It was a very wet and gloomy day in Surfer’s Paradise during the 2nd day of the PKRA in Australia. Rainsqualls swept through the area on more than one occasion throughout the morning and afternoon. It was the perfect weather conditions to make any quacking duck happy, but not so to the eager kitesurfer waiting on the beach.
Race director Olaf Van Tol had very tricky and difficult decisions to make whether or not to run the wave discipline heats. At around 2:00pm Van Tol released the freestylers for the day and would focus on running as many wave heats given the wind decides to cooperate.
A series of attempts to run the first set of heats were successfully completed once the wind became more suitable in the middle to late afternoon. A total of 2 heats were completed. Australian competitor Mike Walker (Globe, AUS) from the first heat defeated Kelby Bright (North, NZL) as well as Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) enabling him a place in the second round. Abel Lago (RRD, ESP) will also advance to the second round having achieved a better overall score eliminating Australian riders Matt Tobin (Slingshot, AUS) and Paul Jackson (Naish, AUS). The wind and wave conditions were extremely difficult and the wave selection was minima, but everyone made the best out of the conditions and turned out to be an overall successful day.
Shortly after 5:00pm the conditions became unsuitable and the competition was called off for the day.
Tomorrow’s weather report looks similar but it is constantly changing and extremely unpredictable so we are going to hope the rain gods let the sun and wind come out and play tomorrow.
The mandatory skippers meeting will be held tomorrow at 10:00am with a first possible start at 10:30am with the continuation of live streaming of the wave discipline from Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia.
The PKRA Gold Coast Kitesurfing Pro 2010 event is sponsored in part by Nissan, Cabrinha, Red Bull, Gold Coast International Hotel, Fakie and Temple with official partners Queensland Events, Gold Coast City Council, Tourism Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, Katz Management, Glamorous Life Swimwear, Lovebirds Australia, Mojoz Swimwear with special support by Minotaur Sports Management Party Ltd. MSL – Michael Sing Lawyers, Keystone Events and 12 Below.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
2010 Gold Coast Kitesurf Pro - Near Windless First Day of Competition
The Gold Coast extends from the Queensland Capital of Brisbane down to the New South Wales Border. With excellent transport infrastructure, hotels and a lively, welcoming atmosphere the Gold Coast is the perfect location to host Australia’s first ever Kiteboarding PKRA World Tour Event.
The weather conditions were not favorable in Surfer’s Paradise today, causing a slight delay for the kick off of the final tour stop of the PKRA World Tour 2010 season due to lack of wind. The wind was very unstable and would pick up to near 15 knots in front of the squalls and drop within minutes of the passing fronts. It would have been possible to run the competition if the wind direction would have been sideshore instead of full onshore. Due to the onshore wind, the wind speed would have needed to reach 20 knots or greater in order for riders to have enough power to fight against the current and kite away from the shore.
Even though heavy rainsqualls hovered over the event site throughout the day, the beach was crowded with spectators anticipating the wind to pick up in strength for some kiteboarding action. At 1:00pm PKRA race director Olaf Van Tol announced that all freestyle riders were released for the day as well as the long distance race competitors. It was a day of waiting for the wind, something that is extremely familiar to every eager kiteboarder.
Shortly after 5:00pm the wind and weather conditions were more favorable, however Van Tol decided to call it a day and released all riders.
Tomorrow’s mandatory skippers meeting is set for 10:00am.
The PKRA Gold Coast Kitesurfing Pro 2010 event is sponsored in part by Nissan, Cabrinha, Red Bull, Gold Coast International Hotel, Fakie and Temple with official partners Queensland Events, Gold Coast City Council, Tourism Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, Katz Management, Glamorous Life Swimwear, Lovebirds Australia, Mojoz Swimwear with special support by Minotaur Sports Management Party Ltd. MSL – Michael Sing Lawyers, Keystone Events and 12 Below.
The weather conditions were not favorable in Surfer’s Paradise today, causing a slight delay for the kick off of the final tour stop of the PKRA World Tour 2010 season due to lack of wind. The wind was very unstable and would pick up to near 15 knots in front of the squalls and drop within minutes of the passing fronts. It would have been possible to run the competition if the wind direction would have been sideshore instead of full onshore. Due to the onshore wind, the wind speed would have needed to reach 20 knots or greater in order for riders to have enough power to fight against the current and kite away from the shore.
Even though heavy rainsqualls hovered over the event site throughout the day, the beach was crowded with spectators anticipating the wind to pick up in strength for some kiteboarding action. At 1:00pm PKRA race director Olaf Van Tol announced that all freestyle riders were released for the day as well as the long distance race competitors. It was a day of waiting for the wind, something that is extremely familiar to every eager kiteboarder.
Shortly after 5:00pm the wind and weather conditions were more favorable, however Van Tol decided to call it a day and released all riders.
Tomorrow’s mandatory skippers meeting is set for 10:00am.
The PKRA Gold Coast Kitesurfing Pro 2010 event is sponsored in part by Nissan, Cabrinha, Red Bull, Gold Coast International Hotel, Fakie and Temple with official partners Queensland Events, Gold Coast City Council, Tourism Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, Katz Management, Glamorous Life Swimwear, Lovebirds Australia, Mojoz Swimwear with special support by Minotaur Sports Management Party Ltd. MSL – Michael Sing Lawyers, Keystone Events and 12 Below.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Andy Yates and Gisela Pulido Won the World title in New Caledonia
It has been a spectacular event here in Noumea, New Caledonia. All riders were on top of their game and did not take one minute for granted out on the water. It was an event full of action with really amazing heats. You couldn't ask for better wind conditions, it blew constantly the whole competition except for today during the final heat when it diminished a few knots. Most riders were full powered on 7m kites throughout the week. Numerous fans and locals were on the beach today cheering for their favorite riders with joy as they performed breathtaking tricks and super high jumps just above their heads.
There are two especially happy competitors today and I will begin with Australian rider Andy Yates (Slinghot, AUS) will be taking home his first ever PKRA World Title. What seemed like a dream yesterday is a reality today. Yates lost the first winner's final heat in a 3/2 judge's decision in favor of Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) who landed super sick tricks such as his opening powered triple combo with a frontmobe, blind judge 3 and 313. Both Yates and Zoon had a constant heat however Zoon's power and execution was better. In the second final round Zoon's energy level seemed to have dropped from giving everything he had in the previous heat. The wind dropped during the final heat and Zoon decided to change kite sizes from his 10m to a 12m while Yates kept on riding consistently on his 11m. Yates landed some very nice switch tricks such as a switch slim chance, switch kgb and a really nice switch blind judge 3, his frontmobe to blind and kgb to blind stood over Zoon's. Zoon was no stranger to the switch tricks either landing a nice switch NIS, and switch 313. The final result was a 4/1 judge's decision in favor of Yates labeling this his official world title heat and the PKRA 2010 men's freestyle champion.
Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) was also on fire throughout the event, especially in his first three heats today defeating Reno Romeu (North, BRA), Mario Rodwald (North, GER) and Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL). Pastor's energy level was a bit low during what would be a very important heat against Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED). Zoon eliminated Pastor in a close heat and moves up the ranking ladder. Local hero Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) had an amazing week here in his home country proving to all his hometown fans that he is also best of the best finishing in third place and his first freestyle podium this season.
In the women's freestyle division, Brazilian rider Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) had a super amazing heat today defeating Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR) by executing really nice tricks such as a huge slim chance and switch blind judge. Kajiya moved on to compete against Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) in the semi final but lost due to Pulido's super sick trick list such as a frontmobe, kite loop 360 pass and a kite loop slim chance. Pulido moved on to the final heat against Karolina Winkowska (Slinghshot, POL) where she would be defeated. Winkowska has really been on fire this competition, winning the freestyle single eliminations and now the double eliminations due to her overall better full powered tricks such as a nice blind judge 3 and a switch blind judge. Even though Pulido lost in the final heat of the day, she is still one of the happiest competitors because she was announced the official PKRA 2010 women's freestyle champion at the event podium this afternoon.
A big crowd gathered at the beach to watch the podium ceremony and to get a glimpse of the beautiful Teri girls in the Teri fashion show which is held every year here in New Caledonia following the Teri Kitesurf Pro event.
Thank you to everyone who helped out and made this event possible, especially the Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010, the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Le Meridien, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
The new world rankings will be posted on the PKRA website after the event www.prokitetour.com
COMPLETE FREESTYLE RESULTS HERE:
FREESTYLE DOUBLE ELIMINATION RESULTS
MEN
1. Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS)
2. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
3. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL)
WOMEN
1. Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL)
2. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)
3. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA)
There are two especially happy competitors today and I will begin with Australian rider Andy Yates (Slinghot, AUS) will be taking home his first ever PKRA World Title. What seemed like a dream yesterday is a reality today. Yates lost the first winner's final heat in a 3/2 judge's decision in favor of Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) who landed super sick tricks such as his opening powered triple combo with a frontmobe, blind judge 3 and 313. Both Yates and Zoon had a constant heat however Zoon's power and execution was better. In the second final round Zoon's energy level seemed to have dropped from giving everything he had in the previous heat. The wind dropped during the final heat and Zoon decided to change kite sizes from his 10m to a 12m while Yates kept on riding consistently on his 11m. Yates landed some very nice switch tricks such as a switch slim chance, switch kgb and a really nice switch blind judge 3, his frontmobe to blind and kgb to blind stood over Zoon's. Zoon was no stranger to the switch tricks either landing a nice switch NIS, and switch 313. The final result was a 4/1 judge's decision in favor of Yates labeling this his official world title heat and the PKRA 2010 men's freestyle champion.
Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) was also on fire throughout the event, especially in his first three heats today defeating Reno Romeu (North, BRA), Mario Rodwald (North, GER) and Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL). Pastor's energy level was a bit low during what would be a very important heat against Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED). Zoon eliminated Pastor in a close heat and moves up the ranking ladder. Local hero Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) had an amazing week here in his home country proving to all his hometown fans that he is also best of the best finishing in third place and his first freestyle podium this season.
In the women's freestyle division, Brazilian rider Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) had a super amazing heat today defeating Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR) by executing really nice tricks such as a huge slim chance and switch blind judge. Kajiya moved on to compete against Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) in the semi final but lost due to Pulido's super sick trick list such as a frontmobe, kite loop 360 pass and a kite loop slim chance. Pulido moved on to the final heat against Karolina Winkowska (Slinghshot, POL) where she would be defeated. Winkowska has really been on fire this competition, winning the freestyle single eliminations and now the double eliminations due to her overall better full powered tricks such as a nice blind judge 3 and a switch blind judge. Even though Pulido lost in the final heat of the day, she is still one of the happiest competitors because she was announced the official PKRA 2010 women's freestyle champion at the event podium this afternoon.
A big crowd gathered at the beach to watch the podium ceremony and to get a glimpse of the beautiful Teri girls in the Teri fashion show which is held every year here in New Caledonia following the Teri Kitesurf Pro event.
Thank you to everyone who helped out and made this event possible, especially the Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010, the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Le Meridien, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
The new world rankings will be posted on the PKRA website after the event www.prokitetour.com
COMPLETE FREESTYLE RESULTS HERE:
FREESTYLE DOUBLE ELIMINATION RESULTS
MEN
1. Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS)
2. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
3. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL)
WOMEN
1. Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL)
2. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)
3. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Freestyle Double Eliminations Kicks Off
Heaps of spectators made their way out to the beach during the 4th day to enjoy the lovely Saturday afternoon weather and to catch a glimpse of all the kiteboarding action in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has been a super successful competition especially with the weather conditions providing a good setting for an all-out competition.
Race director Olaf Van Tol announced in the morning during the skippers meeting that the afternoon would be packed with kiteboarding entertainment. The start of the Freestyle double eliminations was at 12:00pm followed by a fun and exciting discipline dubbed as the Big Air/Best Trick. The judging criteria for the competition was 70% height and 30% technical difficulty. Local riders started off the first round of heats competing against each other. Michael Dinclaux (Takoon, FRA) eliminated most of the local riders but was later defeated by Brazilian rider Reno Romeu (North, BRA). Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) advanced to the next round following his win over Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) in a 5/0 judge’s decision. Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) eliminated Sebastien Nguyen (Slingshot, FRA) and moved into the next set of heats for day five as well as Mario Rodwald (North, GER) who defeated Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) in the last double elimination heat of the day. The Double eliminations will resume on the final day of competition.
The Big Air/Best Trick discipline was held after a short intermission. Riders made there way out on the water with their kite ranging from 7m to 9m. In the first heat, Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL) won an easy heat, moving him directly into the finals. Maxime Landreau (Takoon, FRA) and Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) also joined Jacobs in the final round. Jacobs was really on top of his game today, jumping extremely high and performing with great technical difficulty enabling him first place in the discipline followed by Zoon in second and Landreau in third.
The final day of competition has a scheduled skippers meeting of 11:30am with a first possible start for the freestyle double eliminations at 12:00pm.
Big Air/Best Trick Results
1. Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL)
2. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
3. Maxime Landreau (Takoon, FRA)
Race director Olaf Van Tol announced in the morning during the skippers meeting that the afternoon would be packed with kiteboarding entertainment. The start of the Freestyle double eliminations was at 12:00pm followed by a fun and exciting discipline dubbed as the Big Air/Best Trick. The judging criteria for the competition was 70% height and 30% technical difficulty. Local riders started off the first round of heats competing against each other. Michael Dinclaux (Takoon, FRA) eliminated most of the local riders but was later defeated by Brazilian rider Reno Romeu (North, BRA). Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) advanced to the next round following his win over Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) in a 5/0 judge’s decision. Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) eliminated Sebastien Nguyen (Slingshot, FRA) and moved into the next set of heats for day five as well as Mario Rodwald (North, GER) who defeated Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) in the last double elimination heat of the day. The Double eliminations will resume on the final day of competition.
The Big Air/Best Trick discipline was held after a short intermission. Riders made there way out on the water with their kite ranging from 7m to 9m. In the first heat, Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL) won an easy heat, moving him directly into the finals. Maxime Landreau (Takoon, FRA) and Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) also joined Jacobs in the final round. Jacobs was really on top of his game today, jumping extremely high and performing with great technical difficulty enabling him first place in the discipline followed by Zoon in second and Landreau in third.
The final day of competition has a scheduled skippers meeting of 11:30am with a first possible start for the freestyle double eliminations at 12:00pm.
Big Air/Best Trick Results
1. Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL)
2. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
3. Maxime Landreau (Takoon, FRA)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Andy Yates Wins Men’s Freestyle Single Eliminations
The weather conditions were pretty much the same as the past couple of days, the average wind was about 25-30 knots as riders prepared their smallest kites for the continuation of the freestyle single eliminations.
The day began with Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) defeating Reno Romeu (North, BRA) in the first heat of the day. As Zoon succumbed to the pressure to win the PKRA world title, he was defeated by local New Caledonian Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) in a close and intense heat during the fourth round. As a result, he went up against Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL) in the losers final. Although Zoon took the third place spot in the single eliminations, he is still in the running for the world title. The pressure was also on for Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) who is also bent on winning the 2010 world title. Unfortunately, Pastor was disqualified in the third round against Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) for blocking and causing a line entanglement enabling Hebert a spot in the final against Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) who had a spectacular day. The Aussie kiteboarding star once again inched his way up the world ranking ladder by winning the men's single finals.
It was also a very happy day for Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) who defeated Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) in the first women’s heat of the day sending Kajiya to the losers final against Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GRB). Kajiya defeated Sykes-Davies in the losers final winning third place while Winkowska moved on to the final round against current tour leader Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP). Winkowska defeated Pulido in the final by landing complex tricks such as a blind judge and 313, which scored higher points than Pulido’s similar tricks but were poorly executed which landed her second place.
The third day of competition wrapped up with a super exciting board-off competition. Spectators were amazed as they watched the riders fly high while taking off their board, doing fancy maneuvers and placing it back on prior to landing. There were a few huge crashes, however Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) showed everyone how it should be done, taking home first place in the discipline followed by Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) in second and Michael Siret (Slingshot, FRA) in third place.
Tomorrow’s skippers meeting is scheduled for 11:30am with a first possible start for the freestyle double eliminations at 12:00pm.
The Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010 was made possible in part by the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Le Meridien, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
FREESTYLE SINGLE ELIMINATION RESULTS:
MEN RESULTS
1. Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS)
2. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL)
3. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
4. Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL)
WOMEN RESULTS
1. Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL)
2. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)
3. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA)
4. Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR)
The day began with Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) defeating Reno Romeu (North, BRA) in the first heat of the day. As Zoon succumbed to the pressure to win the PKRA world title, he was defeated by local New Caledonian Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) in a close and intense heat during the fourth round. As a result, he went up against Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL) in the losers final. Although Zoon took the third place spot in the single eliminations, he is still in the running for the world title. The pressure was also on for Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) who is also bent on winning the 2010 world title. Unfortunately, Pastor was disqualified in the third round against Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) for blocking and causing a line entanglement enabling Hebert a spot in the final against Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) who had a spectacular day. The Aussie kiteboarding star once again inched his way up the world ranking ladder by winning the men's single finals.
It was also a very happy day for Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) who defeated Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) in the first women’s heat of the day sending Kajiya to the losers final against Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GRB). Kajiya defeated Sykes-Davies in the losers final winning third place while Winkowska moved on to the final round against current tour leader Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP). Winkowska defeated Pulido in the final by landing complex tricks such as a blind judge and 313, which scored higher points than Pulido’s similar tricks but were poorly executed which landed her second place.
The third day of competition wrapped up with a super exciting board-off competition. Spectators were amazed as they watched the riders fly high while taking off their board, doing fancy maneuvers and placing it back on prior to landing. There were a few huge crashes, however Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) showed everyone how it should be done, taking home first place in the discipline followed by Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) in second and Michael Siret (Slingshot, FRA) in third place.
Tomorrow’s skippers meeting is scheduled for 11:30am with a first possible start for the freestyle double eliminations at 12:00pm.
The Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010 was made possible in part by the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Le Meridien, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
FREESTYLE SINGLE ELIMINATION RESULTS:
MEN RESULTS
1. Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS)
2. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL)
3. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
4. Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL)
WOMEN RESULTS
1. Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL)
2. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)
3. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA)
4. Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
It was another beautiful day in the beautiful island of Noumea, New Caledonia. The sun was out in full force and the easterly wind was 20-30 knots as the riders made their way to the beach this morning for the mandatory 8:30am riders meeting. The main focus today was the long distance race, where the competitors and their gear would be transported 1 hour away to an island off the coast of New Caledonia where the race would formally begin and end between the judging tower and a red buoy in front of the main competition site on the mainland.
Riders packed up their 7m and 9m kites, jump into the boats provided by the organization team and were off to the island around 10:00am. They had a small picnic on the island and got acquainted with a few locals known as the Tricot Rayé sea snakes, although extremely venomous, these snakes are usually not aggressive towards humans. Local children normally play with them and bites are extremely rare. Racers began the long distance mission at around 12:00 noon. French rider Michael Siret (Slingshot) was the first competitor to cross the finish line with a time of 25 minutes, 45 seconds. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) who finished 3 seconds behind Siret finished in second place with a time of 25:48. In a brief conversation with Hebert, he mentioned how extreme the conditions were. “At the beginning the wave swell was really big and then towards the middle to the end of the race the chop was pretty bad. I was full power on my 9m and followed behind Siret for most of the race. When he would crash, I would overtake him, and then I would crash and he would take the lead again. I kept yelling at him go, go, go! it was a lot of fun!” Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) finished third with a total time of 26:38 while Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) was fourth with an official time of 26 minutes and 46 seconds.
In the ladies division, Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) was the first and fastest female racer to cross the finish line with a time of 30 minutes and 10 seconds.
“At the beginning of the race I was so super fast, and towards the end, my legs could barely take it anymore,” said the Polish rider during a brief interview after the race. Finishing in second place was the current women’s freestyle leader Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) with a time of 32:08 followed by Noemie Le Bouteipper (Ozone, FRA) in third with a total time of 39:26 and Nina Cavalie (Liquid Force, FRA) with a time of 49:43.
The day wrapped up with a kite loop competition where local competitors dominated the discipline. Mega loop winner was Antoine Monnerville (Ozone, FRA) followed by Sebastien Nguyen (Slingshot, FRA) in second and men’s long distance winner Michael Siret (Slingshot, FRA) finished in third place.
Tomorrow’s skippers meeting is scheduled for 11:30am with a first possible start of 12:00pm.
The Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010 was made possible in part by the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Le Meridien, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
Riders packed up their 7m and 9m kites, jump into the boats provided by the organization team and were off to the island around 10:00am. They had a small picnic on the island and got acquainted with a few locals known as the Tricot Rayé sea snakes, although extremely venomous, these snakes are usually not aggressive towards humans. Local children normally play with them and bites are extremely rare. Racers began the long distance mission at around 12:00 noon. French rider Michael Siret (Slingshot) was the first competitor to cross the finish line with a time of 25 minutes, 45 seconds. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) who finished 3 seconds behind Siret finished in second place with a time of 25:48. In a brief conversation with Hebert, he mentioned how extreme the conditions were. “At the beginning the wave swell was really big and then towards the middle to the end of the race the chop was pretty bad. I was full power on my 9m and followed behind Siret for most of the race. When he would crash, I would overtake him, and then I would crash and he would take the lead again. I kept yelling at him go, go, go! it was a lot of fun!” Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) finished third with a total time of 26:38 while Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) was fourth with an official time of 26 minutes and 46 seconds.
In the ladies division, Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) was the first and fastest female racer to cross the finish line with a time of 30 minutes and 10 seconds.
“At the beginning of the race I was so super fast, and towards the end, my legs could barely take it anymore,” said the Polish rider during a brief interview after the race. Finishing in second place was the current women’s freestyle leader Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) with a time of 32:08 followed by Noemie Le Bouteipper (Ozone, FRA) in third with a total time of 39:26 and Nina Cavalie (Liquid Force, FRA) with a time of 49:43.
The day wrapped up with a kite loop competition where local competitors dominated the discipline. Mega loop winner was Antoine Monnerville (Ozone, FRA) followed by Sebastien Nguyen (Slingshot, FRA) in second and men’s long distance winner Michael Siret (Slingshot, FRA) finished in third place.
Tomorrow’s skippers meeting is scheduled for 11:30am with a first possible start of 12:00pm.
The Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010 was made possible in part by the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Le Meridien, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Spectacular First Day for the Freestyle Single Eliminations
The wind was on in full force today in Pointe Magnin, Noumea. Riders pumped up their smallest kites, mostly 7m for the competition today.
The mandatory riders meeting started at 10:00 am at the beach with a lot of local riders making up the large number of professional athletes that registered for the event. The first round saw most of the local riders taking on each other for a chance at going into the second round against the top seeded players. In the first round of the men’s heats, Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) defeated Enzo Todiello (Ozone, FRA) leading him into the second round against Brazilian rider Reno Romeu (North, BRA). Romeu eliminated Kerneur in the second round and will also move on to the third round of heats tomorrow against Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED). Zoon was on top of his game today defeating Torrin Bright (Ozone, NZL) in the second round due to his intense riding style. Alexandre Bournay (Naish, ESP) defeated Michael Siret (Slingshot, FRA) in the first round of heats but was eliminated in the second round by local hero Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) who was more than comfortable on his home turf. Hebert will move on to the third round against one of the PKRA world title contenders, Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) who defeated Australian competitor Simon Whichterman (Airush, AUS) in the second round moving him up the ladder. Marc Jacobs (Airush, NZL) who had an overall successful day defeated Sebastien Nguyen (Slingshot, FRA) in the first round and Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) in the second round leading him into the third round against Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA). Mario Rodwald (North, GER) defeated local rider Julien Fondere (Ozone, FRA) in the second round today and will move on to compete against the current PKRA tour leader Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS). It was an exciting final men’s single elimination heat today as rider Michael Dinclaux (Takoon, FRA) gave Yates a run for his money. Dinclaux rode with intense power, great executions and style however crashed into Yates causing him to be disqualified enabling Yates to move on to the third round which will commence tomorrow.
In the women’s freestyle single elimination division, Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) kicked off the womens series by defeating local rider Noemie Le Bouteipper (Ozone, FRA) leading her into the third round against Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL). The second women’s heat of the day was United Kingdom beauty Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR) against local rider Nina Cavalie (Liquid Force, FRA). Sykes-Davies defeated Cavalie in the second round and will move on to the third round tomorrow against the current tour leader Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP).
Tomorrow’s mandatory skippers meeting is set for 8:30am.
The Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010 was made possible in part by the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Ramada Plaza, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
The mandatory riders meeting started at 10:00 am at the beach with a lot of local riders making up the large number of professional athletes that registered for the event. The first round saw most of the local riders taking on each other for a chance at going into the second round against the top seeded players. In the first round of the men’s heats, Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) defeated Enzo Todiello (Ozone, FRA) leading him into the second round against Brazilian rider Reno Romeu (North, BRA). Romeu eliminated Kerneur in the second round and will also move on to the third round of heats tomorrow against Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED). Zoon was on top of his game today defeating Torrin Bright (Ozone, NZL) in the second round due to his intense riding style. Alexandre Bournay (Naish, ESP) defeated Michael Siret (Slingshot, FRA) in the first round of heats but was eliminated in the second round by local hero Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) who was more than comfortable on his home turf. Hebert will move on to the third round against one of the PKRA world title contenders, Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) who defeated Australian competitor Simon Whichterman (Airush, AUS) in the second round moving him up the ladder. Marc Jacobs (Airush, NZL) who had an overall successful day defeated Sebastien Nguyen (Slingshot, FRA) in the first round and Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) in the second round leading him into the third round against Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA). Mario Rodwald (North, GER) defeated local rider Julien Fondere (Ozone, FRA) in the second round today and will move on to compete against the current PKRA tour leader Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS). It was an exciting final men’s single elimination heat today as rider Michael Dinclaux (Takoon, FRA) gave Yates a run for his money. Dinclaux rode with intense power, great executions and style however crashed into Yates causing him to be disqualified enabling Yates to move on to the third round which will commence tomorrow.
In the women’s freestyle single elimination division, Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) kicked off the womens series by defeating local rider Noemie Le Bouteipper (Ozone, FRA) leading her into the third round against Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL). The second women’s heat of the day was United Kingdom beauty Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR) against local rider Nina Cavalie (Liquid Force, FRA). Sykes-Davies defeated Cavalie in the second round and will move on to the third round tomorrow against the current tour leader Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP).
Tomorrow’s mandatory skippers meeting is set for 8:30am.
The Teri Kitesurf Pro 2010 was made possible in part by the Kiteboarding League of New Caledonia, LVLNC with official partners Orangina, Ramada Plaza, Nissan, Teri and SeaDoo with special support from NRJ, Air France, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie and Total.
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