The Italian Hydrofoil Championship of the Kiteboarding Class Italy, held in Gallipoli from October 29 to November 2 ended with a record number of races held (26) and the satisfaction of the organizers, athletes and federal institutions.
The success of the event is the result of a considerable effort by the organizing committee chaired by the “Club Velico Le Sirené” and with the decisive technical support of Locals Crew Salento and the staff of the “EcoResort Le Sirené”. Fundamental also the support of the FIV affiliated sailing clubs of Gallipoli: “Circolo Vela Gallipoli”, “LNI Sez. Gallipoli”, “ITS Vespucci A.s.d”, and partners such as “Scuola di Mare Gallipoli”.
Campionato Italiano Hydrofoil Locals Crew Salento – Momento della partenza
For 4 days the Gulf of Gallipoli was colored by a fleet of 40 kiters who fought for the award of the titles of Italian champion of the discipline Kite Foil OPEN and Italian Youth Championship U17 and U19.
Optimal conditions allowed the race committee, chaired by Federal Judge Claudio Alessandrello and composed by the zonal UDRs, to hold 26 races for the Open fleet and 21 races for the very young, a record never achieved in a sailing regatta.
The fleet was enriched with an international touch thanks to the extraordinary participation of the multiple World Champion of this specialty, the Monegasque Maxime Nocher, the Slovenian Toni Vodisek (Silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympics), the Croatian Martin Dolenc (present in the world top ranking) and the Polish team that had as coach the former champion Tomek Niebrzydki, who brought two strong boys and two girls; an international breath that launches Gallipoli as a spot for hydrofoil at European level.
The multiple World Champion: Maxime Nocher
The first day ‘was the windiest, with 8 races with winds over 15 knots, which have immediately delineated the positions in the top ranking in Overall, while it promises to be very fought the women’s one in addition to the lower steps of the national podium. The days continued until Monday with a lighter wind, where the specialists of the big wings have changed a bit ‘their positions. Tight fight until Monday, a few mistakes cost Vodisek a few positions, while Maxime’s speed consolidates him in the lead and acquires an advantage that allows him to sail without pushing too much and leave space to Toni who, despite being able to string a series of “bullets”, are not enough to overturn the overall podium.
An excellent Mario Calbucci brings home some good placings and consolidates the second place overall against Martin Dolenc, also winning the Italian Title 2020.
The fights for the Master and Grand Master categories were great, full of competition without giving space to anyone.
The very young U17s, who all raced with Kite Pumps, showed a huge talent and a remarkable growth, in 2021 they will all be in the front line with the new class “Youth Foil Arrows” that, we remind you, in July will debut in Gizzeria with the Youth World Championship. These young talents who are already flying over 30 knots on the water will certainly give us great satisfaction in the future.
The curtain falls on the Italian Kite Foil Open Championship and Italian Youth Championship FIV U19/U17 2020.
During the ceremony, the FIV President Eighth Zone, Alberto La Tegola, has supported a lot the activity of Kite for the near future and has hinted that Puglia wants to be at the forefront with the future programming by increasing the activity of Kiteboarding in view of the Olympics in Paris 2024.
Thanks also to the sponsors Caroli Hotels, Camer Petroleum, Kamisurf, Moses Hydrofoil, the institutions, the Italian Sailing Federation, the management of EcoResort Le Sirene’ and all the staff, a perfect job that has guaranteed the safety and the anti COVID protocols to protect the athletes and all the staff. In short, a perfect location that hosted a perfect event.
The spot that hosted the competition – Ecoresort Le Sirenè