Axel Mazella strengthens lead at Sardinia Grand Slam: Sunday's final showdown in Cagliari
by Sardinia Grand Slam 10 Oct 2021 01:29 BST
6-10 October 2021
Axel Mazella consolidated his lead at Sardinia Grand Slam © IKA Media / Robert Hajduk
The defending champion came closer to the final success of IKA KiteFoil World Series' round 3, winning two races. Nolot new leader of Women's ranking. The SGS village hosted special guests like Cagliari's Councillor Floris, Olympic windsurfer Maggetti and a delegation from Luna Rossa.
We still have twenty-four hours to the crowning of Sardinia Grand Slam's new king, but Axel Mazella's candidacy is stronger and stronger. The defending champion strengthened his lead in IKA KiteFoil World Series' round 3 taking place in Cagliari (October 6-10), in view of tomorrow's final showdown. Mazella claimed the win in two out of four races held today in Golfo degli Angeli's waters. The fifth one was canceled due to weak wind, under 5 nodes.
"It was a good day. I'm really tired about the races, we did fourteen races in three days, it was really intense from the beginning to the end. The wind was shifty, from the right side to the left side, every race was different. The last race was completely different from the other ones because the wind was really shifty from the right side and it was coming from the headland: we've got a no-wind zone just in front of it. Everyone had different tactics. On the second leg, I followed Riccardo Pianosi, then on the last one I decided to go even more on the left side and it was better, for sure, because I overtook him. Now I stay focused until the end to win Sardinia Grand Slam" leader Mazella commented.
Behind the European Champion, Brit Connor Bainbridge went up to second position thanks to regular performances, whilst French Theo De Ramecourt climbed up the overall ranking by winning two regattas and flying to the third position.
"I just wanted to have fun, I was really not concerned about position or ranking, I did my line without caring to anyone else. I really enjoyed the conditions and I made the most out of it. The wind was shifty and you really had to open your eyes, then be reactive and opportunist", De Ramecourt stated.
Among French and Brit kiters, the Italian prospect Riccardo Pianosi excellently interpreted the racing field, going up to seventh Overall with the icing on the cake: the second spot in Race 14. The Italian champion Lorenzo Boschetti is actually tenth, ahead of countryman Mario Calbucci.
"I perceived some strong wind shifts and I was able to read the wind since the first leg, taking a good advantage on the runner-up. On the third leg, Axel read the wind better than me and won the race, but I can be really happy with my performance" Pianosi said.
There's a new queen in the Women's ranking: French Lauriane Nolot overtook her countrywoman Poema Newland, whilst another French athlete, Jessie Kampman, is third in the ranking.
Sardinia Grand Slam's penultimate day was made even more special by the presence of special guests like Andrea Floris, Councillor for Sports at Municipality of Cagliari; Olympic windsurfer Marta Maggetti, fourth-placed at the Tokyo Games; a delegation from the Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, runner-up at America's Cup.
Three further races are scheduled in Cagliari tomorrow, Sunday, October 10th: the fight for 2021 Sardinia Grand Slam's title is on the final straight.