Formula Kite Youth & Masters Worlds 2014 - Results

[Toby]

IKA News:

BRASILIAN VELOSO (MASTER) AND FRENCH NOCHER (YOUTH) World champions FORMULA KITESURF

A fresh Scirocco wind blowing south east has caractarized the four Medal races in the last day of the event in Cagliari.

Brasilian Wilson Veloso (Master) canadian Adam Vance (Grandmaster) from French Maxime Nocher (Youth) Swiss Astrid Berz (women master) and Russian Elena Kalinina are the new world champions Formula kite.

The windy and succesfull week of competition was organized by Yacht Club Cagliari in cooperation with Esercito Italiano (Italian Army), involving 48 athlets from 25 nations.

Veloso have been controlling the come back of a determined Tomek Janiak as well as Maxime Nocher in the Youth versus Maks Zakowski.

The riders yesterday have been visiting Cagliari by night and his monuments thanks to a tour hosted by International event speaker Pietro Porcella.

At the prize giving was present the mayor of Cagliari Massimo Zedda.
World champion Grand Master Adam Vance (Canada).Winner Under 18 was Axel Mazella (France) and Elena Kalinina (Russia).

Best Italian was Enrico Tonon, second in the Grand Masters.

Photo winners n. 28 Veloso (BRA) n. 20 NOCHER (FRA) (photo credit Franco Nonnoi)

2014 Formula Kite Youth and Masters World Championships

OVERALL FINAL

Youth U 18 Men
1. Axel Mazella (FRANCE)
2. Theo De Ramecourt (FRANCE)
3. Martin Dolenc (CROATIA)

Youth U 18 Women
1. Elena Kalinina (RUSSIA)
2. Anastasia Akopova (RUSSIA)

Youth U21 Men & OVERALL
1. Maxime Nocher (FRANCE)
2. Maks Zakowski (POLAND)
3. Florian Trittel (SPAIN)

Grand Masters
1. Adam Vance (CANADA)
2. Enrico Tonon (ITALY)
3. Miguel Villar (SPAIN)

Masters Women
1. Astrid Berz (SUISSE)
2. Ariane Imbert (FRANCE)
3. Kathrin Borgwardt (GERMANY)

Masters Men & OVERALL
1. Wilson Veloso (BRAZIL)
2. Tomek Janiak (POLAND)
3. Pedro Garijo Velasco (SPAIN)

[Toby]

Welcome to the ultimate medal and champion crowning day at the 2014 Kiteboard Youth & Masters World Championships. A dramatic change in atmosphere today, as clouds moved in to dominate the skyline and brought in big waves and a breeze of over 20 knots. You could feel the suspense in the air here at Poetto beach this morning, as the world’s top 10 riders in the Youth & Masters fleets prepared themselves for the 4 medal races which would decide the World Champion.

Ahead of the riders getting onto the track to start, some heartfelt words of “good luck and ride safe” were extended by the Race Committee. In the Youth feel, Maxime Nocher had a 5 point margin and had been the strongest rider all week, so just needed to sail safe and protect his lead. The Masters fleet was wider open, so it was an all or nothing gamble for those who took a more risky approach to racing, as they attacked at the front of the fleet.

In the Masters fleet, Tomek Janiak from Poland went into the day carrying a 6 point deficit to leading rider Wilson Veloso from Brazil. Tomek started strong, taking the first race win, following up with a second place and then two more wins. But with Wilson right behind him, finishing in second and claiming the other race win, Tomek’s impressive scorline just wasn’t enough to get past the Brazilian. So Wilson walked away with gold, Tomek silver, just 4 points behind, and securing the bronze medal was Spain’s Pedro Garijo Velasco, who sailed a conservative four races to finish in 3rd, 5th, 3rd, 4th and claim bronze with an 8 point margin. Stunning racing.

In the Youth Worlds fleet, the air was alive with tension as the world’s best youth sailors went head to head in the final showdown. Maxime Nocher from France had the advantage, sitting in first overall, 5 points ahead of Poland’s Maks Zakowski. Except for some unforeseen disaster, the gold and silver medals would be decided between these two riders.

Maks attacked first, unleashing some awesome power to take the first race win. Mak’s win seemed to ignite Maxime’s determination to claim gold, and he won the next three races back to back, scuppering any hope for Maks to stand on top of the podium. Gold to Maxime, silver to Maks and third to Spain’s Florian Trittel. The top girl was Russia’s Elena Kalinina, who finished in 10th overall, and also claimed the Under 18 title. Axel Mazella from France secured the boys under 18 title.

Five days of racing for the cream of youth and masters kiteboarding here in Cagliari, Italy was a real showcase of the excitement and thrill of kiteboard racing. The Kiteboard Youth & Masters World Championships enjoyed a perfect combination of shoreside hospitality, organization and weather conditions – yet again sealing Poetto Beach as a venue of choice for kiteboarders. The event was also a unique opportunity for the future stars of the sport to mingle and gain tips from the masters riders, who have quite a few years of experience on them. A great exchange of skills. Some great racing and great memories.

The Kiteboard Youth & Masters World Championships 2014 wrapped up with a fun filled medal ceremony. Lots of applause and celebrations. The riders also emphasized their thanks to the Organizers for a superbly organized Championship. See you next year!