156 athletes, 5 continents, 45 countries: the Sardinia Grand Slam ready for the Worlds' challenge
by Sardinia Grand Slam 1 Oct 2022 10:46 BST
8-16 October 2022
The kitefoiling show last year in Cagliari © IKA Media / Markus Hadjuk
Next October 8th to 16th the traditional sailing event in Cagliari will assign the titles of the Formula Kite World Championship, the "Olympic board" expected to debut in Paris 2024.
The Golfo degli Angeli's crystalline waters and the 6th stop of the Poetto, iconic beach of Sardinia's capital, will host the event.
Over 150 athletes to be involved, 45 Countries and five Continents represented and a great dream to chase for everyone: Formula Kite Olympic class world title. The wind blows strongly in Cagliari's Golfo degli Angeli and the Formula Kite World Championships - highlighting the new "Olympic board" set to make its debut at the Paris Games in 2024 - is day by day closer: the "Gulf of Angels" and the Poetto beach in Cagliari will host the event next October 8th to 16th. The Worlds champions will be crowned on the occasion of the Sardinia Grand Slam, an established sailing event organized by GLEsport, selected to host the kitefoiling IKA World Series queen stage last autumn.
Exactly 156 athletes are admitted (94 men and 62 women), coming from 45 countries, 43 in the Men entry list and 28 in the Women's one. France takes the lion's share with 15 participants, nine women and six men.
The reigning champion of the 2021 edition, the French Théo de Ramecourt, will be the among the stars of the transalpine expedition, as well as Axel Mazella, another valid candidate for final victory. World Championships' silver medallist in Oristano, last year, Mazella was already a brilliant protagonist and winner of the Sardinia Grand Slam 2021 in Golfo degli Angeli's waters. Serious contenders for the top positions are also Cyprus' Denis Taradin, leader of the KiteFoil World Series, and Slovenian Tony Vodisek. English team has solid chances too, starting with Connor Bainbridge, who celebrated his birthday last year by leading the Sardinia Grand Slam after day1 and who is currently looking for his best shape.
Bronze medallist eleven months ago and leader of the seasonal ranking, Riccardo Pianosi will attract the support of the Italians, as well as Lorenzo Boschetti. Runner-up in the 2022 ranking, German Florian Gruber is another expected protagonist.
Five-time world champion and several times star of the Sardinia Grand Slam, US' Daniela Moroz will try to hold her rainbow title from the attacks of British Ellie Aldridge and French Lauriane Nolot, silver and bronze at the 2021 Worlds respectively. All of them will pay attention to Gisela Pulido Borrell, the Spanish leader of the seasonal ranking ahead of Nolot (winner of 2021 Sardinia Grand Slam) and Moroz themselves.
Since yesterday, many of the expected protagonists are taking part to the European Championship in Greece. However, many other athletes are already in Cagliari, starting from the US national team - with the Women's world champion Moroz - to French and Dutch teams. Every day the Poetto welcomes new sails. By October 3rd all the members and their entourages will be in the Sardinian capital, for a total of 6,000 people expected in the hotels in two weeks.
The World Championship is organized by GLEsport with the financial contribution of the Tourism Department of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and the Municipality of Cagliari. The event will be held under the aegis of World Sailing (the International Sailing Federation) and IKA (the International Kiteboarding Federation), in addition to the FIV - Italian Sailing Federation and the CKWI, the Kiteboarding and Wingsport Italia Class and with the collaboration of the Chia Wind Club.
Schedule
Saturday, October 8th
11.00 Local press conference
12:00-18:00 On-site registration
Sunday, October 9th
08:00-18.00 Equipment inspection
Monday, October 10th
08:00-13.00 Equipment inspection
14:00 Practice race
15:00-18.00 Equipment inspection
08:00-18:00 Profile picture photo shoot (Mandatory)
18:00 Technical meeting
19.00: Pasta Party Welcome athletes and coaches
Tuesday-Saturday, October 11th-15th
h. 10:00 Races
Sunday, October 16th
10:00 Final races
17:00 Prize giving and closing ceremony
Monday, October 17th
Departure, venue closes