Qualification intensifies at Youth Worlds - International Kiteboarding Association

Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti survived a dramatic second day at the 2026 Formula Kite Youth World Championships in Urla, Turkey, retaining the men’s lead despite being disqualified from two races, while Argentina’s Catalina Turienzo continued her remarkable domination of the women’s fleet with four more victories. With eight races now completed, qualification for Sunday’s Medal Series is beginning to intensify.

Stragiotti had looked set for another straightforward day after winning the opening two races, but his fortunes changed dramatically in the afternoon. The Swiss rider was judged to have started early in both races seven and eight, receiving UFD disqualifications.

Fortunately for Stragiotti, the championship format allows competitors to discard two results. His double setback therefore had no impact on his overall position and he will return to the water on Thursday still wearing the leader’s yellow bib. The 21-year-old was still smiling afterwards as he explained how the drama unfolded.

“I was on the big kite and powered up to start with, I was the only one on a 21m (kite) before changing down to a smaller one. Then I got two UFDs, it’s never happened before but today I did it two times in a row so it was a bit of a special day. I guess I just pushed the starts too much.”

China’s Qibin Huang remains second overall but also endured a frustrating day. After again showing good speed in the early races, Huang became tangled with Karl Maeder during a rounding in Race 7. The incident ended the race for both riders.

Huang’s misfortune opened the door for compatriot JiaYi Tian, who claimed his first race win of the championship. The Shanghai Sailing Team rider has moved into third overall and believes the starts are proving decisive in the competitive men's fleet.

“We had a fun time on the water. We’re competing right from the start line because if you get the start right you’ll be first to the top mark.”

Conditions were stronger than on the opening day, with 11-14 knots providing more pace but also testing the riders’ ability to read the shifting breeze.

“Conditions were harder today. There were some failed port starts, some good port starts also some false starts so it’s a chance to get some good scores if you’re lucky. But you still have to push. It’s tight at the front,” said Poland’s Piotr Szymiec.

In the women’s fleet, meanwhile, Turienzo continued to set the standard. The Argentinian, fresh from winning the Youth European Championship last month, has now won all eight races in Urla and has established herself as the rider to beat.

Turkey’s Derin Atakan remains her closest challenger, although Russia’s Svetlana Trusova made an impression on day two by beating Atakan into third in the final race. Trusova sits third overall.

The battle for the remaining qualifying places is also tight. Only 8 points separate second from fifth with Derin Deniz Sorguc currently occupying sixth and facing an increasingly intense fight to secure a place in Sunday’s Medal Series.

“It was an intense day in the women’s fleet. Sometimes one is passing then another went ahead. It was full on in every race. I’m pretty tired now!” said the Turkish rider, who was competing on a 15m kite.

With the top 10 riders in each fleet qualifying for Sunday’s Medal Series, every point will become increasingly valuable as the championship progresses.

Poland’s Karolina Jankowska, competing for the U17 title, is another rider making her mark, sitting eighth overall after two days.

“Tomorrow we expect a bit more wind so we might be on the elevens. I’m enjoying it here, there’s wind every day and the water gets deep quickly so it’s easy to launch,” she said.