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TECHNICAL INSIGHT AND TEAM SUCCESS: AXEL MAZELLA AT DEFI 2026

May 24, 2026 / Kite Wing

Ozone R&D engineer, Axel Mazella, returned from the 2026 Defi Kite and Defi Wing with an impressive victory on the Ozone R1 kite and a groundbreaking podium finish on a parawing prototype (in the wing class!)

TESTING THE R1 IN GRUISSAN

We are very pleased to share that Axel Mazella took the top spot at the Defi Kite 2026 this year. In the demanding and often unpredictable conditions of Gruissan, Axel chose the Ozone R1, a kite he knows intimately through his daily work as a full-time member of our R&D team.

While no single piece of equipment is ever the “perfect” solution for every rider or every race, seeing the R1 perform so reliably under Axel’s guidance is a rewarding validation of the long hours our team spends refining these designs.

https://ozonekites.com/app/uploads//2026/05/Axel-Defi-Kite-win-reel-FINAL-lowres.mp4

https://ozonekites.com/app/uploads//2026/05/Axel-parawing-edit-rev005.mp4

EXPLORING NEW DIRECTIONS: THE PARAWING PROJECT

Axel also took part in the Defi Wing event, where he finished in a hard-fought second place. Rather than using a standard wing, Axel used this as an opportunity to real-world test a new Parawing prototype currently in development. At Ozone, we believe there is no substitute for the feedback gained with a jersey on and a clock running. Having one of our lead R&D members on the podium with an unreleased concept is an exciting milestone for the project, suggesting we are on the right track as we continue to explore the possibilities of this new discipline.

A NOTE ON OUR PROCESS

 

At the heart of Ozone is a small, dedicated group of people who love the wind. Axel’s results at Defi are a credit to his skill as a pilot and his dedication as an engineer. By testing our own prototypes in the world’s most challenging events, we ensure that when a product finally reaches you, it has been refined by the very people who designed it.

Read more about Axel and his work with the R&D team here:

Read more

A NOTE ON OUR PROCESS
 
At the heart of Ozone is a small, dedicated group of people who love th
A NOTE ON OUR PROCESS
 
At the heart of Ozone is a small, dedicated group of people who love th

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