Cagliari is ready to welcome the strongest international champions of Kite Foil, the new Olympic discipline, from October 2nd to 6th, the Sardinia Grand Slam, the world final of the Kitefoil World Championship, promoted by the ‘International Kiteboarding Association and organized by Good Looking Entertainment and Yacht Club Cagliari.
Over 80 athletes from all the continents of the world are going to meet again in the Sardinian capital for what has now become a “classic” in the international Kite Foil scene. It is in fact the third year that the world champions of this discipline are crowned in Cagliari that we remind has been included by World Sailing as a sailing class that is going to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After two years of victories by the French Nico Parlier, ruler of the Sardinia Grand Slam 2018 but mocked last year in the overall standings by the current reigning world champion Maxime Nocher, the challenge is this year even more interesting.
Surprisingly, in fact, the absolute ruler of the Kite Foil World Series 2019 is the very young Slovenian kiter Toni Vodisek, winner of the first three stages of the World Championship, silver medal at the Youth Olympics of Buenos Aires in 2018.
The Sardinia Grand Slam was preceded by Torregrande’s Formula Kite European Championship, which was staged within the Open Water Challenge 2019. On that occasion Vodisek was passed on the last day of racing by the French Axel Mazella.
The missed European title reveals the very high competitive level that we will see in the water during the Sardinia Grand Slam. It will be a battle to try to take away a title from the Slovenian, that he won’t certainly have until Sunday October 6th.
Turning to women, the 2018 title went to Kirstyn Obrien, author of a not particularly brilliant performance at Poetto but rewarded by perseverance and by what was done during the first two stages of the KiteFoil World Series. To enchant the Sardinian public was the very young American Daniela Moroz, who this year presents herself as the athlete to beat, above all from the impressive performance at the Absolute European Championship.
The Sardinia Grand Slam was presented this morning in Cagliari, at the Regional Department of Tourism.
“We are at the halfway point of two crucial weeks for Sardinia’s role in the international Kiteboarding scenario – Mirco Babini, president of IKA – International Kiteboarding Association, added – with the inclusion of Kite Foil among the Olympic disciplines of Paris 2024, this event is becoming increasingly important in every part of the world. It is no coincidence that we are going to have in Cagliari many athletes from more than 30 nations spread over 5 continents. It will surely be a great show and in the water we will see a great fight between over the ten strongest athletes of this discipline. Nothing is taken for granted, the battle is still open”.
“We are really proud to have brought the international Kiteboarding show to Cagliari once again – said Gian Domenico Nieddu, of Good Looking Entertainment – This city is once again able to host events of this level. As for Kiteboarding, and in general sailing sports, Poetto is now recognized all over the world as one of the best spots for competitions and training. I hope that this heritage will be further enhanced in the coming years by organizing events and events “.
“The Region focuses heavily on major sporting events scheduled from October to April, which contribute concretely to the seasonal adjustment process and represent a leading sector for the regional economy,” said Giovanni Chessa, Councilor for Tourism, Crafts and Trade of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, who added – For the next Budget, I undertake to include the Sardinia Grand Slam among the great events to be supported in the coming three-year period, so that its presence can be guaranteed in Cagliari in the future. Tourism Sardinia is growing, it has a unique heritage and is well suited to all water sports, which represent a safe investment”.
The Sardinia Grand Slam World Championship is organized by Good Looking Entertainment and Yacht Club Cagliari, which deals with technical sports coordination, under the aegis of the IKA (International Kiteboarding Association), the support of the Kiteboarding Class Italy CKI, the Italian Sailing Federation and with the contribution of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia – Tourism Department and the Municipality of Cagliari Sport and Tourism, and some private companies.