Capucine Delannoy says Mitu Monteiro had a big hand in helping her to a third Kite-Surf crown
France’s Capucine Delannoy clinched the Kite-Surf world title even before the season’s closing stop. That gave the 19-year-old, who’s grown up in Preá, Brazil, four crowns already in her short career. But missing out on a clean sweep of events in 2025 stung more than she expected and has lit a fire under her to make it the “perfect” season next year. She spoke to Ian MacKinnon from Paris, where she’s just completed first year of university.
Capucine Delannoy (FRA) | 2025 GKA Kite-Surf World Champion
Ian MacKinnon: Another world title, how does that feel?
Capucine Delannoy: A fourth title. Really good. It was a beautiful year. I’m really proud of the season. It was almost a perfect year. I was in the final of every event. I won three events and winning in Cape Verde was really special. It was the highlight of the season. I was really, really proud of it.
IM: Winning the Cape Verde final meant you finally beat Moona Whyte. That must have been a great moment?
CD: Moona has always been a great inspiration to me. She’s one of the best Kite-Surfers out there, beating me over and over each year. It was definitely a goal to win in Cape Verde and win in the final against her. So that’s part of what made it extra special. Also, we had the most amazing conditions in Cape Verde. I had been training there for months with Mitu Monteiro. I did everything I could to win it, and it paid off.
IM: Did getting the win there against Moona give it added value?
CD: I think I would say it added to the value. Because we had a high level final and I had give my best. So if you win and you know rode so well, that adds to the value, doing everything you could. We really pushed each other. When someone pushes you so hard in the final, it’s a nice feeling.
IM: Did training with Mitu Monteiro make a big difference?
CD: It wasn’t really the plan. I intended to train with him for one week. But I trained for two-and-a-half months. This helped me so much. First of all, because it’s Ponta Preta. Mitu knows Ponta Preta like it’s in his pocket [the back of his hand]. So well, especially a spot that’s so hard. He’s able to explain to you and give you all the tricks of the wave. And also the technical part. His mindset is so good, and he was so involved. We trained for hours on the water and afterwards lots of video analysis. He was a great coach. Totally invested, and I was grateful to have him by my side.
IM: Which is more important, the wave selection or the technique coaching?
CD: I think they’re both equally important. In Ponta Preta you have to learn how to ride it, but the wind pushes you out of the wave. Mitu really helped me in showing me how to approach it. If I’m in another spot, not Ponta Preta, it helps because we improved everything: bottom turns, tops, where to put the kite. Every little detail. At the event, you see every little detail coming together and it looks good.
IM: How much did it all translate to other spots?
CD: After Cape Verde I didn’t do any wave riding for a few months. I just trained Strapless Freestyle [for Sylt, Germany]. First time again was in Morocco. I arrived five days beforehand. The question was: would I still carry everything I learned from Mitu]. The answer was yes. My riding was very different from the previous year’s. I won the world title in Morocco.
What’s important to mention is that with Mitu, we trained in all types of conditions. We would be on the water no matter what the waves or wind was like. I could ride well in bad conditions, and in good conditions you’re on fire.
IM: How do you feel about the “health” of the Kite-Surf discipline right now? It looks like five events on the calendar for this coming season.
CD: I think it’s good. If we have five events that is definitely going well. The discipline is going more towards wave riding than freestyle. I really had to adapt to more wave riding than i would have wished at the beginning. I think I like the way it is, with good wave stops. If would could have one more stop with more freestyle, that would be my dream tour.
IM: What are you goals for next year?
CD: I think if could do the same next year and win the title, that would be great. I had a lot of fun. I improved a lot as well, which was my main aim. I managed to complete my first year at university. So if I can get through a second, that would be perfect. I’ll just try to continue balancing everything.