Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

2023 Kitefoil World Series Italy - Overall

by Andy Rice 15 Oct 2023 12:33 PDT 11-15 October 2023

Kitefoil World Series Italy reached a crescendo of drama as the top 10 men and women contested the new Medal Series format in the south of Sardinia. Ultimately the pre-event favourites, Max Maeder and Lauriane Nolot, prevailed to win gold in the men's and women's events, although there were plenty of twists and turns along the way.

All day long the thermal sea breeze was fighting a battle with the stronger offshore Mistral breeze, which made it very hard to set a fair race course. It also made it very difficult for the riders and their caddies to choose the right kite for the ever-changing conditions.

The day's competition started with the knockout rounds of a new Medal Series format that was trialled at Kitefoil World Series Traunsee a week earlier in Austria. But this would be the first time both the men and women would contest the knockout format which involves a series of four-rider knockout races, where the first two finishers progress to the next stage while the last two are eliminated from the competition.

To break out of the Repechage, through to the Quarter-Final, the Semi-Final and to the four-rider Final would demand great consistency and ability to deliver under pressure. Yet one man and one woman were able to do exactly that. Denis Taradin of Cyprus and Julia Damasiewicz of Poland are two individuals that probably shouldn't have found themselves so far down the running order in the first place, but neither rider had sailed particularly well by their usual standards during the Opening Series with 45 boards on one busy start line.

However the four-rider race course is a different game that is more speed oriented with a different emphasis on tactics. The port-tack start, for example, can be a strong move on a more open race course. With the wind constantly changing in wind strength and direction, it was a tense afternoon on Poetto Beach which possibly played into the hands of experienced kiteboarders like Taradin and Damasiewicz.

It was a marvel to see the Cypriot and Polish riders muscle their way through one round and into the next, and eventually into their respective Finals. Similarly the other qualifiers to the Finals had their own stories to tell. Cameron Maramenides has been a revelation this week, the Greek rider showing that he can take on the best in the world and give them a good run for their money despite his lack of experience.

Sofia Tomasoni managed to sail through from third to first place in the blink of an eye on the final downwind leg of her Semi-Final to take her place alongside

Damasiewicz and the two who had qualified from the Opening Series - Nolot and Breiana Whitehead of Australia.

In the first race of the women's Final, Damasiewicz decided she was going to do her own thing as she started on port and blasted out to the right-hand side of the course while Nolot, Whitehead and Tomasoni raced out to sea on the left. When they came back together at the top mark the Polish rider was well ahead of her rivals.

However, the irrepressible Nolot just has that extra click of pace, particularly on the upwind leg. On the second lap the French rider exerted her superior pace and height to overtake the Polish pretender. So Nolot won the race, won the championship and celebrated another victory in a hugely successful season for the French favourite. Whitehead took her second silver in two weeks and bronze for Damasiewicz.

In the men's Final it didn't take long for Maeder to establish an early advantage. Lorenzo Boschetti of Italy along with Taradin were always pushing the Singaporean hard all the way to the finish but it wasn't enough to take the contest any further. Maeder won the race, won gold and said: "That feeling of winning never gets old!"

Boschetti had been in second place all week and earned a well deserved silver medal on home waters with Taradin claiming his second bronze in a week after achieving the same in Austria on the previous Sunday.

From the freshwater contest on Lake Traunsee to the salt-water showdown in Sardinia this weekend, the riders have come through two very different challenges, and now a third one awaits in late November. After two events in quick succession in Europe, the circuit moves next month to its big prizemoney conclusion in Zuhai where the 2023 Champions will be crowned at Kitefoil World Series China.

Results Men

1. Maximilian Maeder SGP Gold
2. Lorenzo Boschetti ITA Silver
3. Denis Taradin CYP Bronze

Results Women

1. Lauriane Nolot FRA Gold
2. Breiana Whitehead AUS Silver
3. Julia Damasiewicz ITA Bronze

Full results available here.

Related Articles

56th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères day 2
Hyères demands patience before the Mistral with sunset finish Racing in Hyères can test every sinew and synapse, and the second day of the 56th French Olympic Week (Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères - Toulon Provence Méditerranée) was a test of patience. Posted today at 7:16 pm
Sail Canada at 2025 French Olympic Week Day 1
Clara Gravely is in 7th place in the ILCA 6 fleet Here are the highlights of Sail Canada's National Team on Day 1 of the 2025 French Olympic Week held April 21-26 in Hyères, FRA, the second event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series. Posted on 21 Apr
56th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères day 1
“Best day ever” as French Olympic Week sets sail in Hyères The 56th edition of French Olympic Week (Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères - Toulon Provence Méditerranée) began in classic Côte d'Azur conditions as 729 competitors from 56 nations started six days of racing. Posted on 21 Apr
Australian sailors ready to build momentum
At French Olympic Week in Hyères Australian sailors are ready to launch into the next phase of their international season at French Olympic Week. Posted on 21 Apr
8 Canadians set for French Olympic Week
The French Olympic Week competition will be held April 21-26 in Hyères A total of eight Canadian sailors will take part in the second event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, French Olympic Week, to be held April 21-26 in Hyères, FRA. Posted on 18 Apr
An example of sustainable tourism
At the 54 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels The Mallorcan Olympic classes regatta mustered more than 1,000 sailors from 54 countries base line numbers which reflect a good increase in hotel occupancy in low season, attracting a more conscious and respectful visitor profile. Posted on 15 Apr
One week to Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères
More than 800 athletes are expected ifor this unmissable event With one week to go until the 56th edition of the Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères - Toulon Provence Méditerranée (France's famous Olympic sailing week) the intense level of competition is becoming clearer. Posted on 11 Apr
Mini Globe Race, Princesa Sofía Mallorca news
McIntyre Mini Globe Race news, Princesa Sofía report, Charleston Race Week As global financial markets melt faster than spring snowpack in the American West, I find myself daydreaming more and more of simply setting sail. Posted on 8 Apr
Wilson wins Princess Sofia Trophy
As Brits dominate in Palma Sailors Emma Wilson and Micky Beckett spearheaded a massive nine-medal haul - the best in the event's history - at the LA 2028 cycle curtain raiser. Posted on 7 Apr
Emma Wilson crowned outright champion
Overall winner of the 54 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca Winner of the Women's iQFOiL windsurfing competition, Great Britain's Emma Wilson has been crowned outright champion of 54 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels. Posted on 6 Apr
Switch One DesignSelden 2020 - FOOTERMySail 2025