2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy Overall: Nocher crowned at KiteFoil World Series Final

by Ian MacKinnon 21 Oct 2018 21:51 PDT 17-21 October 2018

2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy - Day 4 © IKA / Alex Schwarz

Monaco's Maxime Nocher trumpeted his comeback when he lifted the KiteFoil world champion's crown after a stuttering World Series final fought out on the Italian resort island of Sardinia.

Nocher added to his haul of world titles at the climax of the three-stop International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) KiteFoil World Series, with a second podium spot at the Sardinia Kiteboard Grand Slam that earned him the tour's best overall racer.

"It's very nice," said Nocher. "I'm really happy to come back after the last year. I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm going to come back stronger next year. Now I know my weaknesses and I'll have to be even faster."

2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy - Day 4 - photo © IKA / Alex Schwarz

The three-times Formula Kite world champion was bested at the series-closing Sardinia event by bitter rival, France's Nico Parlier. He took the win and a share of the €20,000 prize money at the five-day competition dogged by fickle breezes.

"I'm pleased with the result here and I'm pleased with my racing," said Parlier. "I managed to stay in the lead and beat Maxime Nocher. We were tied on points, but I was able to stay ahead of him and take the win."

Britain's Guy Bridge took a bullet with superlative racing in the only race of the final day on the track off Cagliari's Poetto Beach, leaving both Nocher and Parlier in his wake in the smooth waters under the Sella del Diavolo (Devil's Saddle) promontory.

2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy - Day 4 - photo © IKA / Alex Schwarz

The British teenager notched up two bullets, but a critical lack of wind throughout the four days of competition that allowed just four races in all meant that he was unable to discard a poor early score for a disqualification for a tangle.

Fellow countryman Connor Bainbridge finished the Sardinia finale in fourth spot just behind Germany's Florian Gruber. But it was enough for him to take the KiteFoil World Series' second podium spot after strong performances in the back-to-back stops in China last month, marking his leap up the rankings.

"I came here to finish on a high," he said. "This season's been great for me. What changed for me was that I got my head down and worked hard—an extra hour on the water or in the gym. So it's worked out. I'm really looking forward to what's to come."

2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy - Day 4 - photo © IKA / Alex Schwarz

The women's KiteFoil World Series title was taken by Kirstyn O'Brien (USA), after she alone competed at all three stops, ahead of Daniela Moroz (USA) and Elena Kalinina (RUS). The late cancellation of the planned final in Oman meant racers could not discard a score from any event.

O'Brien made a last minute decision to switch plans and compete in Cagliari after the Oman event fell through, one that paid off for her when she lifted the title.

"It's very surreal for me," said O'Brien. "I know if we'd had another stage in the World Series the competition would have been really tough."

2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy - Day 4 - photo © IKA / Alex Schwarz

Moroz, the triple Formula Kite world champion, topped the women's podium at the Sardinia Grand Slam ahead of Britain's Steph Bridge. The American teenager was pleased with her performance that saw her finish a remarkable thirteenth overall, racing among the strong mixed fleet.

"The first day went quite well, but after that wasn't quite a good as I wanted," said Moroz. "But now this gives me motivation to keep training this winter and come back really strong next year. I was just happy to be here. We've had a fun week even though we got a little unlucky with the wind."