FORMULA KITE, EUROPEAN U21 IN TORREGRANDE
RICCARDO PIANOSI TAKES GOLD IN A CLOSE FINAL
U21 WOMEN: THE TOP SPOT GOES TO FRENCH HELOISE PEGOURIE
KITEFOIL MASTER, GOLD FOR TURKEY AND THAILAND
Italy wins gold in Torregrande at the Formula Kite Youth European Championship 2023, with Riccardo Pianosi snatching the top spot from Chinese competitor Qbin Huang (who was not competing for the European title but for the open) in a tightly contested final characterized by high speeds and only two races.
Czech Vojtech Koska claims second place on the podium, while Swiss representative Gian Andrea Stragiotti finishes in third position.
Speaking of the U21 Women’s Formula Kite European Championship, French rider Heloise Pegourie emerges as the winner of the final, having to defend her lead held in the previous days on the waters of the Gulf of Oristano against determined Polish competitors Julia Damasiewicz and Magdalena Woyciechowska. Another French athlete, Chloe Revil, secures fourth place.
The light northwesterly wind that arrived in the early afternoon allowed the organizers to bring the racecourse just a few meters from the shore of Torregrande, allowing spectators to closely admire the thrilling spectacle of high-speed Formula Kite racing.
The Kitefoil Open Masters World Championship title goes to Turkish rider Ejder Ginyol, with silver awarded to Billy Guy-Maupas and bronze to Danish participant James Johnsen. The world champion in the women’s division is Thai athlete Benyapa Jantawan, followed by Czech competitor Monika Zizlavska and French rider Claire Elise Morel.
The over 45 category, Grand Masters, also received awards. James Johnsen, along with Swiss riders Mike Martin and Andrea Messerli, claimed podium positions.
The footage shot in the Gulf of Oristano has started circulating worldwide with an international live broadcast, commentated in English. The highlights will be broadcasted in the coming months on numerous TV channels worldwide, promoting the Oristano coast.
The Oristano event is one of the last for the athletes before the start of the first Olympic qualification, which will take place in August in the Gulf of Marseille, the location for the 2024 Olympic regattas. In fact, Kiteboarding will make its first appearance at the Olympic Games in one year, during Paris 2024.
“I am very satisfied; everything went smoothly, and the weather was on our side. I want to thank the entire team on the water and on land. Starting tomorrow, we will be working on the 2024 edition,” assures Eddy Piana, the event organizer. “Our aim is to reach higher and bring the best major water sports events to Torregrande.”
“The top athletes once again had the opportunity to compete in important races in the Gulf of Oristano,” says Sergio Cantagalli, sports director. “There was a high level of technical expertise, great performances, and professionalism, which is what we witnessed during this global and European week in Oristano.”
“I want to express my utmost satisfaction for this extraordinary event,” says Sebastiano Cau, President of ASD Eolo Beach Sports. “A huge thanks to the organization, the on-water staff, who, with the support of the Police and the Harbor Master’s Office, ensured the events took place in extreme safety. I thank the ground staff and the team that consistently works for the success of two major international events in our homeland. Congratulations to our fellow citizen and friend Maddalena Spanu, the only Sardinian competitor, for representing the city of Oristano so well.”
“Now, the focus shifts to the Beach Tennis Internationals organized and hosted by Eolo from August 3rd to 6th, 2023,” announces Sebastiano Cau.
“Once again, Torregrande has proven to be the right choice for this type of event,” comments Mirco Babini, President of IKA and CKWI. “Impeccable organization, thanks in particular to the support of both public and private institutions, as well as the Italian Sailing Federation. It’s an excellent result for the European title, which went to one of our top athletes, and the national youth team performed admirably. It’s definitely a ‘see you later.'”
Photo: Luca Piana 2023©
Ranking: https://www.formulakite.org/
