Gizzeria builds to final showdown at Youth European
It’s been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast, and Gizzeria has put on a great show as host of the 2025 IKA Youth European Championships. With three titles already decided, all eyes now turn to Sunday’s climactic Medal Series for the Men’s and Women’s divisions.
Young Champions Crowned
Three age-group titles have been clinched ahead of the final day
• Jean-Paul Villegas, the 13-year-old Colombian, outclassed older competition to claim the U15 title.
• Molly O’Brien, just 12, brought the U15 girls’ title home to the United States, showing exceptional maturity and control throughout the week.
• Canada’s Nathan Pearce captured the boys' U17 title, and by breaking into the Gold Fleet, proved he can challenge the sport’s rising elite.
Women's Showdown: Atakan vs. Turienzo
The Women's event has been a two-horse race between Turkiye’s Derin Atakan and Argentina’s Catalina Turienzo, who between them have won every single race so far. As top qualifier, Atakan – last year’s silver medallist – enters the Final as the favourite, but Turienzo is not far behind. Fellow Turk Derin Deniz Sorguc will join them in the semi-finals after finishing fourth overall. “I’m really happy. I even won a race today,” she said, smiling as she packed up her kite under the hot Italian sun.
Also straight into the semis is Ella Geiger of Great Britain. The Antiguan-raised rider secured third overall, finishing 14 points clear of Sorguc – a testament to her raw pace and consistency throughout the week.
Croatian Marija Dolenc just made the medal series cut in ninth place. “The first three days were really strong for me, but in lighter winds, it comes down to strategy and tactics – and that’s where it got harder,” she admitted.
