Daniela Moroz Wins 2021 Formula Kite European Championships
Californian kite foiler Daniela Moroz has emerged victorious in the 2021 Formula Kite European Championships held in Montpellier, France. According to the news we received from US Sailing, Moroz “sailed a stellar regatta and successfully navigated the new format of Formula Kite championship racing on the same waters where the sport of kiteboarding first originated in the mid-1990s.”
“I’m super-happy with how the Europeans went — I think it sets me up really well for the Worlds [in Sardinia, Italy] next month,” said Moroz. “It was awesome to have Charlie McKee [two-time Olympic bronze medalist — Bend, Oregon] as our coach. Our squad has been working on a few things in preparation for the Worlds, and the Europeans acted as a perfect dress rehearsal.”
Fellow American competitor Markus Edegran (pictured below with Moroz) from Sherman Island, CA, placed 16th in a very competitive fleet of 90 men. Following the championships Edegran said, “In the new racing format, we sailed through a few stages, which was different from most sailing formats I’ve experienced. But it was exciting and I was happy with how I handled each stage. Unfortunately, I got knocked out earlier than my goal, but I’m feeling positive and I’m looking forward to a better result at the World Championships.”
Moroz, Edegran, and Charlie McKee are returning to California, where they’ll reconnect with the rest of the US kite foil squad for a final training camp before the Worlds.
US Sailing Team head coach Luther Carpenter said the experience of having Moroz and Edegran compete in France was valuable to the team in preparation for the upcoming race events. “We have a strong domestic squad that’s been working incredibly hard …
“And now Daniela, Markus, and Charlie are bringing back everything they’ve learned to help the kite foil squad grow together.”
We wrote about Moroz in Latitude 38‘s June issue, as the four-time world champion was preparing for kite foiling’s entry into the 2024 summer Olympic Games and settled into her new role aboard TeamUSA’s SailGP Formula 50 catamaran. Moroz’s win adds to the speedster’s growing list of racing achievements including two Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year awards, Rolex Sailor of the Year in 2018, and three Open European Champion awards.