Pianosi and Turienzo Triumph in Wild Atlantic Showdown

Terceira, Azores, the island of volcanoes and vast Atlantic skies, provided a breathtaking yet brutal stage for the 2025 Formula Kite Youth World Championships.
With big swells, unpredictable gusts and shifting winds, riders faced a true test of skill, nerve and resilience amid the dramatic backdrop of the Azores.

Pianosi world champion, again
Fresh from his senior World Championship victory in Sardinia just weeks earlier, Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi arrived on Terceira riding a wave of confidence. But if the 20-year-old thought another title would come easily, the Atlantic had other ideas.

© IKA media/Robert Hajduk: The weather pushed sailors to their limits

Defending champion Gian Stragiotti and Singapore’s Max Maeder were among a strong fleet determined to stop the Italian’s winning streak. Over a week of ferocious racing, competitors battled relentless squalls and huge seas that pushed even the most experienced riders to their limits.

The event also shone a light on the sport’s future stars: Jean-Paul Liechti Villegas, just 13, displayed remarkable composure and consistency for Colombia, while Thailand’s Thanawat Promwaen, aged only 10, earned admiration for his courage as he took on the towering swell.


© IKA media/Robert Hajduk: Carmel Avisar [ISR] won the Golden Ticket to the final

When the final showdown came, the line-up reflected age and experience: Pianosi, Maeder, Stragiotti and Vojtěch Koska of Czechia. A dramatic start saw three kites surge forward while Maeder was left struggling in a wind-hole.
Pianosi seized the lead, Stragiotti edged past Koska, and from there the Italian never looked back.

Crossing the finish line first, Pianosi clinched his second world title of the year. “I’m so happy about this win on a tricky day. Conditions have not been easy this week but it’s been good in the end. This season can’t finish better than this!” said the 20 year old who also won the senior and youth European titles this year.

© IKA media/Robert Hajduk: Tight racing at Praia da Vitória

Turienzo’s grit sees her take one more Youth World title
The women’s competition reignited a familiar rivalry between Turkey’s Derin Atakan and Argentina’s Catalina Turienzo, the pair proving again to be the benchmark for the fleet.
Atakan was chasing a double crown after her Youth European title in the summer, but Turienzo – already a double youth world champion – was determined to defend her crown.

Joining them in the final were two of the sport’s rising talents; Derin Deniz Sorguc of Turkey and Karolina Jankowska of Poland. The 15-year-old Pole impressed all week despite racing with a bandaged finger – an injury sustained when her control bar exploded mid-race days earlier.

Atakan, who had endured a challenging week and qualified second for the final, came out fighting. Under pressure, Turienzo crashed, allowing the Turk to win and force the final to a second race.


© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk: Karolina Jankowska [POL]

Another splashdown for the Argentinian saw her beaten again into second place by Atakan. The Turkish rider’s victory should have sealed her the title but a penalty for allowing her kite to touch a right-of-way kite, meant Turienzo got the win and defended her Youth World title.

A beaming Turienzo returned to shore wearing the blue and white flag of Argentina before diving into the ocean to celebrate. “It was blood, sweat and tears for me but I pushed ’til the end,” she said proving every title feels just as good as the others.
Jankowska’s consistency earned her a well-deserved bronze.

A test of courage in the Atlantic
From the youngest competitors braving towering swells to the seasoned riders mastering the gusts, the 2025 Formula Kite Youth Worlds in the Azores was a week that tested the mettle of every athlete.

For our champions, it’s time to change tack for a moment; Pianosi is off to Africa with his new wife, windsurfer Giorgia Speciale for their honeymoon. Turienzo, returns to earth with a bump, when she faces a series of exams as part of her course in Business Administration.

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