Formula Kite Europeans: Gold Fleet Goes All In

The pressure intensified at the 2026 Türk Telekom Formula Kite European Championships as the top 25 men met in Gold Fleet for the first time, completing four races, while the women completed five back-to-back races to bring the schedule back on track.

A more stable 10-12 knots breeze across the race course made kite selection far more straightforward than on previous days. Most of the men’s fleet opened the first race of the day on 21m kites before switching down to 15m kites as the thermal breeze built, while the women remained powered on their 15m setups throughout the afternoon.

Akyaka’s signature flat water and consistent wind placed a premium on speed and precision, with riders pushing hard to close every gap on the racecourse.

Men’s Gold Fleet: Starts, Speed and Sink-or-Swim Stakes

Bringing the top 25 men together on one start line immediately changed the starting dynamic. Securing a strong position towards the pin end on starboard became a key objective for riders seeking clear air, while those caught mid-line or towards the committee-boat end faced heavier traffic.

China’s Qibin Huang (sixth overall) delivered a solid performance, backing up two fifth-place finishes with a second place in the final race.

“Four races today felt like heaven compared to six yesterday,” Huang noted. “We had very good conditions with everyone pushing at high speed. Today it was all about the true spirit of the start. Everyone is focusing on getting the best spot, so it gets really tricky, but whoever gets off the line best reaches the upwind mark in front.”

For Riccardo Pianosi (ITA, third overall), the flat water placed a premium on outright pace. After switching from a 21m to a 15m kite and scoring a bullet, Pianosi retained his place in the top three.

“In a place like Akyaka with flat water like this, speed is everything. When you have speed, everything gets easier, but you have to push nonstop from start to finish.”

For Karl Maeder (SUI, eighth overall), the mental battle was as intense as the physical one. After gaining two places in the overall standings, Maeder reflected on handling the pressure.

“There are moments in an athlete’s career where you’re forced to perform - either sink or swim,” Maeder admitted. “I felt super nervous and scared, but I put all the doubts aside, stayed focused on what I had to do, and pushed through.”

Women’s Fleet: Fast, Tough and Exhausting

The women’s fleet maintained a relentless pace to complete five back-to-back races, testing endurance throughout the fleet.

Elena Lengwiler (SUI), who climbed from third to second in the overall standings, capitalised on her consistency across all five races.

“It was fast and tough,” Lengwiler said. “Every meter counted and every mistake was costly. Racing full speed for 12 minutes at 34 to 35 knots in this heat really wears you down, so you have to fight for every centimeter.”

Reigning World Champion Lauriane Nolot (FRA, third overall) echoed the physical strain despite enjoying the tight battles at the front.

“Exciting and challenging racing, but five long races is exhausting,” Nolot said. “It was all about the starts with so many kites stacked on the line. My legs are shaking now - I just want food, physio, and my bed!”

The Final Push for the Top 10

Friday marks the final day of fleet racing before the cut is made for Saturday’s Medal Series on 12 September. With only the top 10 riders advancing to fight for the podium, Friday represents the final opportunity to secure vital points on the leaderboard.

Everything is on the line in Akyaka, with four races scheduled and the first warning signal set for 13:00 local time.

Top 5 Leaderboard After Day 4 I 2026 Türk Telekom Formula Kite European Championships

Men’s Fleet
Maximilian Maeder (SGP) - 12.0 points
Gian Stragiotti (SUI) - 19.0 points
Riccardo Pianosi (ITA) - 24.0 points
Valentin Bontus (AUT) - 40.0 points
Vojtech Koska (CZE) - 41.0 points

Women’s Fleet
Jessie Kampman (NED) - 22.0 points
Elena Lengwiler (SUI) - 26.0 points
Lauriane Nolot (FRA) - 30.0 points
Wan Li (CHN) - 43.0 points
Breiana Whitehead (AUS) - 53.0 points