KiteFoil World Series Italy – Preview: KiteFoil competitors excited for a return to Poetto Beach
by International Kiteboarding Association 1 Oct 10:48 PDT
2-5 October 2024
The clear waters off Sardinia are set to host the kitefoilers © IKA Media / Robert Hajduk
The fastest kiteboarding athletes in the world are eager to return to one of their favorite locations, Cagliari, for four days of competition at the KiteFoil World Series Sardinia.
The beautiful Poetto Beach, located close to Sardinia’s capital, hosted the Formula Kite World Championships two years ago, where Daniela Moroz (USA) secured her sixth world title and Toni Vodisek (SLO) claimed the men’s championship in a tight match with close friend and rival Max Maeder (SGP).
Last year at KiteFoil World Series Sardinia 2023, Maeder won the men’s title, while Lauriane Nolot from France topped the women’s leaderboard. With just over six weeks past since the Olympic Games concluded, the question remains who will assert their dominance in the new four-year cycle leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Games?
While Valentin Bontus (AUT) shone on the final day of the Paris 2024 Games to win gold for Austria, at KiteFoil World Series Austria just weeks ago, it was Singapore’s Olympic bronze medallist Maeder who exploded onto the scene to secure the top spot, outperforming his consistent training partner, Croatia’s Martin Dolenc.
In Nolot’s absence, due to a leg injury suffered shortly after her Olympic silver in a trampolining accident, French competitor Jessie Kampman claimed the women’s title at Lake Traunsee, ahead of Switzerland’s Olympic competitor Elena Lengwiler.
Austria provided a first chance for many participants to compete with the newly approved equipment, which is race-legal for the next four years of Formula Kite events.
While Flysurfer has dominated the previous seasons leading to Paris 2024 and is looking competitive again with its latest kite generation, Element’s bronze finish in both men’s and women’s categories in Austria suggests strong competition ahead.
Israel’s Gal Zukerman and France’s Benoit Gomez will be eager to match or exceed their previous performances to occupy even higher podium positions.
After narrowly missing out on the men’s podium, Riccardo Pianosi (ITA) and the robust Italian team will be determined to perform well on familiar training waters.
Cagliari also serves as the home base for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the Italian team progressing with its silver foiling AC75 in preparation for another contest against New Zealand in the upcoming America’s Cup. Foiling enthusiasm is soaring in the southern Sardinian city.
In addition to advancements in kite technology, developments from Austria indicate that leading foil designers, Chubanga and Levitaz, have made significant improvements in their latest mast and foil designs.
The goal is to achieve easier handling while maintaining high speeds, with riders noting that the new foils require little adjustment, feeling intuitive from the start.
Racing will occur from 2 to 5 October. The final day will feature a streamlined medal series, based on a new format. The Repechage, Quarter-Final, and Semi-Final heats will each consist of a single race, preceded by the ‘Golden Ticket’ long-distance race, which offers any remaining competitor a last chance to win the overall event.
Regular media updates will be provided throughout the competition, and the final two days of racing will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
