Stragiotti and Turienzo in command - International Kiteboarding Association

Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti continued his remarkable domination of the Skoda 2026 Formula Wing Youth World Championships in Urla, Turkiye, winning every race he has completed and building an 11-point lead at the top of the men’s fleet. Argentina’s Catalina Turienzo also remains unbeaten in the women’s competition. With just one day of qualifying remaining, the fight for the top 10 places and Sunday’s Medal Series is reaching its climax.

Conditions were light on day three, with winds of just 8 to 11 knots before dropping to around 6 knots later. The lighter breeze made every tactical decision crucial as the riders battled to stay on their foils and find the best shifts.

At the front of the men's fleet, Stragiotti continues to look almost untouchable. The 18-year-old from Zurich has won every race except for two disqualifications for early starts on day two.

A three-time Youth World champion, Stragiotti now holds a commanding advantage and has effectively secured his place in Sunday’s Grand Final, leaving the main battle behind him.

Second-placed Qibin Huang of China is locked in a fascinating fight with Brazil’s Lucas Fonseca, with just seven points separating the pair. Huang, 20, is drawing on experience from the Olympic and Asian Games as he attempts to improve on the silver medal he won at the 2023 Youth Worlds in Torregrande.

Fonseca pushed the limits in Race 10, however, when his starboard start took him just centimetres from the pin end of the line. The Brazilian was judged to have crossed early and was disqualified but took the decision philosophically, “It’s turning into a super close battle with Qibin. The UFD was unfortunate and then Qibin overtook me in the last race of the day on the downwind, but it’s all part of the game. Hey, there’s more racing tomorrow and the aim is to make it straight through to the Grand Final, so we’ll see.”

Switzerland’s Karl Maeder enjoyed a day of recovery after yesterday's difficult run of results saw him score maximum points in three races and tumble to 10th overall. A second and third place today helped him climb back to eighth, but the competition behind the leaders remains fiercely contested.

“I’m exhausted, there were so many close battles but also moments when you needed to use your head and analyse from above a bit. We’re all really fighting hard, Qibin, Lucas, Nell and Charlie we’re all really pushing it,” Maeder said.

The women’s fleet has a similarly dominant leader. Turienzo remains unbeaten and looks almost certain to qualify directly for the Grand Final, continuing the form that has made her the standout rider of the championship so far.

Turkey’s Derin Atakan remains on course for the second automatic Grand Final place, although the 2023 Youth World champion endured an uncharacteristically mixed day. She was black-flagged in the opening race before recovering, but a sixth in the final race was another result below her usual standard.

One of the most intriguing stories in the women’s fleet is the progress of Italy’s Maddalena Spanu. Better known as a Formula Wing world champion, the 18-year-old is also competing in Formula Kite this season and currently sits fifth.

“This competition has started pretty well and I’m definitely happy with fifth place after three days. The big difference I’ve noticed between Kites and Wings is that the kite goes faster and I still need to work out how to make my kite go quicker. But I’m really comfortable on the kite and am enjoying it.”

Spanu is currently competing successfully in both disciplines, but remains unwilling to reveal which one will ultimately take priority.

One final day of qualifying remains, with the top 10 riders earning their place in Sunday’s Medal Series and the chance to fight for the Youth World titles.