PKRA Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
2006 Fuerteventura World Cup – Day 2
Fuerteventura PKRA Kiteboarding Grand Prix 2006
Competitors and spectators were greeted to more incredible wind and clear skies in Fuerteventura for the second day of the PKRA Grand Prix 2006. The riders rigged up their smaller kites to handle the gusty 25 to 30 knots of wind and PKRA officials continued to run two man heats instead of four for safety reasons as well as ease of judging. The first riders took to the water around 11 am for the continuation of the single elimination tournament, which was successfully completed by 4 pm. Conditions were challenging for the competitors as the waves continued to grow in size throughout the afternoon, nonetheless they persevered, striving for the goal of close to $50,000 USD in prize money.
In the first heat of the day, Mallory De la Villemarqué (North, France) landed a technical frontside 3 against Youri Zoon (Slingshot, Netherlands), however, he did not exhibit enough variety and power to secure a spot in the next round. Best team members, Alvaro Onieva (Spain) and Bas Koole (Netherlands) ripped up the water next. Alvaro displayed his usual bag full of tricks including a blind judge, a back to blind, a raley to blind, a hasselhoff, a double front to blind, and a mobe to advance against his teammate, Bas. Cesar Portas (North, Spain) and Philipp Brückmann (Carved, Germany) followed, with Cesar nailing a powerful mobe to downloop and a blind judge to stay in the tournament before meeting up with Kevin Langeree (Naish, Netherlands) in the third round.
In arguably the best seven minutes of kiteboarding for the day, Ruben Lenten (Slingshot, Netherlands) and cousin, Kevin Langeree were on fire, shooting off trick after trick, getting the crowd cheering. Kevin nailed a sweet frontside 3, a handlepass, an amazing mobe 5, a KGB, and a hasselhoff, while Ruben answered back by going big with an F16 grab and a kung fu. Ultimately, in a close judge’s decision, Kevin secured the win, advancing to the next round. Following the pair of Dutch cousins were Cabrinha team members Alberto Rondina (Italy) and Petr Tyushkevich (Russian Federation) in yet another exceptionally close heat. Alberto pulled off a nice slim, front to blind, and a backside 3, but it wasn’t enough to defeat Petr’s arsenal of tricks such as a fat chance, 3-1-3, raley to blind, slim, and a frontside 3.
Rui Meira (Naish, Portugal) and Randy Hereman (F-One, Netherlands) battled it out in another close match, but Randy was on a mission, sticking a blind judge, a powerful mobe 5, and a kiteloop to move ahead into the next round of the single elimination tournament where he would meet up with PKRA points leader, Aaron Hadlow. Finishing up round two, Mikael Blomvall (JN Kites, Sweden) landed a nice blind judge, mobe, and slim to take out Lorenzo Giovanneli (Slingshot, Italy), while Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, UK) moved past Erik Volpe (Italy) with an aerial back to blind and a sick kiteloop handlepass
Third round action pitted Youri Zoon against Alvaro Onieva in a close heat, however, Youri was unstoppable, displaying tons of power and energy to earn his place in the semifinals. Kevin Langeree faced Cesar Portas in a heat where variety ended up being the key for success. Although Cesar nailed a strong mobe, blind judge and an aerial back to blind, Kevin was on like crazy glue, sticking an F16, a 3-1-3, a frontside 3, mobe to wrapped, KGB, and a hasselhoff to move on to meet fellow Nethlerlander, Zoon in the next round. Petr Tyushkevich, also showed off a variety of powerful tricks, blasting a sick fat chance, slim chance, and blind judge to advance against Mikael Blomvall, who rallied valiantly with an aerial back to blind and double S bend. Next out of the gate were Randy Hereman and Aaron Hadlow, both going for it and giving the beach plenty to cheer about. Randy landed a powerful raley to blind and super powered kiteloop, however, Aaron continued to impress the judges with his variety and clean, technical moves giving him the edge over Hereman.
The beach was in a frenzy for the semifinals with the intense action on the water. Aaron Hadlow and Petr Tyushkevich both were charging, using the waves and trying to outdo each other. Aaron ended up the victor based on variety and power of his tricks, even giving the crowd a show with a huge, high kiteloop close to the beach. Also in the semifinals, fellow Dutchmen, Kevin Langeree and Youri Zoon put on an amazing display of moves, each rider wanting a spot in the finals versus Hadlow. Youri stuck a mega kiteloop, a kung fu 3, and a technical front mobe, but it wasn’t enough to stop the energy-filled Kevin from advancing with a powerful frontside 3, KGB, and difficult mobe 5.
The close competition continued in the loser’s final where Youri squared off against Petr. Youri banged out a huge F16, front mobe, handlepass with a 360, and a quality blind judge 3 to secure him third place overall. The men’s single elimination finals once again paired rivals Kevin Langeree and Aaron Hadlow in a nailbiting showdown. Kevin, eager for another win, was ripping, landing a frontside 3, a sick hasselhoff, and an aerial back to blind, but it was not quite enough to edge out Aaron, who was determined to take first, nailing an F16, an aerial back to blind, and a massive kiteloop. Kevin will have a chance to seize the top spot in the tournament during the double eliminations, which begin tomorrow.
First up for the women were Angela Peral (North, Spain) and Karolina Winkowska (Naish, Poland). Karolina dominated the heat with lots of variety, such as a kung fu, big air jumps with grabs, and riding to blind. The next heat featured Ania Grzelinska (North, Poland) versus Wiktoria Boszko (North, Poland) in an incredibly close bout. Ania blasted off a kiteloop, a front, a back, and a raley, but North teammate, Wiktoria, edged past her with a nice back roll, krypt, and a very technical raley to blind with surface handlepass. Jo Wilson (Naish, UK) then faced off against Pauline Boussard (Wipika, France). Jo tore up the water, getting lots of air with grabs and showing off a variety of powered tricks, meanwhile, Pauline landed front and back rolls, and a one foot jump, but it wasn’t enough to prevail against the determined Brit.
In one of the most exciting heats of the day, World Champion Kristin Boese (Best, Germany) faced Gisela Pulido (Airush, Spain). Both nailed technical handlepasses, though Kristin pulled out the victory with more unhooked tricks, like the back to wrapped and the raley to blind, to move on to the semifinals. In the women’s semifinals, Wiktoria Boszko was overpowered in the strong winds, which allowed Karolina Winkowska to advance with a front to blind, a krypt, a surface pass, and a kung fu. The superstar performer of the day, Jo Wilson, continued her charge, landing a front spin with a grab, a sick raley, an indy, a krypt, and a front to toeside, for the upset over Kristin Boese, to advance to the finals.
The loser’s final featured Kristin versus Wiktoria Boszko. Kristin was charging with a perfectly executed front roll with a grab, a raley, an unhooked double front, and a krypt, securing third place in the women’s single elimination tournament. The women’s final between Jo Wilson and Karolina Winkowska was action packed. Karolina stuck a variety of tricks, including a kung fu and a krypt, but it wasn’t enough to stop Jo Wilson from taking first place with her big air grabs and powered moves. Kristin, Wiktoria and Karolina will have a second chance in the double elimination tournament starting tomorrow to continue their quest for the top position overall.
The Speed Grand Prix event has been extremely challenging so far with sideshore winds and large waves to contend against. The morning runs, when the water is a bit flatter, have proven better for results, with speeds hitting the 40 knot mark. Currently Christophe Prin-Guenon (Naish, France) is in first place for the men with 1.4 total points and a top speed of 40.75 knots - only .04 knots away from the world record! Charlotte Consorti (France, F-One) is in the number one position for the women with 2.7 points overall and a top speed of 29.55 knots. Many riders have been experiencing extreme crashes and suffering broken bones as a result. Yesterday, speed rider John Grimm (Best, US) was taken to the hospital after a wipe out left him with two broken ribs, but today he was seen walking around the event site encouraging fellow riders, although disappointed to be out of the competition. Tomorrow promises more excitement on the speed course as past world record holder Manu Taub (Wipika, France), along with last year’s winner Sebastien Cattalan (France), continue their pursuit of the new world record.
The skipper’s meeting is at 10 am tomorrow with a first possible start at 11 am. Riders will try to move ahead in the competition rankings during the double elimination tournament, which begins tomorrow. A DJ will be in the event tent starting at 11 pm tonight and every night this week.
Be sure to check out www.caribbeanwinds.com for a live tournament ladder, updated statistics, great photos, and videos of the event!
For live results and contest ladders log on to:
Caribbeanwinds.com
Labels: Airush, Best Kiteboarding, Cabrinha, Competition, Contest, Naish, North, Pulido, Ruben Lenten, Speed
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