Strong winds brought competition to a halt on day two of the Formula Kite Youth World Championships in Terceira, but that didn’t stop the young athletes from making the most of their time on the island.
With kites grounded for safety, riders swapped the racecourse for some local exploration, enjoying the sunshine and meeting the island’s famous cows, renowned for their role in producing the Azores’ world-class cheeses.
© IKA media/Robert Hajduk
It also provided a valuable moment for mentorship, as experienced riders shared advice and encouragement with newcomers chasing their first world titles.
Among those gaining attention are four promising young athletes from South America, all eager to make their mark on the global stage.
At just 13 years old, Esteban Pacheco from Peru is one of the youngest competitors in the fleet. With the next Pan American Games set to take place in his home city of Lima in 2027, Esteban is already setting his sights on representing his country on home waters.
© IKA media/Robert Hajduk
Fellow 13-year-old Jean-Paul Liechti Villegas from Colombia has also impressed early on.
On the opening day of racing, he never finished outside the top 25, a remarkable achievement against older and more experienced rivals.
Olympic medallist and joint-leader Max Maeder praised the young Colombian’s composure, “He does so well and holds his ground. He races consistently even in difficult conditions and that’s something to be in awe of.”
© IKA media/Robert Hajduk
From Brazil, Lucas Fonseca, 19, sits fifth overall after an impressive trio of fourth-place finishes on day one.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Catalina Turienzo continues to show the form that saw her crowned Youth World Champion last year. The 19-year-old Olympian is locked in a close duel with Derin Atakan, with the two friends pushing each other hard at the top of the leaderboard.
“We’ve been battling each other for a long time and I think it’s important that we’re good friends,” said Turienzo. “We respect each other, and that’s the most important thing in sport.”
© IWSA media/Robert Hajduk
The championships have brought together 47 riders from 19 nations, along with their support teams, injecting both colour and commerce into Terceira’s coastal community.
Local organiser Rita Borges praised the efforts of all involved: “We’ve had great support from the Azorean government. The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, so the local government is free to decide how to spend its budget. The Portuguese sailing association has also been a big help.” .
© IKA media/Robert Hajduk
Borges added that the event’s success goes beyond competition: “Everyone has kept up their enthusiasm, especially the volunteers who are always here early and work long hours to keep things running. The athletes are putting on a show, and nothing beats seeing the smiles and hugs when they return to shore.”
© IKA media/Robert Hajduk
With more strong winds forecast for Thursday, organisers are keeping a close eye on conditions, but racing is expected to resume mid-morning with 6 races planned.
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