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)