SWITCHING FOCUS: GKA KITEBOARDING ‘AIR GAMES’ WORLD TOUR
Wednesday 27th June, Valdevaqueros, Tarifa
Report Jim Gaunt / Photos: Toby Bromwich
On day 2 the focus switches to the Kiteboarding ‘Air Games’ World Tour in this unique double bill event at the Jeep Tarifa Pro.
The Jeep Tarifa Pro stages round two of the Kiteboarding ‘Air Games’ World Tour but will be the first time that we get to see action on this tour after round one in Leucate, France suffered a lack of wind for the entire event. A first in Leucate’s 20 year history of staging events!
The forecast for Jeep Tarifa Pro is calling for light Poniente winds all week, but Valdevaqueros benefits from a daily thermal increase in the wind speed. So typically of this bustling and lively kiteboarding hub that draws visitors in equal measure for its night time appeal as its on-water action, we’re unlikely to see event starts before lunch this week.
REGISTERED RIDERS AND FORMAT
38 MEN / 11 WOMEN have registered today at the Jeep Tarifa Pro for the GKA Kiteboarding ‘Air Games’ World Tour.
We are still yet to see the first action on this exciting new tour format. After the rider’s meeting at the last event in Leucate, the tour crew and riders have set out that heats will be scored on three categories (instead of four as previously set-out) to achieve the best and most fair format:
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Big Air / Regular Jumps / Board-offs
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Handle-passes
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Kite Loops
*Overall impression scores have been removed and board-offs are now within the first category.
Man with the plan – Air Games head judge, Mallory de la Villemarque
The over-riding factor is that riders simply have to go as big as possible, but not just stopping there. The judges are looking for speed into and out of the tricks, amplitude (distance travelled at height), power, commitment and control.
Overall, the aim of this format is to bring together new and more classic styles and to ensure that every single trick will inspire the crowds on the beach and the fans who watch the videos and see the images.
FIRST AND SECOND ROUND DRAWS
Due to the high volume of riders and compact contest time, some riders were drawn randomly to advance straight to round two in this single elimination. (Scroll down to meet all the riders who will be competing in Tarifa!)
Men:
WOMEN:
Tour Promo Video: The shape of things to come!
We look forward to blazing afternoons of sunshine, cheering fans and building thermals to bring the Air Games to life this week.
Stay tuned to our social media channels for regular updates throughout the day!
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KITEBOARDING AIR GAMES REGISTERED RIDERS FOR TARIFA
