The Olympic rematch takes place in Sardinia with the second stage of the Kitefoil World Series next October 1st to 5th. Italian Olympic athletes Pianosi and Pescetto will take in the race, as well as Boschetti, Laporte, Marx and Paolillo
The kiteboarding family is “flying” full sail towards Cagliari. The Sardinian capital will host the Sardinia Grand Slam, the second and decisive round of the IKA Kitefoil World Series, from October 1st to 5th. Now in its eighth edition, this major autumn classic will bring as usual the top international stars of the discipline to the Golfo degli Angeli (Gulf of Angels), including several athletes back from the Olympic debut of kiteboarding at Paris 2024.
The frontrunner for victory is reigning World champion Maximilian Maeder. Winner of the 2023 Sardinia Grand Slam and bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics, Maeder comes from the victories in the IKA KiteFoil World Series opening roung in Traunsee (Austria) and the Asian KiteFoil Championship in Daishan, China. By the way, the rival list is outstanding, starting with the European Formula Kite champion Axel Mazella, a two-time winner of the Sardinia Grand Slam (2019 and 2021), as well as the Italians.
The competitors will include Riccardo Pianosi, European and World vice-champion in Formula Kite and fourth at the Paris Olympics, and Lorenzo Boschetti, who has always had a special connection with the Gulf of Angels. Born in Marche and Emilia-Romagna respectively, both Italian talents live in Cagliari. Croatian Martin Dolenc and Frenchman Benoit Gomez, second and third in Austria, won’t leave no stone unturned to take the 2024 title.
The standout name in the Women field is 24-year-old French rider Jessie Kampman, another familiar face for the Italian kite enthusiasts, given her frequent presence in Cagliari in recent years. Silver medalist at the 2022 Europeans, she has shone this year by winning the French Olympic Week (ahead of Lauriane Nolot and Elly Aldridge) and securing bronze at the Formula Kite World Championships in Hyères, before debuting with a victory in the KiteFoil World Series first round in Traunsee. Another exciting sporting battle is expected with Swiss rider Elena Lengwiler and Israeli athlete Gal Zuckerman, who pushed Kampman hard in Austria. After taking in Paris 2024, Maggie Eillen Pescetto will give her best to climb the World Series ranking as well as Tiana Laporte.
At the sixth stop of Poetto Beach, October 1st will be dedicated to athlete registration and the opening ceremony. Opening Series’ races will take place from October 2nd to 4th, starting at 11 AM, along with the activities at Sardinia Grand Slam village. On Saturday, October 5th, the Medal Race will begin at 10 AM, followed by the award ceremony at 5 PM.
Promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Handicrafts and Commerce, the Sardinia Grand Slam is organized by GLEsport with the technical-sporting collaboration of Chia Wind Club and under the aegis of IKA (International Kiteboarding Association) and the FIV (Italian Sailing Federation), with the support and sponsorship of the Municipality of Cagliari, Departments of Sports and Tourism. Partners of the Sardinia Grand Slam include Playcar and USE.
Photos: 1) Action time at Sardinia Grand Slam 2023; 2) World champion Maximilian Maeder, winner in Cagliari last year; 3) Riccardo Pianosi, Worlds and European championships’ silver medallist, fourt at Paris 2024; 4) Jessie Kampman sailing in Traunsee in KiteFoil World Series’ opener; 5) Maggie Eillen Pescetto (right) in the action in Cagliari in 2023 (Credits Robert Hajduk/IKA Media).