2025 IKA Youth European Championships in Gizzeria, Calabria - Day 1
by International Kiteboarding Association 3 Jul 06:14 NZST
30 June - 6 July 2025
2025 IKA Youth European Championships in Gizzeria, Calabria - Day 1 © IKA Media / Robert Hajduk
Some of the world's best young kite foilers started racing today in southern Italy aiming to become Youth European champions.
Excellent conditions of 10-14 knots of thermal breeze saw racing kick-off on the shimmering Mediterranean waters of Hang Loose Beach club in Gizzeria, Calabria.
Hot competition in men's fleet
The IKA Youth European Championships is an Open competition meaning there are also 13 riders competing from outside the continent: 4 women and 9 men. The Men's fleet saw 43 athletes start their qualifying races in two fleets, with each fleet racing four times today.
Back to defend his European title is Riccardo Pianosi who won all four races here today. The Italian is under intense pressure from the 2024 silver medallist Gian Stragiotti. The Swiss rider won the Youth Worlds at this same venue last year and is looking in good form in early qualifying.
Adding a new dimension to the fleet is Stepan Benes of the Czech Republic. Fresh off his triumph as the U17 Formula Wing European Champion, Benes is turning his attention to kitefoil racing. His transition between disciplines almost ended before it began, "Being a Wingfoiler I have no Kite equipment and was asking to borrow some. But nobody had any I could use," he explained. "My Dad told me we had 15 minutes to register or we'd be out of time and have to go home. Then coach Tomek Janiak asked around and found some from the Poland team. I was very lucky at the last minute".
Headlining the Open championship is Max Maeder of Singapore. Still only 18, the Olympic bronze medallist dominated his fleet in today's qualifying but admitted he's wary of the opposition, "Four wins out of four doesn't get much better than that. I believe there are a few people here who could do really well.
In the other fleet Riccardo Pianoso has won all his races today and Jan Koszowski was on my tail every single race today. I believe Sam Dickinson and Lucas Fonseca are also strong riders I need to look out for."
Spotlight on the women's field
Last year's champion, French rider Lysa Caval is too old to defend her youth title, so the 15-strong women's competition is wide open. One of those expected to shine is 2024 European silver medallist Derin Atakan of Turkey. The 19 year old has both vital experience and the confidence of a woman who already won the youth Worlds a couple of years ago. Day One saw her pushed to the limit by Argentinian Catalina Turienzo, "Me and Catalina were pushing a lot in all the races. We were match racing really, pushing each other more and more."
Turienzo arrives in Gizzeria off the back of an amazing 2024 that saw her win the Youth World title across two age groups. The South American can't win the European title but could win the event overall and will certainly be a target for the other riders.
More great conditions are expected for the rest of the week in Gizzeria with the competition climaxing with the medal series on Big Sunday, 6 July, as the thrilling Golden Ticket Race opens the day—offering one final chance for competitors outside the top 9 to earn their place in the medal series, taking place later that day.
The event will conclude with a dazzling prize-giving ceremony, celebrating the youth stars of tomorrow.
Experience the excitement as it unfolds with live race updates, results, and behind-the-scenes features on IKA's social media channels. Daily media content will also be made available.
More information and full results here