four wins in four races, sharing the overall lead with European champion French Lauriane Nolot. Top 5 of the day for Jessie Kampman, Poema Newland and Katie Dabson.De Ramecourt started the rainbow event by placing third in the first four Qualification Races. The 25-year-old Frenchman stands in 10th position after Day 1. “All the best kiters are racing here and that’s where the level is the highest – says Théo de Ramecourt, winner of the 2021 Formula Kite World Championships -. With the Olympics coming up, we are training to be ready for specific events and the world championship is the event I’ve been training for all year long. I had a really good event last year and I couldn’t wait to race in Cagliari, a place that can be technical and windy. On top of that, the Europeans didn’t go as planned as I hurt my neck and had to stop racing before the event so my motivation level is high.”
Théo makes his forecast about the Worlds: “I predict a really technical and interesting race: at the European Champs everyone was pushing really hard and they will do the same in Cagliari, to win this title“. The Frenchman arrived in Cagliari more than a week ago, feeling at home immediately: “I really love to come here, especially because is off-season and it’s not so crowded, being at the same time warm with wonderful weather and nature. I enjoyed hiking and of course, kiting in this great scenery with perfect conditions. Great people, good food, good vibes: I’m ready“.
2021 Sardinia Grand Slam winner Axel Mazella and European champion Toni Vodisek stole the show in the qualifications Day 1, finishing in the lead in their respective four heats. The fast Maximilian Maeder completed the day with three wins, the same net score (3.0) of Mazella and Vodisek and third in the GC. Croatian Martin Dolenc and US Kai Calder rounded out the Top 5. Lorenzo Boschetti, sixth, is actually the best among the Italians: the crash in the Q1 was promptly redeemed with a fourth and two second spots in the following heats. World ranking leader Riccardo Pianosi stands at 12th. The Men’s batteries were characterized by a sirocco wind at 9/11 knots.
The strength of the wind rose to 13 knots for the women’s races, with “her majesty” Daniela Moroz reaffirming her title ambitions (it would be the sixth) with four wins in four races. European champion French Lauriane Nolot also did very well, with three partial victories and second place overall. Jessie Kampman, Poema Newland e Katie Dabson round-out the Top 5 after Day-1.