The edge-of-the-seat drama of the finals came after 138 athletes—89 men and 49 women from 34 countries and six continents—lined up to fight for the IKA world titles after a two-year break because of the pandemic. It is the biggest kitefoil fleet assembled, courtesy of burgeoning worldwide interest because of the Olympics.
The two rounds of the men’s and women’s semi-finals, with six athletes in each heat, got underway in 7-8kts of intensely shifty breeze blowing over flat waters, sparking awesomely-fast racing by the competitors on their biggest 19m and 21m kites.
Daniela Moroz (US) closed out a remarkable five titles in a row at the Formula Kite World Championships on the Italian island of Sardinia, coming from behind in the finals shootout on the sparkling Gulf of Oristano, to seize the coveted crown.
Théo de Ramecourt entered the medal race final in pole position, after a second attempt in utterly engrossing competition to secure the bullet that gave him the first world title he craved.
“I’m just super-happy,” Théo said.
“It was intense in the final, but I tried to take it step-by-step and just do my best. It feels so great. Really, really happy. It makes a big difference because the Olympics are getting closer.”
“I’m really happy to make it five,” said Daniela.
“It feels really surreal and I haven’t processed it yet. I’m still kind of absorbing it and enjoying it. It was a really tough week in all of the conditions. Then, in the end it all comes down to the last race. I was definitely a bit nervous this morning, but we got through it.”
“The final was pretty intense,” said Mazella.
“I managed to win the first race just at the end. The second, I tried a port-tack start and it didn’t work out. But in the end I’m still super-happy about my consistency. I’m also really happy for my mate, Théo de Ramecourt.”
In the men’s semi-finals, Italy’s remarkable 16-year-old Riccardo Pianosi squeezed out more experienced opposition, like Britain’s Connor Bainbridge and Germany’s Florian Gruber, to take two bullets that ensured he moved forward to the final.
The phenomenon of the 2021 Worlds, Pianosi, was still trying to process his third step on the podium after beating some of the world’s best.
“This is my first world championship and I can’t quite believe it,” said Riccardo.
“The emotions are just so strong. When I got the two bullets in the semi-finals it was an incredible feeling. But I knew in the final it would be tough. Théo de Ramecourt is really, really fast, especially in these conditions.”
Men’s Podium:
- Théo de Ramecourt FRA (VMG)
- Axel Mazella FRA
- Riccardo Pianosi ITA (VMG)
- Benoit Gomez FRA
- Maximilian Maeder SGP (VMG)
- Connor Bainbridge GBR
- Guy Bridge GBR (VMG)
- Florian Gruber GER (VMG)
- Lorenzo Boschetti ITA
- Denis Taradin RUS
Women’s Podium:
- Daniela Moroz USA (VMG)
- Ellie Aldridge GBR
- Lauriane Nolot FRA
- Poema Newland FRA
- Magdalena Woyciechowska POL (VMG)
- Izabela Satrjan POL (VMG)
- Julia Damasiewicz POL
- Nina Arcisz POL
- Alexia Fancelli ITA
- Maddy Anderson GBR
FLYSURFER congrats all racers for an outstanding performance and a thrilling event.
Full rankings: www.formulakite.org/results
Credits: IKA – International Kiteboarding Association | Robert Hajduk