The dream blossomed in Cagliari finally comes true: The Olympic debut of kite is approaching
by Kitefoil World Series 3 Aug 2024 23:54 NZST
Riccardo Pianosi to take in the Olympics with Italy Team © IKA Media / Robert Hajduk
Since 2012, Cagliari and Sardinia played a key role in the approach of the discipline to its Olympic premiere on Sunday, August 4th in the waters of Marseille. Next October 1st to 5th, Cagliari will host the Olympic revenge with the Sardinia Grand Slam and the IKA Kitefoil World Series.
Kiteboarding is racing in full spring towards its debut at the Olympics on Sunday, August 4th in the Gulf of Marseille (France). At Paris 2024, Italy will be represented by Riccardo Pianosi among Men and Maggie Eillen Pescetto among Women. Sardinia and Cagliari will also enjoy this debut with special feelings: the Island and its capital, location of the first Kite Racing competition at a global level in 2012, played a key role toward the Olympic discipline of this spectacular sailing discipline.
Names (and faces) like Toni Vodisek and Maximilian Maeder, Daniela Moroz and Lauriane Nolot, passing through Axel Mazella, Denis Taradin, Gisela Pulido and Elly Aldridge are really familiar to Sardinia's enthusiasts. These top athletes of the discipline punctually for some years now return to put on a show at the Sardinia Grand Slam, one of the most loved and appreciated events by the World's champions.
After accompanying kiteboarding to its Olympic debut in Paris 2024, Cagliari and Sardinia continue on focusing on the great autumn classic in the Golfo degli Angeli. Second round of the IKA Kitefoil World Series, the Sardinia Grand Slam 2024 will be held from Tuesday to Saturday, October 1st-5th with headquarter at Poetto beach.
Now in its eighth edition, organized by GLEsport with the technical sports collaboration of Chia Wind Club and under the aegis of IKA (International Kiteboarding Association), the Sardinia Grand Slam shines among the Kitefoil World Series rounds. This year IKA's prestigious competion will start in Austria, in Traunsee (September 4th-8th) to end in China at Pingtan Beach (October 29th-November 2nd).
Meanwhile there's a lot of Sardinia in Paris. The Singaporean Maeder is the reigning champion of the Sardinia Grand Slam. The Slovenian Vodisek claimed the world title at Poetto in 2022, just like US' Daniela Moroz, who triumphed in Cagliari on several occasions. French Mazella left his mark among Men both in 2019 and 2021, whilst Pianosi has been adopted by Cagliari. Sardinia's capital is getting ready to cheer for him, in the hunt for a historic podium, in the historic Olympic debut of the kiteboarding.
The Sardinia Grand Slam - IKA Kitefoil World Series is an event promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Crafts and Commerce, with the support and patronage of the Municipality of Cagliari, Department of Sport, Leisure and Sports Facilities.