News
Aussie takes podium at Formula Kite Asian Championships
Published Thu 30 May 2019
Australian Natalie Flintrop-Clarke has placed third at the 2019 Formula Kite Asian Championships Women's Open Division during the latest race series in China.
Poland’s 14-year-old Magda Woyciechowska placed first with training partner and fellow countrywoman Julia Damasiewicz placing second.
China’s Jingle Chen came fourth, hindered by light wind, however it was enough to secure her the Formula Kite Asian crown.
Competition spanned 16 races over four days and was held at Guangxi province’s Beihai city.
Woyciechowska said the win hadn’t sunk in yet.
“I’m really, really happy,” she said.
“But it hasn’t really sunk in yet. This is the first international competition where I’ve won. I had many second places and Jingle Chen was good, but unlucky when her kite went down. It’s so important to be consistent.”
Russian Denis Taradin won the men’s division, securing the 2019 International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) Formula Kite Asians “open” title. Italy’s Mario Calbucci took second place, with Turkey’s Ejder Ginyol third.
Singapore’s 12-year-old Max Maeder finished sixth overall and took home the Formula Kite Asian crown.
Taradin said his ability to make the most of the lighter breezes gave him the edge.
“It was a great regatta,” said Taradin.
“I can’t remember the last time we had 16 races, so it was nice. It was good racing. I felt for me it was extreme because of the light wind. But with my experience I could make it work even in 5kts or 6kts when it was difficult for the others. I’m pleased with the result.”
2019 IKA Formula Kite Asian Championships
Men (Open)
1 Denis Taradin (RUS) 14pts
2 Mario Calbucci (ITA) 30pts
3 Ejder Ginyol (TUR) 39pts
Women (Open)
1 Magdalena Woyciechowska (POL) 22pts
2 Julia Damasiewicz (POL) 32pts
3 Natalie Flintrop-Clarke (AUS) 41pts
Men (Asia)
1 Max Maeder (SNG) 57pts
2 Qibin Huang (CHN) 86pts
3 Zhang Hao Ran (CHN) 95pts
Women (Asia)
1 Jingle Chen (CHN) 44pts
2 Benyapa Jantawan (THA) 55pts
Full results: http:/www.formulakite.com/results