Bontus wins European silver in comeback season

Valentin Bontus won silver at the Formula Kite European Championship in Akyaka, Turkey, on Saturday, adding to his Olympic gold and two world bronze medals, ORF reported. “It is my first European Championship medal. I am incredibly happy,” said the 25-year-old from Yachtclub Podersdorf.

Switzerland’s Gian Stragiotti won the European title, while Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi took bronze.

Bontus had already secured a medal after reaching the Grand Final. Singapore’s Max Maeder, who was seeded for the final, did not count in the European rankings. That allowed Bontus to take more risks, he said.

“The silver medal was the absolute maximum. It hardly gets much better,” Bontus said. He returned to competition after suffering a torn cruciate ligament in April 2025.

“I can hardly believe that we performed so well in our comeback season and at our main event,” Bontus said. His previous major results included Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 and world championship bronze medals in 2024 and 2026.

Bontus will now take a holiday in Greece before beginning preparations in October for the world championships in Fortaleza, Brazil, in January. The first national qualification spots for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will be awarded there.

“Max Maeder and Gian Stragiotti are absolutely top class. We will have to work hard to get on their nerves a little more,” Bontus said. He added that he was very satisfied with his comeback season and could build on it.