After topping the round 1 in Austria, both the Singaporian and the French gave encore at Sardinia Grand Slam
Maximilian Maeder and Jessie Kampman are the 2024 KiteFoil World Champions. They claimed the title by securing victory at the Sardinia Grand Slam, the second and final event of the IKA KiteFoil World Series in Cagliari, on Saturday, October 5th. Axel Mazella and Gian Stragiotti completed the men’s podium at the Sardinia Grand Slam, while Elena Lengwiler and Italy’s Maggie Eillen Pescetto finished second and third in the Women’s competition. Martin Dolenc was runner-up ahead of Stragiotti in World Series Men’s final classification, whilst Gal Zukerman placed third among Women behind Kampman and Lengwiler.
THE FINAL DAY: MISTRAL, FUN, AND ADRENALINE
The weather and sea conditions in the Gulf of Angels were perfect in the Medal Series’ day. The gusty Mistral wind cleared the sky of clouds. For the athletes, it wasn’t easy to choose the right part of the race course: they had to quickly decide whether to play it safe on the left or head to the right, where there was more wind. The wind exceeded 15 knots, and some athletes used sails up to 11 square meters. Spectators on Poetto Beach were lucky to witness the final stages up close, with a racecourse very close to the shore and speeds well above 35 knots, providing plenty of fun and adrenaline.
“2024 has been an incredible year,” commented Mirco Babini, president of the IKA. “Finishing the Open circuit of the Kite Foil World Series here in Cagliari is an amazing feeling. Cagliari crowns the two world champions of the KFWS, a competition without restrictions, allowing the use of all equipment to go as fast as possible. Cagliari has once again proven to be an excellent racecourse, and I hope this result leads to significant new developments.”
THE MEN’S RACE: MAEDER ON HIS FIRST TRY
In the men’s Grand Final, Maeder was the fastest from the very start, followed by another young talent, Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti. Both were born on the same day, September 12, but a year apart: Maeder in 2006 and Stragiotti in 2007. “Another exciting experience here at Poetto has ended,” said Maeder. “We had excellent conditions, and it was a very tough battle. Congratulations to all the competitors, especially the finalists. Gian Stragiotti was the MVP of the event; he really surprised me, and it was a great fight even in the final race. The final went well for me, and I’m very happy.”
Riccardo Pianosi, the last remaining Italian, was eliminated in the quarter-finals, which were won by Connor Bainbridge ahead of Croatian Martin Dolenc, who had already reached the final in Traunsee during the first World Championship event. Bainbridge went on to finish second in a hard-fought semifinal behind a spectacular Gian Stragiotti during Cagliari’s week. Benoit Gomez, who had started the Sardinia Grand Slam with two wins on the opening day and qualified for the Medal Series in third place, was knocked out.
THE WOMEN’S RACE: KAMPMAN TAKES NO PRISONERS Jessie Kampman also won the 2024 Sardinia Grand Slam Grand Final on her first match point, repeating her victory in Traunsee and clinching the women’s KiteFoil World Championship. “Winning this title was fantastic. It was great racing in these finals,” said the new world champion. “Especially with these weather conditions, I’m happy with the progress made compared to last season,” she concluded, referring to the injury that had forced her to pause.
Italy’s Maggie Eillen Pescetto, an Olympic athlete in Paris 2024, also performed exceptionally well, despite using older-generation equipment. She impressed in the semifinals, finished second behind Kampman in the final race, and placed third overall. “It was an exciting and challenging race because the wind was so gusty out there,” said Pescetto with a smile. “It was part tactics, part luck. I arrived at the windward mark in fourth, on the wrong side, so I decided I had to push to the limit. It’s really satisfying!”
Earlier in the day, Portuguese rider Mafalda Pires Da Lima had been a standout, first winning the Repêchage to qualify for the Medal Series quarter-finals with Karolina Jankowska, then securing a spot in the semifinals by beating Israel’s Maya Ashkenazi (Italy’s Tiana Laporte was eliminated). Pires Da Lima seemed on track for the final but was overtaken by Zukerman for second place in the semifinal.
NIEDDU: “SATISFIED AND PROUD, ALREADY THINKING ABOUT 2025”
“We are satisfied and proud,” said Gian Domenico Nieddu, president of the organizing company GLESport. “We are proud to have hosted the final stage of the IKA KiteFoil World Series, which awarded the world title, and we are already looking ahead to the next edition, where we aim to confirm our technical and organizational excellence. We are grateful to the Sardinia Regional Tourism Department and the Municipality of Cagliari for their support, and we thank all the staff and volunteers on land and at sea for making everything run smoothly.”
MEN’S RANKING 1) Maximilian Maeder SGP 3 points 2) Axel Mazella FRA 1 point 3) Gian Stragiotti SUI
WOMEN’S RANKING 1) Jessie Kampman FRA 3 points 2) Elena Lengwiler SUI 1 point 3) Maggie Eillen Pescetto ITA
KITEFOIL WORLD SERIES’ MEN FINAL RANKING 1) Maximilian Maeder SGP p. 600 2) Martin Dolenc CRO p. 582 3) Gian Stragiotti SUI p. 582
KITEFOIL WORLD SERIES’ WOMEN FINAL RANKING 1) Jessie Kampman FRA p. 600 2) Elena Lengwiler SUI p. 594 3) Gal Zukerman ISR p. 585
Photo: 1) Jessie Kampman and Maximilian Maeder celebrate KiteFoil World Series’ title after winning Sardinia Grand Slam (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 2) The hug between Maeder e Kampman (Credits Alessandro Caglieri); 3) Martin Dolenc, runner-up in IKA KiteFoil World Series’ Men classification Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 4) Max Maeder, master of the Men race (Credits Alessandro Cani); 5) Swiss Gian Stragiotti, in the spotlights at Sardinia Grand Slam (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 6) Smiles are never enough for Jessie Kampman (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 7) Sardinia Grand Slam Women’s Top 10 (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 8) Sardinia Grand Slam Men’s Top 10 (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 9) IKA KiteFoil World Series Men’s podium (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk); 10) IKA KiteFoil World Series Women’s podium (Credits IKA Media / Robert Hajduk)
The Singaporean player reaches the final with two match points, but the Frenchman proves to be a tough opponent. A tight contest between Kampman and Lengwiler among Women, with Zukerman thIrd ahead of Italian Olympic athlete Pescetto
Six races, five different winners, but at the end of of Day 3 of the Sardinia Grand Slam – IKA KiteFoil World Series’ final stage, on Friday, October 4, the first qualified athletes for the Grand Final were the most expected ones: Max Maeder and Axel Mazella among Men, and Jessie Kampman and Elena Lengwiler among the Women. Thus ended an exciting afternoon of racing, carried by an increasing mistral wind, with the backdrop of a sky that cleared up as the hours passed, after a gray morning. However, everything is still up for grabs because tomorrow, Saturday, October 5, the program will begin with the Golden Ticket Race, which gives everyone the chance to secure an additional spot for the Medal Series.
THE DAY 3: TIGHT COMPETITION AND OUTSTANDING SHOW The day began with unstable winds, forcing the athletes to wait about an hour for the mistral to arrive, which finally cleared the sky. The southwestern cloud front made way for a brilliant sun, with winds around 15 knots, which later increased closer to 20 knots. These conditions led some athletes to start racing with various sail sizes: first the 19, then the 15, and finally, most of the fleet used the 11 for the last races. The wind was very variable, making it difficult to read. “What matters,” commented Mirco Babini, president of IKA, “is the intense competition among all the athletes: among the Top 10, everyone was fighting until the end for the wins.”
FIVE WINNERS IN SIX RACES, TWO EXPECTED FINALISTS Three different winners emerged from the three races held in the early afternoon, contested with 10-15 knots of mistral wind. Maeder regained the overall lead thanks to a victory and a second-place finish, though he finished seventh in the second race after an incident where he damaged a cable. Swiss athlete Gian Stragiotti also performed well, consistently finishing in the top three and winning the second race ahead of Benoit Gomez. Greek competitor Cameron Maramenides claimed victory in the third race of the afternoon, the eighth overall (R8).
After a break, the yellow leader’s jersey of Axel Mazella shone again as he won two consecutive races, tying Maeder for the lead in the overall standings after Race 10. “I prefer tougher racing conditions and smaller sails,” said the Frenchman, “and I love speed, especially downwind. The weather forecast for tomorrow looks great, and I hope the wind conditions I prefer come through.”
However, “The Masked Superhero” Maeder reasserted his leadership in the final race (R11), advancing to the Grand Final with two match points. Mazella, a two-time winner of the Sardinia Grand Slam and three-time KiteFoil world champion, has one match point. Maeder is trying to identify the main rivals for the World Cup victory but doesn’t exclude anyone: “It will be an exciting Saturday of racing with the Medal Series. The Top 10 include familiar names; I think I’ll need to watch out for the Frenchmen Mazella and Gomez, but Gian Stragiotti is also putting in strong performances. However, it’s hard to single anyone out. I’ll try to stay focused; it will certainly be fun: enjoy the show!”
The final day will start with the Golden Ticket Race, offering a spot in the Medal Series. The winner will compete in the Repêchage with Cameron Maramenides, Martin Dolenc, and Jannis Maus. Waiting for the top two from this race in the quarterfinals are Connor Bainbridge and Riccardo Pianosi. Benoit Gomez and Gian Stragiotti have already advanced to the semifinals and will face the top two from the quarterfinals. The same goes for the Grand Final, where Maeder and Mazella have already secured their spots.
LENGWILER COMEBACKS AND MAKES THE FINAL WITH KAMPMAN In the women’s division, Swiss athlete Elena Lengwiler made a comeback to reach the final, temporarily dethroning Jessie Kampman. However, in the latter part of the afternoon, the Frenchwoman reclaimed the lead, even without shining. Israeli Gal Zukerman slipped to third place, followed by Italian Olympian Maggie Pescetto, who finished second in Race 10. Both earned spots in the semifinals.
“It was a very intense day. We started with larger kites, the 15s,” Pescetto explained, “but I switched to the 9, the smallest. I love strong winds, as they give more room for those using older equipment like me in a context where most of us are trying to figure out the new sails and foils. It’s a bit harder for me to compete, and it’s frustrating not to reach the same speeds as the others,” the Italian concluded, “but I’m here to have fun, and as usual, the atmosphere is great.”
MEDAL SERIES (AND MORE) IN LIVE STREAMING On Saturday, October 5th, also the final stage of the IKA KiteFoil World Series will be live-streamed on the event’s and IKA’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. The event will reach over 150 countries worldwide, with dedicated coverage and special features. Additionally, daily highlights will be available on Facebook and YouTube.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 SCHEDULE (subject to updates) 10:00 AM: Village opens with SUP, sit’n’kite, and archery activities. 12:00 PM: Golden Ticket Race 12:30 PM: Medal Series
Photos: 1) Singapore’s Maximilian Maeder enters Grand Final with two match points; 2) Axel Mazella took two wins on the Mistral’s wings on Friday afternoon flying taking the other pass to the final; 3) Strong competition on Gulf of the Angels’ waters; 4) French Jessie Kampman, wearing yellow bib as leader of Women’s ranking; 5) Italian Maggie Eillen Pescetto, fourth among Women; 6) An eye-catching shoot with sea and kites (Credits Robert Hajduk/IKA Media)
The second day of the Sardinia Grand Slam, the final event of the IKA KiteFoil World Series, passed in vain as participants waited for the ideal conditions to race. Between chess games and conversations about beaches, food, and city sights, the day was filled with anticipation
The awaited rain arrived, followed by unstable winds with strong gusts over 30 knots, making conditions too dangerous for both athletes and the new equipment being tested in Cagliari. After a packed schedule on the opening day of the Sardinia Grand Slam, Thursday at Poetto Beach turned into a non-racing day, as the weather thwarted any attempt to compete.
Initially, the race committee had scheduled the first start for 3:00 PM, with mixed fleets as in Day 1. However, the early optimism about a return to favorable conditions, despite the rain, quickly dissipated. Winds increased from 10-20 knots to 35, with low clouds settling over the Gulf of Angels.
At 5:10 PM, the official decision was made to cancel the day’s events. Racing will resume tomorrow, October 4th, with the finals scheduled for Saturday, October 5th.
PIZZA, BEACHES, AND WEATHER: CAGLIARI AND SARDINIA THROUGH THE EYES OF KITERS
After the 2:00 PM skippers’ meeting, athletes passed the time in their own ways: playing frisbee, chess (like Max Maeder), on their computers, in the water, or chatting by the beach. Conversations ranged from wind conditions to food and beaches, highlighting the many reasons why kiteboarders enjoy Cagliari, whether they are returning or visiting for the first time.
“I was in Cagliari two years ago for the Formula Kite World Championship,” said Tomas Pires de Lima from Portugal, bib number 37, “and I already appreciated both the city and the beaches in southern Sardinia. I’ve competed here before in the Italian Olympic Classes Championship, and now I’m here for the Sardinia Grand Slam. I arrived a few weeks ago in a van, discovering some truly fascinating places, like Is Solinas and Chia.”
“What I like about Cagliari is that you can race in various conditions,” added Jacobo Espi, bib number 50, “and the temperatures are pleasant, even during a storm. I’m also tempted by the local food specialties, and the city center is truly charming.”
“It’s my first time in Sardinia,” said Leo Collado, bib number 80, “but I was told everything about it, from the great weather to the perfect wind conditions for racing. During these days at Poetto Beach, I was surprised that it’s so warm during the day and cool in the evenings in October. I was also pleasantly surprised by the mistral wind coming from the land, which is ideal for kiting. After a race, we can’t wait to grab a pizza or ice cream at one of the local spots in the city. After the World Series, I’ll spend some time exploring the city, as I’m curious to see the historic center and learn more about Cagliari’s cultural aspects. Poetto Beach is beautiful and livable, and in October it doesn’t feel overcrowded by tourists.”
SUN AND MISTRAL TOMORROW: SIX RACES AND LIVE STREAMING On Friday, October 4th, six races are scheduled, with sunny weather and a pleasant mistral wind forecast. Both Friday and Saturday, October 5th, the final stage of the IKA KiteFoil World Series will be live-streamed on the event’s and IKA’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. The event will reach over 150 countries worldwide, with dedicated coverage and special features. Additionally, daily highlights will be available on Facebook and YouTube.
Both the Frenchman and the Singaporean secured two partial victories each, but Mazella’s consistent performance in both the sea breeze and the mistral wind allowed him to finish the day in first place. Pianosi wins race 5
Consistency pays off, at least in the first day of the Sardinia Grand Slam, the decisive event of the IKA KiteFoil World Series. Frenchman Axel Mazella, a two-time winner of the Poetto international event, returned to the beach with the overall lead, despite not winning any of the races on Wednesday, October 2nd. Behind him, Singapore’s Maximilian Maeder, bronze medalist at Paris 2024, and fellow Frenchman Benoit Gomez, who each won two races. Mixed results for the two Italians, with Riccardo Pianosi finishing on a high note by winning race 5. Among Women, favorite Jessie Kampman lived up to expectations but faced a tough challenge from Israeli rider Gal Zukerman. Olympic athlete Maggie Eillen Pescetto of Italy secured third place.
The wind was unstable in the Gulf of Angels, ranging from 10 to 17 knots: the day began with a sea breeze and hints of mistral, which later shifted to a full-blown mistral wind in the second half. Gomez made his winning move in both the dominated opening race and the third, finishing ahead of Maeder in the first and Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti in the second. Stragiotti also handled the tricky conditions well.
Maeder quickly responded by winning race 2, following a spectacular three-way sprint with Axel Mazella and Martin Dolenc, and took victory again in race 4, once more beating Mazella. In the final race of the day, there was a fierce battle between Riccardo Pianosi, Mazella, and Stragiotti. The Italian, now a Cagliari local, defended his lead at the final mark and crossed the finish line ahead of the Frenchman and the Swiss. Pianosi also secured two fourth-place finishes and ranked fifth overall after the first day.
“I didn’t expect these weather conditions today,” commented Axel Mazella, referring to the fluctuating winds, “but it was fun racing with the guys. Tomorrow, rain is forecast for the morning, but the day is long, and we hope to race in the afternoon.”
Good performances were also seen from Connor Bainbridge and Martin Dolenc, who each secured a second place in the first and second races, respectively. It was a tough day for another “new local,” Lorenzo Boschetti from the Marche region, who remained optimistic: “I made a mistake during the third race, trying not to fall into the water, but I ended up airborne,” said Boschetti (Italian Navy Sports Group). “Meanwhile, Gomez came and crashed into me. Tonight I’ll repair the sail. Despite this, I’m optimistic because I was in the lead, so there are great opportunities for tomorrow.”
In the women’s field, Jessie Kampman and Gal Zukerman each won a race to kick off the afternoon, but the Frenchwoman edged out the Israeli in the next three races. Maggie Eillen Pescetto performed well, finishing second in the first race and third overall. “The first two races were tough due to the sea breeze and the incoming mistral. In the second half, we raced with pure mistral. It was a challenging and exhausting day, competing alongside the men on the same course, but I’m happy with how it went,” said Pescetto.
LIVE STREAMING
Tomorrow, the Day-2 schedule include other five races, even if wheather forecast is not optimal. Friday, October 4th, and Saturday, October 5th, the final stage of the IKA KiteFoil World Series will be broadcast live via streaming on the event’s Facebook and YouTube platforms, as well as IKA’s. The races will start at 11:00 a.m., barring any weather delays. The event will reach over 150 countries worldwide, with dedicated reports and special features. Daily highlights will also be shared on the event’s Facebook and YouTube platforms.
MEN – Ranking after 5 races
1. Axel Mazella FRA – 9p 2. Maximilian Maeder SGP – 10p 3. Benoit Gomez FRA – 12p
WOMEN – Ranking after 5 races
1. Jessie Kampman FRA – 95p 2. Gal Zukerman ISR – 100p 3. Maggie Eillen Pescetto ITA – 107p
Cagliari hosts the second and final stage of the Kitefoil World Series from October 1 to 5. Olympic bronze medalist Maeder and French Kampman stand among the favorites. Back from the Olympics, Pianosi and Pescetto represent Italy as well as Boschetti, Laporte, Marx, Paolillo
From Paris 2024 to Cagliari’s Poetto beach: the big names of kiteboarding return to the waters of the Gulf of Angels for the 8th edition of the Sardinia Grand Slam, the second and decisive stage of the IKA Kitefoil World Series. After kicking off in Traunsee, Max Maeder, Jessie Kampman and their stronghest competitors will battle it out in this autumn classic for the 2024 titles. The event was presented this morning, 1 October, in a press conference at Poetto beach in Cagliari.
Promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia’s Department of Tourism, Crafts, and Commerce, the Sardinia Grand Slam is organized by GLEsport in technical collaboration with Chia Wind Club and under the aegis of the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) and the Italian Sailing Federation, with support and sponsorship from the Municipality of Cagliari, the Departments of Sports and Tourism. Partners of the Sardinia Grand Slam include Playcar and USE.
Sardinia’s Tourism, Crafts, and Commerce Councillor, Franco Cuccureddu, extends his best wishes to the extraordinary athletes who will color Cagliari’s Poetto beach and sky with their kite maneuvers. “Thanks to this event, Sardinia once again confirms itself as the most beloved and welcoming destination for all sailing sports.”
THE FORMAT: MEDAL SERIES ON SUNDAY
After a day dedicated to free practice, athlete registration, and welcoming, the real competition will kick off on Wednesday, October 2nd, with the first of three days of Open Series. The fleet will race through October 4th, with at least five total races. The top competitors in the Gold Fleet after Q3 will qualify directly for the Grand Final, carrying with them 2 and 1 match points, respectively.
On Saturday, October 5th, the day will start with the Golden Ticket Race, where those ranked from 10th to last in the Opening Series will compete for a spot in the Medal Series. The Repechage Race will feature the winners of the Golden Ticket Race and those ranked 7th to 9th in the Opening Series. The top two will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face those ranked 5th and 6th in the Gold Fleet (Q3). The semi-finals will see the 3rd and 4th place from the Opening Series waiting, and the final will feature the top qualifiers and the two fastest semi-finalists. The awards ceremony will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
FAVORITE MAEDER TO WATCH OUT FOR MAZELLA AND THE ITALIANS The standout name on the men’s start list is reigning world champion Maximilian Maeder, winner of the 2023 Sardinia Grand Slam and recent Olympic bronze medalist. He is fresh off victories in the first round of the IKA KiteFoil World Series in Traunsee (Austria) and the Asian KiteFoil Championships in Daishan, China. Among his main rivals are European champion Axel Mazella, who has triumphed twice at the Sardinia Grand Slam, and the Italian athletes. Riccardo Pianosi will be a key contender, having won silver at both the World and European Championships in Formula Kite this year and finishing fourth at the Olympics. Lorenzo Boschetti, who has a special connection to the Gulf of Angels, will also compete. Both Italians live in Cagliari. Other notable competitors include Croatia’s Martin Dolenc and France’s Benoit Gomez, who finished second and third in Austria, as well as Italy’s Flavio Marx and Giuseppe Paolillo.
WOMEN: LENGWILER AND ZUCKERMAN CHALLENGE KAMPMAN In the Women’s field, all eyes are on 24-year-old Jessie Kampman from France, a regular at the Sardinia Grand Slam. Silver medalist at the 2022 European Championships, Kampman has shone this year, winning the French Olympic Week (ahead of Lauriane Nolot and Elly Aldridge) and securing bronze at the Formula Kite World Championships in Hyères. She also claimed victory in the first round of the IKA KiteFoil World Series in Traunsee. She faces tough competition from Switzerland’s Elena Lengwiler and Israel’s Gal Zuckerman, who both challenged Kampman fiercely in Austria. Representing Italy are Maggie Eillen Pescetto, who competed at Paris 2024, and Tiana Laporte, who are both eager to perform well in this home event.
LIVE STREAMING
On Friday, October 4th, and Saturday, October 5th, the final stage of the IKA KiteFoil World Series will be broadcast live via streaming on the event’s Facebook and YouTube platforms, as well as IKA’s. The races will start at 11:00 a.m., barring any weather delays. The event will reach over 150 countries worldwide, with dedicated reports and special features. Daily highlights will also be shared on the event’s Facebook and YouTube platforms.
QUOTES FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE
Giandomenico Nieddu (Organizer) “We are ready and excited for this eighth edition of the Sardinia Grand Slam, the seventh consecutive one here in Cagliari. I would like to thank the Sardinia Region and the Department of Tourism for supporting this event, the IKA for allowing us to host a stage of the World Championship, the Italian Sailing Federation and the Municipality of Cagliari for supporting the event and providing us with the recycling platforms. We hope to continue for many more years, and we can already confirm the 2025 edition.”
Marzia Cilloccu (Department of Tourism, Commerce, and Handicrafts of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia) “We were very eager to be here and bring greetings from the assessor Franco Cuccureddu. We stand alongside sailing sports and this is confirmed by very busy calendar. We thank all the organizers for their commitment. The sea is our main source of tourism, and we are keen to support everyone who works every day to promote events like the Sardinia Grand Slam. For the past ten years, Cagliari has hosted Luna Rossa, as well as other professionals in this field, being the city with the highest number of windy days. Sports-related tourism brings extraordinary visitor numbers and significant economic impact, which has been certified.”
Luisa Giua Marassi (Municipal Councillor for the Environment of Cagliari) “I bring greetings from the mayor and other members of the municipal council. My greetings also come as a citizen who loves and practices sports in many forms. The Poetto beach falls under the jurisdiction of my department, so hosting the Sardinia Grand Slam fills us with particular pride as administrators, athletes and as a city. Cagliari is the epicenter of international sporting events like this, thanks to the Gulf of Angels and its long beach. For us, the connection with sport is crucial, both to enhance the environmental ecosystem and to amplify the potential of our territory. We are working to make the beach increasingly attractive and functional for events of this magnitude.”
Mirco Babini (President of the International Kiteboarding Association) “First of all, I bring greetings from the presidents of the Italian Sailing Federation’s area president, Corrado Fara, and the Italian Sailing Federation national president, Francesco Ettorre, as a demonstration of how close the federation is to the Sardinia Grand Slam, both at the regional and national level. This year, kiteboarding made its Olympic debut, and Cagliari played a key role in the journey that brought us to Marseille. In the Kitefoil World Series, athletes compete with a different format than Formula Kite. Athletes come here to test, but with the freedom to choose their own equipment: these are materials that will be developed for future Olympics. Furthermore, on Sunday, we will crown the male and female world champions from here”.
Lorenzo Boschetti (Gruppo Sportivo Marina Militare) “I officially moved to Cagliari after spending five winters here. Last year I finished second here, after a long and exciting year. I aim to repeat and do even better — we are all here to win. We’ve started from scratch, with new materials and new formats, but there’s only one world champion”.
Giovanni Pilia (Associazione Sarda Paratetraplegici) “At the Sardinia Grand Slam, we will have the pleasure of promoting the ‘sit’n’kite’ activity. On Friday and Saturday, there will be a station for those who want to try it, hoping that Cagliari will soon be able to host a nationally significant event”.
SARDINIA GRAND SLAM 2024 – SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 1st
4:00-6:00 p.m. Athlete registrations
6:30 p.m. Opening ceremony at Poetto Beach, Cagliari
7:30 p.m. Pasta party for athletes and guests
Wednesday, October 2nd
11:00 a.m. Races
Village activities
Thursday, October 3rd
11:00 a.m. Races
Village activities: Setup and positioning of Demo boards for SUP, testing by reservation / lessons with Istedda
Friday, October 4
09:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Village activities with Istedda Games / mini tour / courses. Activities will continue in the afternoon after the kite races.
11:00 AM: Races
Saturday, October 5
09:00 AM: Village activities (SUP/SAILING) with Istedda
09:45 AM: Long distance preparation An approximately 8 km long distance race with 3 buoys, which will be positioned based on wind/weather conditions. After the kite race: Event medal ceremony on the World Championship stage, with thanks to participants.
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).
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