World Champion in Cagliari

Kiteboarder Jessie Kampman was crowned world champion in the Olympic Formula Kite discipline on October 5 in Cagliari, Sardinia. The 24-year-old Team Allianz athlete, representing the national selection of the Dutch Watersports Association, had impressed throughout the entire week. The France-based kitesurfer, who competes under a Dutch passport, entered the final on match point alongside three other kiteboarders. In the opening final race, she crashed while leading and with gold within sight, but bounced back emphatically in the second race to claim her first world title.

A Thrilling Final

Kampman faced defending world champion Lauriane Nolot of France in the final, with Nolot also qualifying directly for the medal race. Six-time world champion Daniela Moroz of the United States and Great Britain’s Ellie Young joined the pair after coming through the semifinals to complete a formidable four-woman field.

The first kiteboarder to score two so-called win points would be crowned world champion. Kampman was the only rider to already have one win point, earned by topping the standings in the opening rounds.

Kampman made a flying start in the first final race and quickly established the lead. After two laps, she was charging towards the finish at around 75 km/h in a strong and highly gusty Mistral wind. But on the final gybe, she lost control and crashed — just as Nolot had done earlier in the race.

Moroz seized the opportunity to overtake Kampman and claim a win point. The result left the American, a six-time world champion, and Kampman level on one win point.

In the second final race, Kampman dominated once again. This time she made no mistakes, crossing the finish line in convincing fashion to secure the world title.

Shortly after claiming her first world championship, an emotional Kampman reflected on the intensity of the week, the pressure of the final and the long road she had travelled to return to the top of the sport.

“It still feels unreal,” Kampman said. “The whole week was building towards this moment, but when I crashed on my gybe in the first race, I really thought, ‘&^%#.’ But I told myself: the next one is mine! And it worked. I had a really sharp start and wondered if I had gone too early — apparently not. World champion. I still can hardly believe it.”

Kampman has fought her way back from a serious injury and also changed her sporting nationality.

“I’m so happy to be back at this level. It says everything about believing and trusting in your team. Without my training partners Duuk [van Hees, ed.] and Tijn [Rolff, ed.], my coaches Casper [Bouman, ed.] and Aaron [McIntosh, ed.], and everyone who is here, I could never have done this. I’m incredibly happy with the team.”

A Dominant Championship

Kampman took the yellow leader’s jersey on the opening day and never relinquished it. With remarkable consistency and blistering speed, she extended her advantage day after day. Her commanding performance earned her a direct spot in the four-rider final, where she started from pole position, although her substantial points advantage was reduced to a single win point.

“My only mission on Saturday was to sail every race cleanly because I had already used my discard results,” Kampman said ahead of the final. “I didn’t want to force anything — and it turned out to be my best day of the week. Whatever happened, I was already proud of how I had sailed.”

With the world title, Kampman caps an impressive season in which she has underlined both her consistency and her mental resilience. Earlier in the year, she helped the Dutch team win the Sailing Grand Slam Series in Los Angeles, at the venue that will host the Olympic sailing events.

Her victory in Cagliari confirms Kampman’s status as one of the sport’s elite riders and establishes her as a serious medal contender for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where Formula Kite will feature on the programme for the second time.

2025 Formula Kite World Championship – Women, Cagliari

Kampman topped a world-class international field that included six-time world champion Daniela Moroz (USA), defending champion Lauriane Nolot (FRA) and Olympic champion Ellie Aldridge (GBR).

1. Jessie Kampman (NED)
2. Daniela Moroz (USA)
3. Lauriane Nolot (FRA)
4. Lily Young (GBR)
5. Breiana Whitehead (AUS)
6. Elena Lengwiler (SUI)
7. Derin Atakan (TUR)
8. Ellie Aldridge (GBR)