Thursday 5th March
Location: Cape Verde
Words: Kate Chandler | Images: Ydwer van der Heide
Day 5 of the event did not deliver the goods, we had zero-to-no swell, to run the Kite-Surf semi, and final heats. Judges made the decision to put the main event on hold, and wait for better waves, hopefully due tomorrow.
At the close of day 4 the GKA team opted to pack up the event site and move everything over to Ponta Preta, in the hope of running the semi, and final heats at the legendary wave spot. It was not an easy task, and we’re hoping that tomorrow will bring wind and waves to this part of the island, otherwise we will be packing up once again and heading back to Kite Beach!
This afternoon we ran a Supersession back at Kite Beach. It was a chance for our athletes and judges to test out a new heat format and scoring criteria. We intend to use this new format in Kite-Surf Freestyle rounds in the future. Heats were 10 minutes long, with the best trick per rider counting as their final score. Riders enter the water individually, do their trick, once landed they leave the water, and the next rider of the heat enters, and so on.
This new format seemed to work well, and it was great to see the top riders in the world on the water doing some freestyle. We saw some great riding from Pedro Afonso PT, who came 3rd with 4.50 points. Nicolas Abadjiev BG put on a very stylish display, with lofty board off jams and a score of 7.33, but it was Kiko Roig SP that won the Supersession, with some unhooked moves, previously unseen on the tour, and a sign of things to come from this competitor in future Freestyle rounds. Kiko took the podium with a respectable 8.10 points.
In the women’s division we saw some great freestyle action, with perfectly executed front rolls and great height, the scoring was tight but our current World Champion Carla Herrera SP took the title of Supersession winner with a 6.53 score, followed by Marcella Witt BR in second with 5.47, and Capucine Delannoy FR in third with 4.90.
Following the prize giving GKA riders were joined on the beach by event organiser and competitor Djo Silva CV, and a group of young local children. Our athletes got a chance to share their passion and knowledge of kitesurfing with the youngsters, giving them lessons and tips. With their enthusiasm and stoke for the sport, it could be the session that inspires a youngster to start kiting, and one day they could be competing on a future World Tour themselves! This is what the GKA is all about,, sharing the stoke for our beautiful sport, and getting as many people, young and old, involved in the action as we go!
We’ll be back tomorrow with more livestream and liveticker fun, but in the meantime keep up with highlights on our social channels. Good night from Cape Verde!
