Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard June to September

2019 Formula Kite Europeans - Day 2: Tight racing in perfect conditions

by Ian MacKinnon 27 Sep 2019 02:36 BST
2019 Formula Kite Europeans - Day 2 © AlessandroTocco

In breathtakingly close racing at the Formula Kite European Championships on the sumptuous Italian resort island of Sardinia, the gap between the leading pack could hardly be closer, with just four points separating the top four men.

But France's Théo de Ramecourt edged to the top of the order with with a storming display that netted him a perfect five bullets in breezes that built from around 14kts, finally gusting to more than 22kts, blowing over the Gulf of Oristano's flat waters.

It was a remarkable record that was almost derailed. In his day's final race French team-mate Benoit Gomez attempted a port tack start that went awry and ended in a tangle, forcing De Ramecourt to jump and double backroll over the carnage almost ending with him in pin-end boat, before he went on to seize another win.

Slovenia's Toni Vodisek, competing in the alternate "qualifying series" flight, was not so fortunate. He, too, was on a charge holding down his 15m Ozone R1V3 kite and had scooped four bullets from four before a crash while leading on the downwind leg of his last race saw him finish sixth.

Yet it was still enough to give Vodisek the leaderboard's third spot, just behind overnight leader France's Axel Mazella, who had a strong outing in the shifty breezes, grabbing a bullet and three second spots.

After two days of the 10-race "qualifying series", the men in the 60-strong fleet will now be seeded into the top "gold" and "silver" flights for the closing two days' "finals series" in the battle for the prized International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) Formula Kite Europeans crown.

In the 30-strong women's fleet, racing separately in competition for the title, the battles were equally enthralling. But on the rhomboid windward-leeward track off Torregrande's pristine beach, reigning Formula Kite world champion Daniela Moroz (USA) was untouchable, racking up five bullets from five.

The fight for the crumbs from Moroz's table was intense and engrossing. In the end Britain's Ellie Aldridge kept her nose in front with a clutch of high-placed finishes, though she was frustrated by too many crashes and mistakes.

Australia's Breiana Whitehead moved up the order to third, courtesy of a second, third and two fourth-placed finishes despite the tricky conditions that kept her—like the other racers—continually guessing.

"It was really fun," said Whitehead. "Very full on, and I'm quite tired. There was some really close racing, and we were all close together. It's really great to have girls of so many different nationalities here. But the wind was gusty and shifty. It was difficult to make a plan, so I'm happy with my spot."

Predictably, De Ramecourt was similarly buoyed by his stellar performance that put rivals on notice for the closing contests of the five-day regatta, sponsored by the Region of Sardinia and the Sardinia Foundation.

"I really love these conditions," said De Ramecourt. "They really suit my riding style. But I must say I made some poor strategic choices at some points. I was able to compensate with my speed, though, so I was really relaxed and had a great time. It was a perfect day."

Top five men after 10 races: (two discards)

1.Théo de Ramecourt (FRA) - 10pts
2. Axel Mazella (FRA) - 11pts
3. Toni Vodisek (SLO) - 14pts
4. Benoit Gomez (FRA) - 14pts
5. Florian Gruber (GER) - 19pts

Top five women after 10 races: (two discards)

1. Daniela Moroz (USA) - 4pts
2. Ellie Aldridge (GBR) - 26pts
3. Breiana Whitehead (AUS) - 28pts
4. Justina Kitchen (NZL) - 32pts
5. Leonie Meyer (GER) - 37pts

For more information and full results visit www.formulakite.com

Related Articles

Sail Canada's Youth Fest preview
More than 260 sailors in Kingston for the comeback event More than 260 sailors will gather in Kingston, August 1-5, for the comeback of Sail Canada's Youth Fest, presented simultaneously with Sail Canada 2025 Club 420 Youth Championship. Posted on 30 Jul
Oman Kite Festival 2025 concludes in Sur
After 10 days of international competition The Oman Kite Festival 2025 came to a close after ten days of exciting competitions and vibrant events held across several coastal locations in the Sultanate of Oman. Posted on 29 Jul
Antonia & Georgia Lewin-LaFrance 1pt from podium
In the 49er FX class at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance from Chester, N.S., took the fourth position in 49erFX at the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta. Posted on 21 Jul
Oman Kite Festival kicks off from Barr Al Hikman
With the official opening ceremony and race launch The Oman Kite Festival 2025 launched on the 15th of July on the scenic shores of Barr Al Hikman in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, welcoming more than 90 athletes from Oman and around the world. Posted on 18 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 4
ILCA 6 & 7, Men's & Women's Formula Kite and 470 Mixed Teams Wrap Up The racing for the first 5 classes of the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta wrapped up with a twist in conditions and breeze just to mix it up for the competitors. Posted on 17 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 17 Jul
Sail Canada Regional Championships Preview
More than 300 young Canadian sailors in action this weekend across the country More than 300 young Canadian sailors will be in action this weekend as Sail Canada will present its three regional championships: Sail East at St. Margaret Sailing Club, Sail Central at Hudson Yacht Club and Sail West at Gimli Yacht Club. Posted on 16 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots! Posted on 15 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue. Posted on 14 Jul
2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta kicks off
The first week of the OCR includes five Olympic classes The highly anticipated 2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta officially commenced on Saturday, 12 July, marking the beginning of Olympic campaigns since the venues were announced. Posted on 14 Jul