2025 Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Türkiye - Overall
by International Kiteboarding Association 20 May 05:48 AEST
11-19 May 2025
Second European title for Riccardo Pianosi [ITA], third for Lauriane Nolot [FRA] © IKA Media / Robert Hajduk
Racing couldn't have been more dramatic in the medal series day of the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships. With too many passes to count, a steady eight knots and smooth, turquoise water provided a perfect playing field in Urla.
Two titles, two champions
The march through the quarter finals and semi finals was do or die for the 16 finalists on Monday: top two moved on, other two went home.
In the men's fleet, Switzerland's Gian Andrea Stragiotti was the last man standing from the quarter finals, making it all the way to the grand final. He was joined by Cameron Maramenides of Greece who made it through the semi finals.
Italy's Riccardo Pianosi started the first-to-two-wins grand final with one win, a reward for dominating the qualifying series. He only needed one win to be the champion.
His antagonist, Max Maeder of Singapore, was looking for a fight, waiting all afternoon for the final.
It didn't take long for Pianosi and Maeder to clash. In the first rounding of the grand final, all four riders dove into the weather mark, shoulder to shoulder, and Pionosi's kite folded over Maeder's.
Referees flagged the incident, and reviewed drone and camera footage. Pianosi received the only penalty of the grand final and the win went to Maeder, putting them both on match point heading into race two.
Despite a late charge by Stragiotti, Maeder held off a final gamble by Pianosi on the final downwind leg and floated two elegant jibes with the precision of a surgeon to win the European Open Championship. Pianosi in second was crowned the European Champion. Stragiotti is the European silver medalist and Maramenides received the bronze medal.
"I was in a good position for the upwind mark but unfortunately the other two were very close and I couldn't make the best jibe, but that's the race," said Pianosi about the defining incident of the grand final. "Max had an amazing race, he sailed clear especially in that first race and I'm happy for him."
Maeder praised his co-competitors for a week of intense racing. "It's a really great experience to have outstanding competitors," said Maeder. "I was pushed to my limits by the people around me, Riccardo especially. They bring out the best in me.
Nolot back in love
Lauriane Nolot of France and Lily Young of Great Britain waited patiently in the Grand Final for Lysa Caval of France and Catalina Turienzo of Argentina. The two riders blitzed the quarter finals and semi finals to make it to the finals.
Turkiye's Derin Atakan had her hands on a ticket to the grand final, running second in the semi finals on the last downwind until a small but painful crash dashed the local's hopes for a podium finish.
Leading into the finals Nolot had one win already, and, like Pianosi, could take the championship in the first race.
After a cramped start, she was leading the fleet all the way around while Young took up a familiar place on her heels. Disaster struck no lot when a rough, whitewater streak shot from her foil after the first leeward mark. With debris wrapped around her foil, she struggled, pumping her board, while young passed to weather even while she freed the mess.
"On the second lap I took something from the foil, I was just trying to remove it and I couldn't, I was screaming, 'No, no, no. Why me? Why now!'" said Nolot about the moment. "I had to push like I never did before. I really didn't expect this after breaking my ankle and six months of rehab, I fell in love with the sport again."
The two were glued to each other on the final run until Nolot pressed Young into the corner, jibed first and blazed over the top to take her third european title.
Young took the silver and Caval the bronze leaving Turienzo in fourth.
The 2025 Formula Kite European Championship showcased rising talent pushing 2024's champions, and Turkiye and Fenerbahce Sports provided a world class sailing venue.
The racing could not have been closer, the weather was stunning and the first senior championship of this Olympic cycle has proven that the new kite and foil designs, new rules and the same crazy drive from the riders is producing the best racing in the world.
Results Men
1. SGP, Maximilian Maeder [open trophy]
2. ITA, Riccardo Pianosi
3. SUI, Gian Andrea Stragiotti
4. GRE, Cameron Maramendes
5. POL, Jan Marciniak
6. FRA, Benoit Gomez
7. BRA, Bruno Lobo [open trophy]
8. CZE, Vojtech Koska
Results Women
1. FRA, Lauriane Nolot
2. GBR, Lily Young
3. FRA, Lysa Caval
4. ARG, Catalina Turienzo [open trophy]
5. POL, Isabela Satrjan
6. TUR, Derin Atakan
7. ESP, Gisela Pulido Borell
8. POR, Mafalda Pires De Lima
Full results available here.