Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 Hikers LEADERBOARD

2025 IKA Youth European Championships in Gizzeria, Calabria - Overall

by International Kiteboarding Association 7 Jul 07:36 BST 30 June - 6 July 2025
Men's podium - 2025 IKA Youth European Championships © IKA Media / Robert Hajduk

Once again, Gizzeria delivered near-perfect racing conditions, with a steady thermal breeze sweeping in from the Tyrrhenian Sea across the Calabrian coast. It set the stage for a thrilling climax to the 2025 Youth European Championships—a week of high-level competition across multiple age groups, with 11 titles up for grabs.

Young Champions Crowned

Four age categories reached their dramatic conclusion

  • Jean-Paul Villegas, a 13-year-old from Colombia, outclassed older competitors to claim the U15 Open title.
  • Molly O'Brien, just 12, showed exceptional maturity and composure to bring the U15 Girls' title home to the United States.
  • Nathan Pearce of Canada secured the U17 Open title, breaking into the Gold Fleet and proving he's a rising star in the sport.
  • Karolina Jankowska of Poland took the U17 Girls' title, showcasing consistency throughout the week.
  • Gian Stragiotti of Switzerland emerged victorious in the Men's U19, with a strong performance in the grand final.
  • In the Women's U19, Derin Deniz Sorguc of Turkey clinched gold with a commanding final race.

Although the Youth European Championships are an open competition, only European riders are eligible for official European titles.

Men's Medal Series: Pianosi's double

The men's Golden Ticket race saw Poland's Jan Koszowski deliver a great performance to secure the final spot in the medal series, but his journey ended there. The repechage was won by Switzerland's Karl Maeder, with Israeli Carmel Avisar close behind. Both advanced to the quarterfinals, where they met Great Britain's Sam Dickinson and Brazil's Lucas Fonseca.

Dickinson and Maeder progressed to the semifinal, where a win would have meant a family showdown between Karl and his brother Max Maeder in the final. But it wasn't to be, Vojtech Koska of Czechia and Gian Stragiotti of Switzerland progressed instead.

That set the stage for a blockbuster final featuring defending champion and home favourite Riccardo Pianosi, Singaporean Max Maeder, Stragiotti, and Koska.

As the top qualifier, Maeder held a one-win advantage—he was on match point. Pianosi and Maeder closely shadowed each other from the start. As the race unfolded, Pianosi edged ahead and crossed the finish line first, nullifying Maeder's advantage.

It would come down to one last race.

In race two, Pianosi executed a brilliant start-line manoeuvre that put him in control. Forced to chase, Maeder overcommitted and picked up a costly penalty after a collision at the bottom mark with Koska. His race was over.

Pianosi claimed his second consecutive Youth European gold. "I'm happy about the week," he said. "I made so many mistakes yesterday, so it feels good to perform when it counts. Max had an amazing week, but I got the win today. That's how the format works, and I'm pleased with the result."

Maeder was gracious in defeat: "It's a bitter pill to swallow. Riccardo pulled the same start move I'd fallen for in a past competition, so I should've known better. But credit to him."

Women's Final: Turkish Delight

The women's final brought together last year's silver medallist Derin Atakan of Turkey and her friend and rival, Youth World Champion Catalina Turienzo of Argentina. Joining them were fellow Turk Derin Deniz Sorguc and Britain's Ella Geiger, both of whom advanced through the medal series.

From the start, Atakan and Turienzo engaged in a tactical match race. At the first turn, they had already distanced themselves from the fleet. By mark three, Atakan had carved out a narrow lead, and she never looked back. With the finish line in sight, the 19-year-old from Istanbul pulled further ahead. "It feels really good," she said. "This whole competition saw me match racing with Catalina. Pushing each other makes us better."

Geiger earned European silver and Sorguc secured bronze, capping off a fantastic day for Turkish sailing with gold and bronze in the women's event.

For more information and results visit www.kiteclasses.org/2025youtheuropeans.

Related Articles

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
Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 12 Jul