2026 Kitefoil World Championships, Day 2: Light winds test New Zealand contingent in Portugal
Lukas Walton-Keim remains the leading New Zealander after another demanding day at the Formula Wing World Championships in Portugal, as light and unstable winds created a major contrast to the heavy conditions that tested the fleet on opening day.
Walton-Keim sits 22nd overall in the men’s standings after racing was limited to just two heats in the difficult breeze off Viana do Castelo, while fellow Kiwi Lochy Naismith sits 36th overall after producing his best result of the regatta so far — 13th in the final race of the day.
In the women’s fleet, Lucy Bilger is 28th overall after racing was abandoned for the day before the female competitors could complete another heat.
After surviving stormy and demanding conditions on day one, sailors returned to a vastly different racecourse overnight (NZ time), with inconsistent and fading wind forcing organisers into a race against time to complete a shortened schedule.
Competitors launched on time in anticipation of improving breeze, but the wind never fully established itself, allowing officials to complete only two men’s races before conditions deteriorated further.
Lukas Walton-Keim (second from right) waiting for the breeze to build on day two of the regatta. Photos / Robert Hajduk, IKA Media
The fluctuating conditions created dramatic swings throughout the fleet, including for defending world champion Riccardo Pianosi, who endured one of the biggest setbacks of the day.
The Italian crossed the line first in his Yellow Fleet race before learning he had been disqualified for an early start, dropping him to 11th overall despite beginning the regatta among the favourites.
Germany’s Jannis Maus inherited the race victory and continued his consistent start to the championship, while Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti retained second overall after limiting the damage in difficult conditions.
Singapore star Max Maeder again proved the benchmark in Blue Fleet, producing another dominant race win to continue his outstanding opening to the regatta.
The 19-year-old crossed the line a full minute clear of the field and has now won four of his opening five races to establish himself as the early championship favourite.
Click here for the full results and latest standings.
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