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Freestylers awarded joint first places in Abu Dhabi

Freestylers awarded joint first places in Abu Dhabi

2nd November 2025

Result of season’s opening stop inconclusive after women’s contest halted when wind dropped out

GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Abu Dhabi
25-30 Oct, 2025 | Fahid Island

The four women finalists at the opening Freestyle stop of the season were awarded joint first places after the competition could not be concluded for lack of wind at Fahid Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The semi-finals of the GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Abu Dhabi were held on the sixth day of the Fahid Island Watersports Festival, presented by Aldar.

But the wind dropped and never returned, so Brazil’s Bruna Kajiya, Spain’s Claudia León, Poland’s Martyna Konkel, and Francesca Bagnoli, of Italy, were given equal points.

The 18 men unfortunately never got a chance to get on the water. Now they and the women will get an opportunity to battle at the concluding stop of the season in Taiba lagoon, Brazil, in mid-November.

The first women’s semi-final saw France’s Phoebe Rocher make her debut on tour. She opened slowly, but her closing efforts kept her in the mix. The young German, Kaya Lehmann, struggled in the light conditions. Towards the close of her heat, she found her groove with a strong Back-to-Blind. But it was not enough for her advance.

The Italian, Francesca Bagnoli, got her heat off to a flying start. A crisp Slim Chance was backed up with an S-bend to Blind. Bagnoli racked up a big total to win the heat and go the final.

Poland’s Martyna Konkel returned after a competition injury two years ago. The Polish athlete landed two big scores early on, earning her a place in the final.

Spain’s Claudia León was another athlete making her comeback from injury, and relished the chance of a late start to her competitive year to allow her to be at her best.

“It was good for me that the Freestyle season has started so late,” said León. “So that I could recover 100 percent, event 200 percent. Last year I was recovering from my ACL injury. It was a game changing situation because I feel in 2023 I was at the top of my game, even challenging for first position.”

The Spanish athlete showed she was back at the top of her game. As her heat progressed she was back to her old ways. A big S-bend to Blind was accompanied by an even bigger Tootsie Roll. Her scores helped send her to the final as the heat winner.

The young Italian, Naïs Balbinot, found herself in starry company in a stacked heat. She wilted a little under the pressure and was out of the competition.

Reigning world champion, Bruna Kajya, is hungry for another crown. The veteran, with five titles to her name, put down a marker right away in the heat.

She built her heat with a massive opening Front to Blind. Kajya backed it up with a seismic Back Mobe that the judges loved. It booked her place the final. For the for finalists that was the end of the line when the wind ended.

Join us in Brazil for more action.

words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Svetlana Romantsova / Lukas K Stiller

Spot Info: Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi

Wind
Fahid Island is being developed as a purpose-built watersports’ facility and sits next to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island Marina, home of the Formula 1 circuit. The breezes in late October tend to be light-to-moderate, building to between 12 and 18 knots as the day goes on. The wind blows mainly cross-onshore from the north, with the seas remaining mostly flat in the bay sheltered by islands.

Weather
Sea temperatures in October and November are still warm, ranging from 28°C to 31°C, so board shorts and a rashie are all that is necessary on the water. The air temperature ranges from a low of 28°C overnight, to a high of 35°C in the day. Sunrise is at about 06.00 with sunset at about 18.40.

Event information

  • Location: Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi
  • Dates: 25-30 October
  • All event information here.

Find everything about GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Brazil by clicking event news.