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.