Please select your home edition
Edition
Crewsaver 2021 Safetyline LEADERBOARD

IKA Kitefoiling Youth Worlds Torregrande 2022 - Day 1

by Andy Rice, IKA 19 May 2022 05:20 BST 16-22 May 2022

Day one of the Formula Kite U21 and Youth Foil World Championships in Sardinia delivered challenging and shifty wind between 9 to 13 knots, but still the favourites rose to the top of the scoreboard.

Formula Kite U21 (Female)

Julia Damasiewicz could have been leading overall after day one in beautiful Torregrande, except that the defending youth world champion from Poland sailed the wrong course while leading race three. "Other riders were told about the course change by their coaches," she said. "But I didn't manage to speak to my coach and I didn't see the course change on the race committee boat. It was an annoying mistake, but I have to move on."

Damasiewicz's error opened the door for another Polish rider to take pole position in the female standings. Last year's bronze medallist Nina Arcisz also slipped in race two with a 15th, but her other scores of 1,2,2 were sufficient to put Arcisz in front as the riders stepped ashore. However, a protest against the Pole led to her disqualification from race three, and this dropped her down to seventh overall.

So after protests were settled it's Gal Zukerman from Israel who holds the top spot. Zukerman didn't realise until she came ashore quite what a good day she had sailed. "I hit a bag in one race, had a crash, and there was quite a bit of weed on the course, but I'm happy with how things have worked out at the end of the day," she said. Damasiewicz is two points behind the lead with another Israeli, Maya Ashkenazi, in third overall.

British rider Francesca Maini's day of competition is not yet over. Currently in the middle of exams, studying Geography at Exeter University in the south-west of England, Maini has to complete two critical essays in a 24-hour period. "I wrote one essay before we went on the water, then sailed the four races, and now I've got to write the other essay this evening," she laughed. "I'm not sure I've got the energy for it! I've got the energy for going kiting, but not exams."

Formula Kite U21 (Male)

As expected, the defending Formula Kite Youth World Champion, Max Maeder from Singapore, is going to be hard to beat in Torregrande, although he was typically humble about his perfect scoreline today. "I was a little bit fortunate with the two sides of the qualifying draw," said the 15-year-old who scored four wins from four. "Most of the other experienced riders were racing in the other fleet, so that made it a bit easier for me. I was really impressed by Riccardo [Pianosi] in the other fleet. He showed he could come back through the fleet even when he was behind, and that is a great skill to have."

Pianosi was mostly happy with this day, winning his last three races but kicking himself for the UFD disqualification in the opening heat after crossing the start line too soon. At a previous regatta when he picked up two over-eager UFDs in a single day, his coach made him shave 'UFD' in his hair. Pianosi was relieved to avoid that embarrassment today and will most likely pose the biggest threat to Maeder in the boys' division if he can stay the right side of the start line. The only other rider to win a race today in the male division was China's fast-improving Qibin Huang who shows real potential to challenge his opponents at the top of the leaderboard.

The A's Youth Foil U17 (Male & Female)

Poland holds three of the top four places after the first day of racing in The A's, the lower-powered foiling kiteboard option for the under-17 riders. Jakub Balewicz's consistency rewards the Pole with first place overall after four races, two points ahead of Switzerland's Gian Andrea Stragiotti. The two Poles in third and fourth are respectively defending A's world champion Jan Koszowski followed by Marcel Stepniewski.

Qualifying continues

Racing continues on Thursday with four more races scheduled in the Male and Formula Kite divisions and the Youth Foil mixed fleet.

Results after Day 1:

Formula Kite Male (4 races, 1 discard)
1 FRA Maximilian Maeder 7pts
2 ITA Riccardo Pianosi 9pts
3 CHN Qibin Huang 10pts

Formula Kite Female (4 races, 1 discard)
1 ISR Gal Zukerman 7pts
2 POL Julia Damasiewicz 9pts
3 ISR Maya Ashkenazi 10pts

Full results: www.formulakite.org

A's YouthFoil (4 races, 1 discard)
1 POL Jakub Balewicz 4pts
2 SUI Gian Andrea Stragiotti 6pts
3 POL Jan Koszowski 7pts

Full results: www.youthfoil.org

Related Articles

Red Bull Sailing Academy Opens
A new hub for current and future superstars to reach the top of their sport Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking the beginning of a new era in the sport. Posted on 6 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 4
It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast, and Gizzeria has put on a great show as host of the 2025 IKA Youth European Championships. Posted on 5 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 3
The invincibles stumble during qualifying The men's competition has moved into its decisive phase, with the top 22 riders now forming a gold fleet. After Saturday's racing, only the top ten will qualify for the medal series and today, the pressure began to show, even on the frontrunners. Posted on 4 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 2
Thrills and spills - with the speed came plenty of racing incidents Day 2 of the Youth European Championships in Gizzeria saw fantastic conditions that gave the racing added pace. With the speed came plenty of racing incidents. Posted on 3 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 1
Rising stars shine at Youth Kitefoil Euros kickoff Some of the world's best young kite foilers started racing today in southern Italy aiming to become Youth European champions. Posted on 2 Jul
World Sailing announces split venues for LA28
The boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port World Sailing has said it welcomes the confirmation of sailing venues for the Olympic Games LA28 the boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port. Posted on 30 Jun
Sail Canada introduces Canadian Sailing Team
21 athletes were selected based on the Canadian Sailing Team Sport Canada Carding Criteria Sail Canada is pleased to announce the list of sailors who will be part of the 2025-2026 Canadian Sailing Team. Posted on 26 Jun
2025 IKA Youth Europeans Oreview
Italy set to host the future of kitefoiling in Gizzeria, Calabria The Hang Loose Beach Club in Gizzeria, Calabria is once again poised to welcome kitefoiling's rising stars as the IKA Youth European Championships return to southern Italy. Posted on 25 Jun
Registration now open for GKA Youth events
Germany and Spain events will have U14, U16 and U19 divisions Registration is now open for the two upcoming GKA Youth events of the 2025 season. First up is the GKA Youth Big Air Kite World Championship in St. Peter Ording, Germany. Posted on 9 Jun
Whitehead finish 9th at Formula Kite Europeans
A confident return to international competition in Urla, Türkiye Australia's Breiana Whitehead has made a confident return to international competition, finishing ninth overall at the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Türkiye. Posted on 20 May