Lorenzo Casati has secured a podium finish at the Hydrofoil World Championship in Sylt, Germany, ending a versatile competitive season with top-five rankings in two distinct disciplines. The Italian rider finished third in the hydrofoil event and secured fifth place overall in the 2024 Strapless world rankings.
The result in Sylt confirms Casati's standing as one of the most technical multi-discipline athletes in the sport. Competing on Levitaz Hydrofoils and HARLEM Kitesurfing equipment, he navigated a field of specialists to claim his spot on the season-end podium.
Podium Performance in Sylt
Casati's third-place finish in the Hydrofoil World Championship came after a tight battle in the North Sea conditions. He shared the event podium with Hugo Wigglesworth, Finn Flügel, and Marten Koblischke. The result in Germany mirrors his final standing for the year, as he officially takes third place in the overall Hydrofoil World Championship standings.
The transition between disciplines proved successful for Casati, who has focused on expanding his competitive range beyond his Big Air roots. His performance on the foil demonstrated a high level of technical precision required for the World Tour circuit.
Finished 5th in the world overall in Strapless this year, my best season so far, so definitely a lot to be happy about.
Strapless Excellence and Quarterfinal Exit
In the Strapless discipline, Casati reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by James Carew. Carew proved to be the dominant force of the competition, winning both the Sylt event and the overall World Championship title.
Despite the quarterfinal exit, Casati produced some of the highest statistical markers of the competition. His performance in Round 3 was a highlight of the event, where he recorded:
- The highest total heat score of the round.
- The highest single wave score of the entire event, a 7.77.
- A final season ranking of fifth in the world for the Strapless discipline.
Gear and Support
Casati credited his performance to a refined gear setup, specifically citing his partnership with HARLEM Kitesurfing for his kite and wing requirements. His hydrofoil setup was provided by Levitaz Hydrofoils, while his technical apparel and harnesses were supported by Mystic Boarding.
Additional support for his 2024 campaign included Capital.com, MobiMatter, the Surfr App, Tribala Travel, and Lumin Cremia.
A Career Best Season
The dual rankings represent Casati's most successful season to date in terms of overall consistency across different formats. By maintaining a third-place rank in Hydrofoil and a fifth-place rank in Strapless, he establishes himself as a threat in any conditions, moving away from being viewed solely as a Big Air specialist.
Casati indicated that the results in Sylt provide a strong foundation for his future campaigns. With the 2024 World Tour events concluding, he enters the off-season as one of the highest-ranked all-around kiters on the global circuit.
