KPWT - Frankrijk - Duinkerken



Nog een stop dichtbij, na de PKRA en de KPWT in Duitsland is het nu de beurt aan de KPWT tourstop in Duinkerken in Frankrijk. De windverwachting is op het ogenblik slecht maar de 50 riders hebben een hele week de tijd voor de freestyle, course race en biggest kiteloop wedstrijden.



Windverwachting

Riders:
Leander Vyvey
Bas Koole - Twitter
Bram Bast - Twitter



En vergeet niet de foto's en filmpjes te bekijken op de site

KPWT Dunkerque 2009 - Day 4

Day 4 started with little wind, but started to pick up around 15h00. The race director made an official announcement at 16h00 to run the freestyle discipline and to finish the single elimination.
Wind had increased and was reaching 18 knots South West. The race director ran 7minute heats, with 3minute intermissions.
The first few heats saw Victor Hays (FRA, CABRINHA) against another French rider, Julien Kerneur (FRA, TAKOON) who both looked in good form. Julien held strong and landed a smooth slim chance, but after seeing a huge back mobe from Victor, it looked certain that he would progress.

A surprise in the early rounds was the ejection of the Dominican rider, Jose Corniel (FH KITEBOARDING) by Christophe Tak (BEL, LIQUID FORCE). He went on to face Jesse Richman in the second round.

The heat of the day for me however was called off just as it was getting good. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA) faced Christophe Tak (BEL, LIQUID FORCE). Jesse’s move of the heat was a perfect back mobe, but Christophe was looking so good. He made a blind judge 3 look easy, followed by KGB Grab and a sick little mobe.

I can’t wait to see the heat tomorrow! The day was called off at 19h20 as the wind dropped below 10 knots and it was not easy for the riders to get the power they need to show off their tricks!





KPWT Dunkerque 2009 - Day 3

Today started at 10h00 with a skippers meeting at the Rotonde du Kursaal. The low pressure had crept over and the low lying clouds only lifted around 13h00. Announcements were made every hour on the conditions, but unfortunately the wind didn’t arrive and no kitesurfing was possible.

That didn’t stop the many people that came down to enjoy the sun. The local organizers, Dunkerque Flysurfing Club really know how to keep you entertained, with our without wind.

The flying box was in full force, the playground kept the children entertained and the sea was flooded with smiling faces of those enjoying the water. Another attraction for all to experience was paddle boarding on the flat water and to enjoy the mini skateboard ramp erected on the promenade.

Lunch was arranged at Le Transat Bleu for the KPWT Team and the riders to enjoy some local specialities! Thank you to Christophe Hugoo and his team for all their hard work and the success of this event, KPWT DUNKERQUE KITESURF PRO 2009.


KPWT Dunkerque 2009 - Day 2

Day 2 started at 09h00 with a skippers meeting, after an early breakfast.
The wind that was forecasted today arrived just after lunch. The planned course races were quickly substituted for freestyle, as it was now a good South West blowing an average of 15 knots.
The first heats kicked off around 1pm and saw Peter Tyushkevic (RUS,FLEXIFOIL) face the local Martin Debruyne (Triple-C). Peter started with a cool 313 followed by a smooth slim chance and held strong throughout his heat, leaving his opponent floating in the first round.

Vincent Tiger (FRA, F-ONE) matched up against Pierre Romain (FRA, NORTH) for the heat of the day in my opinion. Both looking quite good, but I think Vincent’s blind judge 3 took the round from Pierre and he progressed.
During the heat Vincent was flying downwind and everyone held their breath thinking he was going to cross over the competition area and into the “arrest” zone that the water police had demarcated. He pulled out last minute thank goodness!

The freestyle heats were stopped, as the wind had dropped off a little and the race director quickly shifted to course racing. The course was set out in a “banana” shape and the riders pumped their bigger kites and prepped their racing boards for the start. Riders had colored and numbered lycras to identify them, they had to also register their kite colors and brands to the beach marshal to prevent any confusion. The course was set out over about 6 minute laps and 2 laps were run for the first and only race for the day.

A great day on the KPWT DUNKERQUE KITESURF PRO!

MEN RACE ONE:

1. Jesse Richman (HAW,CABRINHA)
2. Abel Lago (SPA, RRD)
3. Olivier Dansin (FRA, NORTH)

WOMEN RACE ONE:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
2. Ainhoa Garcia (SPA, AIRUSH)
3. Ania Grzelinska (POL, NORTH)




KPWT Dunkerque 2009 - Registration Day

KPWT Dunkerque Kitesurf Pro 2009
Kiteboard Pro World Tour
11th – 16th August 2009

An exciting event on the KPWT 2009 schedule began today with registration. 50 international riders made the trip North to Dunkerque in France and registered for their respective disciplines.

Dunes de Flandre boasts 700 hectares of dunes and is blessed with a 15km beach of fine sand and great conditions for kitesurfing. Rotonde du Kursaal, the first European Kite Park, will host the KPWT team and its riders for the week ahead.

Local rider Antoine Auriol (FRA, KITELOOSE) registered today and has only fond memories of Dunkerque after coming second in the national competition for Windsurfing when he first started his love affair with wind many years ago!
Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA, OVERALL TITLE 2008), Leander Vyvey (BEL, JN, FREESTYLE VICE-CHAMPION 2008) and Peter Tyushkevic (RUS, FLEXIFOIL), were also amongst the internationals that came to compete for the title and overall points on offer!

Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH, 5X WORLD CHAMPION) performed really well in Germany and Spain, taking the overall freestyle title and sitting nicely on the top of the freestyle rankings. She will face fierce competition from Ainhoa Garcia (SPA, AIRUSH, FREESTYLE VICE CHAMPION 2008), Hannah Whitely (UK, JN) and Ania Grzelinska (POL, NORTH, OVERALL TITLE 2008) who are all looking really good this year!
The level of women riding is at a high standard and we all look forward to seeing how they do in France.

The opening ceremony was held this evening at 18h00 in front of the Rotonde du Kursaal and all the riders, local organizers and the KPWT team attended, to celebrate kitesurfing in Dunkerque!

Thank you again to all the sponsors and the city of Dunkerque for hosting the French leg of the KPWT 2009!
A special thanks to Christophe Hugoo and the Dunkerque Flysurfing Club for all their hard work in organizing this fantastic event.

www.kpwt-events.com/2009/france/

Foto's van de laatste dag op Ydwer.com