Pianosi and Turienzo conquer the Formula Kite Junior World Championship in the heart of the Atlantic, Terceira, Azores
Hello family! In the heart of the Atlantic, Terceira, Azores , the island of volcanoes, became the most brutal battleground for the Formula Kite Youth World Championships 2025 .
SUELTALABARRA family! What happened in this championship was absolutely insane. With giant waves, unpredictable gusts, and shifting winds, the fleet faced a true test of nerves, skill, and resilience. This week wasn't for the faint of heart; it was for wind warriors !
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🌪️ The unstoppable Pianosi retains his crown with a display of power!
What a season this star is having! Fresh off his victory at the Senior World Championship in Sardinia, the Italian @riccardopianosii arrived in the Azores brimming with confidence. But the Atlantic didn't make it easy for him; defending champion @gianstragiotti (SUI) and the always dangerous @maxmaeder (SGP) were ready to give him a run for his money.
The week was a bloodbath of regattas with gales and rough seas that pushed everyone to their limits. The courage of future stars was on full display, such as the Colombian Jean-Paul Liechti Villegas (@jeanpaul_liechti), just 13 years old, showing spectacular composure (Special mention and applause for this homegrown talent, COL!), and the Thai Thanawat Promwaen , barely 10 years old, who took on the challenge of taming the waves.
The Moment of Truth: In the final, with Pianosi , Maeder , Stragiotti , and Vojtěch Koska (CZE) in contention, a dramatic start left Maeder caught in a wind hole. Pianosi didn't let up. He seized the lead, and from that moment on, he was a rocket with no looking back.
Crossing the finish line first, Riccardo Pianosi secured his second world title of the year . "I'm very happy with this victory on a difficult day. The conditions haven't been easy this week, but it turned out well in the end. This season couldn't end better!" said the champion.
⚔️ Turienzo's Argentine grit defends his reign to the very last meter!
In the Women's category, the battle was personal. @catalinaturienzo (ARG) and @derinatakan (TUR) faced off once again. Derin, the European Junior Champion, was aiming for a second title, but Cata, already a two-time Junior World Champion, was ready to defend her crown tooth and nail.
They were joined in the final by two rising stars: Derin Deniz Sorguc (TUR) and the Polish @karolinajankowskaa (POL). Huge respect to the Polish athlete, who raced all week with a bandaged finger after an injury!
A Heart-Stopping Finish: Atakan came out swinging, forcing Turienzo to splash down, which took the final to a second race. The pressure was immense. Another mistake by the Argentinian gave Atakan the victory... but wait! A penalty for the Turkish kite for touching a kite with right of way gave Cata the title shot .
Catalina Turienzo successfully defended her junior world title! "It was blood, sweat, and tears for me, but I pushed until the very end," said the Argentine, proudly displaying the Argentine flag, demonstrating that each title feels like her first. Poland's Karolina Jankowska earned a well-deserved bronze medal for her perseverance and courage.
🏆 Formulakite Podium!
2025 Formula Kite Youth Worlds, MALE
🥇 Riccardo Pianosi (ITA) - @riccardopianosii
🥈 Gian Andrea Stragiotti (SUI) - @gianstragiotti
🥉 Vojtech Koska (CZE)
4th Maximilian Maeder (SGP) - @maxmaeder
5th Lucas Fonseca (BRA)
2025 Formula Kite Youth Worlds, FEMALE
🥇 Catalina Turienzo (ARG) - @catalinaturienzo
🥈 Derin Atakan (TUR) - @derinatakan
🥉 Karolina Jankowska (POL) - @karolinajankowskaa
4th Derin Deniz Sorguc (TUR)
5th Gal Boker (ISR)
2025 Formula Kite Youth Worlds, U17
🥇 Archie Budd (GBR) 🥈Alex D'Agostino THA
🥉Jean Paul Liechti Villegas COL
Only picture I have
2025 Formula Kite Youth Worlds, U17 FEMALE
🥇 Karolina Jankowska (POL) - @karolinka._.jankowska
2025 Formula Kite Youth Worlds, U15 podium
🥇 Jean Paul Liechti Villegas (COL) - @jeanpaul_liechti 🥈Thanawat Promwaen THA
🥉Esteban Bernarn Pacheco Pillet PER
Listen up, everyone ! If we're talking about breaking records and brutal speed on the water like we saw in the Azores, we're talking about the Flysurfer Sonic 5. This foiling machine is pure adrenaline and performance. If you want to feel like you're flying and leave everyone else in the dust at your spot , head over to the website now and get your hands on the Sonic 5 rocket!
Information source: IKA media/Robert Hajduk 📸 @r_hajduk , International Kiteboarding Association (IKA). Follow them at @kiteclasses for more awesome content.
