Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Daniela Moroz claims fifth consecutive Formula Kite World Champion Title

by US Sailing Team 17 Oct 2021 23:11 PDT
Daniela Moroz atop the 2021 Formula Kite World Championship podium celebrating her fifth consecutive title © Robert Hajduk

After much anticipation during the light wind postponement on shore, Daniela Moroz (Lafayette, Calif.) took the win in her final race, securing her fifth Women's Formula Kite World Champion title.

Under the new scoring system that will be utilized in the kite's Paris 2024 debut, Moroz only needed one more race win on the final day of racing to bring home the gold. Joining her in the finals was Great Britain's Ellie Aldridge, finishing second, France's Lauriane Nolot in third and Poema Newland in fourth.

In the thrill of the adrenaline and high emotions, Moroz reflected on her accomplishment, saying "it feels really good. I have to give all my props to the whole squad, the coaches, the team, my parents, friends, and family for the support. It takes a village and I'm really thankful to have their encouragement behind me. I'm absorbing it all right now... the conditions were very difficult this week, even when it was windy, it was super shifty, so making a good plan was tricky. You had to change your decisions and tactics on the go and the regatta was full of reacting to what was happening on the course. It was very technical racing and I'm happy with how I did throughout the event. I sailed really well and saw improvement in my sailing even since Formula Kite Europeans last month."

Light winds caused a delay on shore for the four male and four female athletes who qualified for finals. While on shore in the suspense and anticipation with a fifth consecutive title so close in reach, Moroz said "this morning I tried not to think about racing too much. I had a relaxed breakfast with the squad and our team and tried to stay calm and confident. Once I was on the water, I got a little nervous, but as soon as the warning signal went off, I switched modes and dialed in."

"For the final race, I didn't have the best start," said Moroz. "I was on time, but I didn't have the best positioning on the line. The right was a little favored and I ended up going further left than the rest of the women and had to roll the fleet on a port tack when I crossed back. When I reached the starboard lay line, Lauriane Nolot (from France) had already tacked to lay the mark, so I tacked inside of her. I ended up laying the line a little better than her and had a better rounding which set me up for the downwind and the leeward rounding. I had a great few roundings after fighting for the positioning on the first windward mark, and that was the move that won the race. By the final upwind leg, I had the bullet locked in."

Racing was tight all throughout the event for the women and provided a spectacular show for spectators, coaches, event organizers and race officials. Because finals day only consists of the top four athletes at the end of day four, none of the men of the US KiteFoil Squad sailed the last day of the event.

US KiteFoil Squad results: (closing out the largest World Championships of Formula Kite history)

1st - Daniela Moroz (Lafayette, Calif.)
15th - Markus Edegran (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
28th - Kai Calder (Alameda, Calif.)
33rd - Evan Heffernan (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
34th - Will Cyr (San Diego, Calif.)

Full results available here.

Related Articles

US Sailing and Zhik announce strategic partnership
Zhik will provide cutting-edge gear designed to enhance athlete performance on the water US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with Zhik, global leader in high-performance water wear. Posted on 13 May
US Sailing announces new scholarship fund
To support sailors' growth and development In an effort to make sailing more accessible and inclusive, US Sailing is proud to announce the launch of the US Sailing Scholarship Fund. Posted on 28 Apr
Charlie Enright appointed as CEO of US Sailing
An accomplished sailor and an advocate of the sport, known for his leadership skills US Sailing announced Charlie Enright, an accomplished leader in the sailing industry, as the Association's new CEO. Enright will take the helm of US Sailing, the sport's National Governing Body (NGB), following an extensive national executive search. Posted on 14 Apr
Three American teams qualify for Medal Races
At Trofeo Princesa Sofía, first Sailing Grand Slam After six days of racing on the Bay of Palma at the 54th Trofeo Princesa Sofía, three American teams finished the opening series in the top 10, qualifying for prestigious medal races at the largest Olympic classes regatta of the year. Posted on 8 Apr
Lead-up to LA28 begins with Princesa Sofía Regatta
29 athletes representing the US are now in Palma 29 athletes representing the US across eight Olympic classes will spar with over 50 other countries at the 54th edition of the Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca, considered to be the European season opener. Posted on 31 Mar
Jr. Pan American Games Sailing Team announced
Four athletes named, set to compete in Paraguay this August Four US athletes will take the water for the second ever Junior Pan American Games coming up August 9-23, 2025 in Asunción, Paraguay. Posted on 7 Mar
US Sailing Youth Team qualification update
Over half of the 72 sailors who will qualify have now earned their spot on the team Over half of the 72 sailors who will qualify for the Youth National Team in 2025 have now earned their spot on the team based on top finishes at class association Midwinter Championships. Posted on 7 Mar
US Sailing seek Sailor Athlete Council nominations
SAC is only vehicle for sailors to be heard as individuals rather than as members of an organization US Sailing's Sailor Athlete Council (SAC) maintains an avenue for American sailor athletes to voice their opinions, providing a forum and opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the future and direction of our sport. Posted on 2 Mar
US selection process for Youth Match Racing Worlds
Set to take place from July 21-27 in Gdynia, Poland US Sailing has released the athlete selection procedures for the 2025 World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship, set to take place from July 21-27 in Gdynia, Poland. Posted on 28 Feb
2025 Kevin Burnham Memorial Grants recipients
Three young sailors selected to receive the 2025 Kevin Burnham Memorial Grants US Sailing is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Kevin Burnham Memorial Grants, made possible by the generous support of the sailing community in honor of Kevin Burnham's remarkable legacy. Posted on 27 Feb
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeBarton Marine Pipe GlandsCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER