Dramatic finals crown Huang and Turienzo - International Kiteboarding Association

Qibin Huang of China and Argentina’s Catalina Turienzo have been crowned the 2026 Skoda Formula Wing Youth World Champions after a dramatic final day in Urla, Turkiye, with both titles decided in races packed with incidents. In excellent 11-18 knot conditions on the Mediterranean, most of the riders opted for their biggest kites and the finals delivered fast, close racing. Turienzo completed a near-perfect championship to claim a fourth Youth World title, while Huang finally secured the crown at his fifth and final attempt after a late penalty reshaped the men’s final.

Turienzo went into the women’s final as the outstanding qualifier and chose to be the only starboard starter. However the race quickly turned chaotic as Turkiye’s Derin Atakan, Russia’s Svetlana Trusova and China’s Suofeiya Li came blasting towards the line on port.

As the three riders crossed, Li appeared to lose her balance whilst crossing Trusova’s wake and was thrown dramatically into the air. The fall forced Turienzo to take evasive action, costing the championship favourite precious ground and allowing the leading pair to move clear.

Turienzo, though, remained composed. She needed only one leg to find her rhythm again and reached the top mark in front. From there she controlled the race to the finish, completing a championship in which she had won all but one of the races.

The 20-year-old's victory was particularly significant because it was her final Youth Worlds appearance. She will be too old to compete next year, but can boast four world titles.

“The final was so spicy,” said Turienzo. “I think it was the most difficult race of the week. I think the wind was around 16 knots and I was on my 15 metre. But I’m so happy. I worked so hard all year. I tried to stay calm before the race which wasn’t easy but now I’m so, so happy.”

The men’s final produced an equally dramatic twist.

Brazilian Lucas Fonseca was the only rider starting on starboard and, as he crossed the line, Swiss rider Gian Stragiotti was travelling too fast to avoid him and brushed Fonseca’s kite with his shoulder. Stragiotti, the 18-year-old who had been the dominant rider throughout qualifying, was handed a penalty.

It effectively ended his hopes of winning the championship, leaving Chinese rider Qibin Huang with a crucial strategic decision to make.

Huang realised that the penalty had been issued and, rather than risk losing his position, deliberately held second place. He crossed the line just behind Stragiotti, a result that was enough to secure the world title.

For Huang, it was the culmination of four years of trying. “I came here saying I must win this Youth World title,” said the 20-year-old. “After four years of trying, this is the fifth Youth Worlds and I finally pulled it off at my last chance.”

Stragiotti was left to reflect on what might have been after dominating much of the week. “Qibin got the win and deserved it,” he said. “I’ve had a good week and won most of my races in qualifying, so I can’t complain.”

With both champions competing at their final Youth Worlds, the victories in Urla marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next for two of Formula Kite’s leading young riders.

Full results of Men's and Women's medal series can be found on the results page of this website.