STRIKE ONE
The GKA Kiteboarding World Tour Air Games saw its first ever rounds of competition run in the toughest conditions for both the judges and the riders – lighter winds!
However, the tour is off, running and already evolving…
Report: Jim Gaunt / Photos: Toby Bromwich
The light Poniente wind was boosted by an afternoon thermal giving the Kiteboarding Air Games World Tour riders a chance to show what they could do in around 18 knots. Of course this is at the lower end of the wish for wind speed for this tour for big tricks, BUT we’re looking for the most all round and complete twin-tip riders and what would a world tour be without a test!
Look out for an interview coming later today with head judge Mallory de la Villemarque, but Wednesday’s highlights came from Jesse Richman with his super clean kite loop double half-cabs and Carlos Mario’s kite loop 7s, which were undoubtedly the best tricks of the day. (Scroll down for the day’s mini-gallery.)
Liam Whaley and David Tonijuan had impressively close attempts at kite loop front blind mobes, meanwhile Posito Martinez showed prowess in every category – at the moment the ‘amplitude’ factor is his as he commands the skies. Finally if it came down to a board-off contest, then Reno Romeu and Tom Hebert were top of the class.
These first Air Games heats have thrown up a multitude of talking points, but… that was only day one! If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. The journey continues tomorrow…
What are the Air Games all about? Catch up on our earlier post from day one here.
Click the images to enlarge the gallery:
