Formula Kite, 2026 World Championships: Maeder world champion, Pianosi fifth

Maximilian Maeder is the 2026 Formula Kite World Champion. The Singaporean dominated the World Championship in Viana do Castelo from start to finish, taking the world title with an exceptionally consistent performance on the Portuguese Atlantic waters. Behind him were Switzerland's Gian Stragiotti and Austria's Valentin Bontus, the reigning Olympic champion.

Riccardo Pianosi finished fifth. The 2025 world champion from Pesaro, part of the Gruppo Sportivo Marina Militare, mounted a comeback after a difficult start, climbing to provisional third place yesterday before dropping two places in the final heats. Lucas Fonseca (Brazil) finished fourth, and Bruno Lobo (Brazil) sixth.

In the women's event, gold went to France's Lauriane Nolot, who overturned the provisional standings and took the title she had long sought. Defending champion Jessie Kampman (Netherlands) took silver, while Switzerland's Elena Lengwiler took bronze. Daniela Moroz, a seven-time world champion and one of the favorites going into the event, finished fourth.

Final men's ranking (top 10)

1.Maximilian Maeder (SGP)
2.Gian Stragiotti (SUI)
3.Valentin Bontus (AUT)
4.ucas Fonseca (BRA)
5.Riccardo Pianosi (ITA)
6.Bruno Lobo (BRA)
7.Haoran Zhang (CHN)
8.Quibin Huang (CHN)
9.Jannis Maus (GER)
10.Martin Dolenc (CRO)

Final women's ranking (top 10)

1.Lauriane Nolot (FRA)
2.Jessie Kampman (NED)
3.Elena Lengwiler (SUI)
4.Daniela Moroz (USA)
5.Wan Li (CHN)
6.Lysa Caval (FRA)
7.Si Wang (CHN)
8.Chenxue Liu (CHN)
9.Izabela Satrjan (POL)
10.Lily Young (GBR)

The 2026 Formula Kite World Championship was organized by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) in partnership with the Portuguese Sailing Federation and under the aegis of World Sailing, with the support of FeelViana Sport Hotel, the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal, the Municipal Council of Viana do Castelo, and Ocean Winds.