2026 Kitefoil World Championships, Day 4: Kiwis battle brutal conditions as regatta nears dramatic conclusion
New Zealand riders battled punishing conditions on day four of the Kitefoil World Championships in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, as the regatta edged closer to a dramatic conclusion.
Lukas Walton-Keim (pictured above) posted a best finish of 16th across four demanding races in the men's gold fleet overnight (NZ time) to sit 22nd overall heading into the penultimate day of qualification.
Fellow Kiwi Lochy Naismith also made significant gains, climbing four places to 10th in the silver fleet — and 35th overall — after recording three top-10 finishes in four completed finals races.
In the women’s competition, Lucy Bilger enjoyed her best day of the championship, moving up two places overall and edging closer to the top 20.
Day four produced some of the most dramatic racing of the regatta so far, with riders forced into survival mode as gusts reached 27 knots alongside strong currents and a heavy Atlantic swell.
Conditions tested the entire fleet as the championship entered its decisive phase, with qualification for the medal series nearing completion.
Lucy Bilger (fourth from left) has moved into 22nd. Photos / IKA Media
In the men’s fleet, Singapore sensation Max Maeder continued his near-flawless campaign despite the chaos on the water.
Swiss rider Gian Stragiotti remains second overall but suffered a costly setback after an early-start penalty in the penultimate race allowed reigning world champion Riccardo Pianosi to close within a single point.
The battle for the final medal series positions is also intensifying, with only seven points separating Croatia’s Martin Dolenc in ninth from China’s Huang Qibin in 11th.
Greece’s Cameron Maramenidis currently occupies the crucial 10th position after rebounding strongly from two earlier disqualifications to keep his championship hopes alive.
In the women’s fleet, defending world champion Jessie Kampman retained the overall lead, although for the first time this week the Dutch rider showed signs of vulnerability, recording two seventh-place finishes — her first results outside the top three all regatta.
French rival Laurianne Nolot also faltered under pressure, finishing outside the top 10 in one race, leaving just a single point between the pair heading into the final stages of qualification.
China’s Liu Chenxue produced one of the standout performances of the day, claiming a race victory and two second-place finishes to leapfrog teammate Wang Si in the standings.
The fight for the final women’s medal series berth also tightened dramatically, with Switzerland’s Elena Lengwiler and Argentinian youth world champion Catalina Turienzo separated by only three points after both endured difficult days in the challenging conditions.
Latest results and standings here.
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