Sylt hosts opening round of Hydrofoil-Big Air world title fight while the Kite-Surf action is back after five-month break
GKA Kite World Cup Sylt
26—31 August, 2025 | Brandenburger Strand
Reining Kite-Surf world champions, France’s Capucine Delannoy and Brazil’s Gabriel Benetton, will be the top seeds as they continue the defence of their crowns at the discipline’s second tour stop in Sylt, Germany.
Delannoy opened her 2025 campaign with a big win at the first stop in Cape Verde in March, while Benetton will be playing catch-up after finishing third. But even his 2024 crown was down to season-long consistency and did not feature any event victories.
For both, the GKA Kite World Cup Sylt, on Germany’s northernmost island, could play to their Strapless Freestyle strengths. Last year’s competition was contested in a mixed Wave and Strapless Freestyle format, when the beach was graced by massive 50-knots winds.
Delannoy won the GKA Move of the Year when she scored a perfect 10 in Sylt last year for a “world first” Triple Frontroll in competition. Benetton has just posted another “world first” on social media, a 1440 Shove-it move that showed he is on top of his Strapless Freestyle game.
Protected nature reserve
Sylt has hosted competitions for more than 40 years, and this year will be no different. The pristine sand dunes and boardwalks along the coastline, a protected nature reserve, will give way to the seafront partner stands featuring the leading kitesurfing brands, sitting among countless food and drink concessions.
The entry list for the Kite-Surf competition is still to be finalised, but the men’s line-up will feature a full roster of 28, with 11 of the world’s best women also ready to do battle before thousands of fans.
Brazil’s Pedro Matos leads the rankings thanks to his victory in Cape Verde and will undoubtedly be looking to build title momentum with two further stops scheduled to follow Sylt.
But Italy’s Airton Cozzolino, a multiple world champion, will be keen to reclaim the title he lost last season. He was defeated by a small margin on home waters in Cape Verde.
Biggest challenge
Last year in Sylt, Australia’s James Carew secured the win in a huge comeback after being out for 18 months with injury. Carew pipped Gabriel Benetton for the top podium step, while Spain’s Lorenzo Casati took a strong third place.
In the women’s contest, the biggest challenge for Capucine Delannoy is likely to come from Switzerland’s Camille Losserand, especially if conditions dictate a mixed format. But here Italy’s Sofia Monti, a Strapless Freestyle specialist, could also be a strong contender.
In tandem with the Kite-Surf action, the GKA Kite World Cup Sylt will also host the opening stop of the Hydrofoil Big Air world title race. The hydrofoil competition could come into its own if the conditions in Sylt prove lighter than last year.
The Dominican Republic’s Alex Soto may take the top seed’s spot if six-time Hydrofoil world champion, France’s Charles Brodel, is absent at Sylt.
But the ranks are filled with top Hydrofoil Big Air talent, including Germany’s Finn Flügel and Lorenzo and Leonardo Casati, Hunter Becker, from the US, and Switzerland’s Peer Schnyder. New faces, like New Zealand’s Hugo Wigglesworth, are bound to add spice to the mix.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Lukas K Stiller
Spot Info: Sylt
Sylt is Germany’s fourth largest and northern-most island. It is famed for its nature reserve, untamed beauty and 40kms of sandy beaches. Brandenburger Strand is the main beach in front of Westerland. Sylt’s tourism service has organised an event there since 1983. The event’s 450-metre promenade will feature partner stands with everything from kitesurfing gear to great food and drinks.
Weather
Sylt has a northern European climate, so weather conditions are mild in August. The air temperature during day can be between 25°C at most, with a low of 12°C. The water temperature of the North Sea is around 16°C, so bringing a wetsuit, and a jacket is recommended. Sunrise is 05.00 and sunset is 22.00.
Wind
The wind can vary, depending on the weather pattern. Westerly winds blow 15-35 knots, onshore at Westerland. Easterly winds blow around 12-25 knots, offshore at Westerland.
Event Information
- Event: GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt
- Spot: Brandenburger Strand, Sylt
- Dates: 26—31 August, 2025
- Follow the whole event here
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