After an early skippers meeting, the race direction decided to continue the Freestyle bracket thanks to good wind conditions. This main KPWT discipline had been previously stopped because of the too strong and dangerous North wind.

On the men side, Frenchies prooved their good shapes on this italian stage with a final heat between Vincent Tiger and Florian Daubos, first KPWT podium for both. We must now count on these two excellent riders for the 2006 season.

This first leg also reveals new kiteboarding stars : Sander Lenten, kicked out in ¼ Finals by the stage winner Vincent Tiger and Florian Daubos, winner of his confrontation with the KPWT 2005 World Champion Thomas Cocquelet.

On the women side, the KPWT 2005 ranking has been respected and all leaders have confirmed their supremacy on this first leg. Then, Gisela Pulido defeats her compatriot Noelia Nunez and the Turkish Julie Simsar also won against the New Caledonian Perrine Scelland on the loosers final heat. We’ll also remember the good performance of the local rider Andrea Olah, the Portuguese Margarida Ribeiro and the Australian Marine Sudre.

Men Overall Ranking after the first 2006 KPWT stage
1st Vincent TIGER - NAISH,RIP CURL 6 000USD
2nd Florian DAUBOS - Naish, Flysurf.com 4 000USD
3rd Stefano MASELLI - Mystic, Advance, Macelleria, IKU, Brunotti 3 000USD
4th Antoine AURIOL - Kiteloose 1 000USD

Women Overall Ranking after the first 2006 KPWT stage
1st Gisela PULIDO - Airush, Rip Curl, Shapes, FCBarcelona, Adecco, Kelme, Movistar 3 500USD
2nd Noelia NUNEZ MACIAS - NOMAD, AIRUSH, NIKITA 2 500USD
3rd Julie SIMSAR - Liquid Force, Dakine, Misultin Zone, Kronic Kiteboard 1 500USD
4th Perrine SCELLAND - Airush,surf rider;lagoon;cyber point; LVLNC; Glisse Attitude 1 000USD

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