(June 25, 2003-Cabarete, Dominican Republic)- Purported to be the toughest Trials (by the riders’ comments today-) in kiteboarding competition to date, rounds 2and 3 for the Men’s Trials and round 2 for the Women were completed today in 18-24 knot winds, filling out the 32 seats for the Men’s main ladder and the 16 seats on the Women’s.
Half the field, ( 
, advancing from the Men’s Trials of 52 men, are 20 years of age or younger-demonstrating the explosion of youth entering the pro realm and abetting the apparent 2003 ‘changing of the guards’! Also, three Dominicans advanced to join the other four DR wildcards, showing an outstanding performance from the local talent pool and assuring 7 local seats in the main field! New also to the Tour is a powerful band of previously unseen F-One riders coming through today ’s PKRA Trials!
The 16 Men’s Trials finalists rounding out the Men’s 32 Main field are:
Christian BROUWER NED Slingshot
Marcelo CUNHA BRA Wipika
Joseph CARNEIRO BRA Takoon
Ben MEYER USA Naish
Jose SANCHEZ ESP Wipika
Raul CONIEL DR
Jose LUENGO ESP Airush
Etienne LHOTE FRA F-One
Arnaud MURCIA FRA F-One
Giani ARAGNO ESP Slingshot
Malik BOUCHENAFA ALG F-One
Melvin DE LEON DR Takoon
Jerson SANCHEZ DR
Leonardo ESTREDO VEN Cabrinha
Jeremie ELOY FRA North
The 8 Women’s Trials finalists entering the Women’s Main field of 16 are:
Julie Prochaska-GILBERT USA Cabrinha
Rebecca WOLTHERS USA Gaastra
Laurence LIGNIERES FRA
Gabrielle STEINDL AUT North
Fabienne D’ORTOLI FRA Cabrinha
Sandrine MAUNIER FRA Naish
Andrea WHARRY UK Flexifoil
Laurel EASTMAN DR Wipika
Tomorrows start to the Freestyle Singles Elimination ladder is highly anticipated and the riders’ contingent agrees that the level of the sport is so high that it will take a lot to win a PKRA Tour event, let alone the PKRA World Tour! For certain, the worlds best talent is here and now in the Main event!
