Gisela Pulido starts the Formula Kite World Cup in the ‘Top 10’

MADRID, 14 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Spanish sailor Gisela Pulido has finished in seventh provisional position on the first day of the Formula Kite World Championship, the last regatta before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and which will be held until Sunday in Hyères (France).

The Catalan, who will participate this summer in the Olympic event, achieved a 6-2-3-4, although a protest for the right of way earned her a disqualification in her best round, the second, finally occupying seventh place in the provisional classification .

The Frenchwoman Lauriane Nolot, defending champion, gave no chance and won all the races, closely followed by her compatriot Jessie Kampman, who only failed in one with one second. In total, 46 registered participants divided into two groups are fighting for the medals.

The wind was strong at the start of the championship, with gusts of up to 27 knots, rain clouds and seagulls that created chaotic conditions to fulfill the planned program in both the women’s and men’s categories.

Among the men, with 79 riders from 32 countries, the current champion, the Singaporean Maximilian Maeder, also leads, although he is tied on points with the Brazilian Bruno Lobo and the Frenchman Axel Mazella. Among the Spaniards, Alejandro Climent is in 27th place, followed by Jacobo Espi (39), Carlos Espi (54) and Leonard Collado (60).

The qualifying series will last until Thursday, with the fleets, already divided into Gold and Silver groups, and Bronze for the boys, going on to compete in the final series. Sunday is reserved for the Medal Series, with semifinals and final.