Formula Kite Youth Europeans and Masters Worlds 2023 - Day 3

Formula Kite Youth Europeans and Masters Worlds 2023 - Day 3 © Robert Hajduk | IKA Media

Julia Damasiewicz promised herself she could do better, and on day 4 in Torregrande, Sardinia, the Polish rider delivered.

With three wins from four races, Damasiewicz rises up to second place overall in the Formula Kite Youth European Championship. She's moving to within striking distance of the event leader, France's Héloïse Pégourié.

The reigning Youth World Champion was pleased and relieved to have rediscovered some of her best form. "I'm really happy about it," said Damasiewicz. "I actually didn't expect expect it to go so good. I gave myself a good talk last night, and now I feel ready to claim more bullets. I actually had a great battle with the French girls today on the water. So big thanks to them. I had fun today on the water with them."

Formula Kite Youth Europeans and Masters Worlds 2023 - Day 3 - photo © Robert Hajduk | IKA Media

Tug of War

She and her fellow Polish riders also had fun with their French rivals in a battle of Tug of War on Torregrande Beach in front of Eolo Ristobar beach café. In front of a crowd of fellow riders, coaches and supporters the Polish put up a good battle but the heavier French foursome prevailed in the end.

The day started with three French in the top three, although Chloé Revil slipped to fourth after the dramatic rise of Damasiewicz. Like most riders, Revi struggled with kite size selection on such a variable day on the water. "I did the first three races on my 21 [square metre kite] and the last race on my 15. It was always difficult to make the right choice because the wind was very gusty, very shifty." Revil added: "It was shifting 30 to 40 degrees, and at times it was 8 knots then a gust up to 20, so it was a very complicated day."

Formula Kite Youth Europeans and Masters Worlds 2023 - Day 3 - photo © Robert Hajduk | IKA Media

Huang Tough

It was the first day of gold fleet competition for the boys, a chance to see who would come out on top in a head to head between the two top riders, Riccardo Pianosi and Qibin Huang.

The Italian won the first heat, but the Chinese rider won the next two, placing Huang first overall by a single point. Holding third place is Vojtech Koska from the Czech Republic, while Paul Labordere enjoyed a really solid session to move up to fourth overall. "Some big guys out there, I'm just 76kg, so I can't make too many mistakes because they have the speed," smiled the French rider. "My starts and my consistency were much better so I'm really proud of how I went today."

Formula Kite Youth Europeans and Masters Worlds 2023 - Day 3 - photo © Robert Hajduk | IKA Media

EJ Edges Closer

In the Kitefoil Open Masters World Championship, Turkey's Ejder 'EJ' Ginyol continues a strong comeback as he tries to close the gap to series leader Billy Guy-Maupas from France. "It was a tough day," said Ginyol. "The competition didn't start very well for me. The first day, my mind was a little bit out of focus because last week I twisted my knee and I was so nervous over the last week. Would I be fit enough? I rested as much as I could. I didn't walk, I didn't train, I didn't do any practice. But then on the first day I made lots of mistakes. Then over the last two days it has gone much better. But Billy is also a very, very strong guy. We're having a good battle. It's so nice to race with him and also the Danish rider James Johnsen [now in third overall]."

In the women's Masters fleet, Thailand's Benyapa Jantawan continues to hold top spot ahead of Monika Zizlavska from the Czech Republic.

The regatta moves into the final two days of competition this weekend, with the dramatic Medal Series set to decide the podium winners on Sunday. Tune in to watch the livestream starting at 1200 hours Central European Time on Saturday, direct from Torregrande Beach.

Results (top 3 after three days): Youth Men