KPWT Morocco 2009 - Day 6

A successful and exciting day on the KPWT Dakhla Kiteboard Pro World Tour 2009!
The morning started with an early skippers meeting and the riders were prepped for the sliders competition.

Dakhla Attitude have built 2 sliders and one high kicker for the new discipline introduced onto the world circuit this year. The race director ran 2 heats and the 2 riders with the highest score progress to the final heat.

The riders tried their best to hit the sliders as fast as possible, with their kites and bars low and rotations after the slide. This is a definite discipline for the spectators and the riders were launching themselves at the sliders and kicker as hard and high as possible! There was not enough time to finish the final as the news arrived that the wave spot was working. The riders prepped their gear and quickly made their way to the beach to continue with the single elimination.

Lets remember the World Class Superstars on the KPWT and competing at the KPWT DAKHLA KITEBOARD PRO 2009):
Abel Lago (SPA, RRD), Mitu Monteiro (CV- F-ONE), Jan Marcos Riveras (DOM REP, STARKITES), Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA) and Cameron Dietrich (HAW, CABRINHA).
For the ladies: Kirsty Jones (UK, FLEXIFOIL), Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE) and Kriss Kinn (US, BEST)

The second round began at 15h00 with 1 meter swells and 15 knots. The waves again ran right to left, with good shape on low tide. A great heat was the semi-final between Abel Lago and Mitu Monteiro who both looked in great shape, selecting good waves, turning smoothly and strong cut backs. Mitu edged himself into the final in a VERY closely contested semi final! Well done to both riders for this enjoyable heat!

The second semi final was between Jan Marcos and Jesse. They have had some great battles this year and this heat definitely didn’t disappoint. The sun was setting and provided a beautiful backdrop to this thrilling semi, with Jan Marcos progressing.

Unfortunately there was not enough light to finish the Wave Masters Single Elimination today. Lets hope there are some waves tomorrow and we can continue with the finals for men and women.

This evening Dakhla Attitude will play host to a chill-out party and invited all riders and organizers to enjoy the wonders of Morocco!

KPWT Morocco 2009 - Day 5

Excitement was at a high today after a good wave forecast for the afternoon.
Skippers meeting was held at 09h30 and the race director confirmed that, today will be a day for Wave Masters.

Gautier Marcq (Judge): “I am having a super time here in Morocco. I came to Dakhla a week before the event to enjoy these wonderful conditions that Dakhla has to offer. We have a good team here and the conditions make it great to judge as the level is seriously high.”

The bus arrived at Dakhla Attitude to take the riders to the city and an excellent wave spot on the coast.
The first round for men started at 2pm after a few hours wait for the wind to pick up. The waves were breaking right to left and seemed to hollow out nicely when the tied dropped a little. The sets averaged 1.5 meters and the wind increased to 15 knots around 4pm.

The first round introduced the locals to some World Class competitors and they did not disappoint. Mitu Monteiro (CV, F-ONE), Abel Lago (SPA, RRD) and hard working Brazilian rider Bernardo Monteiro all progressed to the second round.
Abel lost a fin in his heat, but managed to change boards and get back out there and finish strong.

The wind dropped below competition standards and light had diminished late in the afternoon so the day was called off. Tomorrow’s forecast looks good to finish the single elimination and hopefully some sliders.

KPWT Morocco 2009 - Day 4

Day 4 on the Dakhla Kiteboard Pro 2009 and there looked to be some tired legs out there after a good long day of racing yesterday.

The wind was at a good speed this morning and the race director decided to set out the course for 3 more races.
Skippers meeting was held at 11h00 and the race director briefed the riders on the course and the programme of the day.

Wind speed was at a constant 14knots and the course was again set out in the shape of a triangle. 3 laps were to be completed over a 4,5 km course.
Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA) started where he left off yesterday and took the first race, followed closely by Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA).

Bruno looked determined though to win a race here in Dakhla and really gave everything he had in the next race to put one over his young friend and team rider, Jesse.

After the Course Races, the wind had increased to 17 knots average and the race director moved the competition area in front of the judge tower and decided to run the Kiteloop discipline.

A short skippers meeting was held at 16h45 where the riders were briefed on the judging criteria and the draw. The first round was completed, but unfortunately the wind did not hang around and the day was called off at 18h00.

Race One Men:

1. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
2. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
3. Blazej Ozog (POL, NORTH)

Race One Women:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR,OZONE)
2. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)

Race Two Men:

1. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
2. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
3. Abel Lago (SPA, RRD)

Race Two Women:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
2. Nuria Goma (SPA, LIQUID FORCE)
3. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)

Race Three Men:

1. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
2. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
3. Abel Lago (SPA, RRD)

Race Three Women:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR,OZONE)
2. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)
3. Nuria Goma (SPA, LIQUID FORCE)

KPWT Morocco 2009 - Day 3

Yesterday was a great day for freestyle and all were very pleased to have such good conditions and to finish the double elimination. Congratulations to Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA) and Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH).

Lets not forget the fighting spirit of little Forest Bakker (FRA, FLEXIFOIL). He woke up yesterday morning with a high fever and only decided to compete very late in the day. He was placed forth in the single elimination and managed to win four heats in a row and take the junior title away from Kamil Gadjinski (POL, NORTH).

This morning’s skippers meeting started at 09h30 and the wind had not quite picked up to KPWT standards just yet. All the riders were asked to spend 10 minutes with the sponsors to take some pictures and sign autographs.

Wind was not quite strong enough in the morning to run course races, but the forecast was correct in saying it would be better in the afternoon. The first race began at 13h30 after a good introduction and explanation of the rules and flag symbols by the race director.
Vita: “The wind should pick up nicely in the afternoon and I am planning to run some course races and hopefully sliders in the afternoon. I am having a great time here in Dakhla, accommodation is great, food is excellent and the spirit of the event is good, which makes me happy”

Today seemed to be the perfect day for racing and the wind averaged 15 knots and up to 18 knots in the afternoon. The race director prepared the triangle course with the necessary buoys and 2 laps were to be completed to finish. The distance between the starting and upwind buoy was 2.5km and both laps were completed in about 20 minutes.

In race one Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA) was looking strong on the upwind buoy, breaking away from the pack and finishing the first race at least a minute before second placed Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA).

For the last 2 races the course was moved further inside the lagoon as low tide had crept in. The course was changed slightly and the distance between the start and upwind buoy was 1.5km and each rider had to complete 4 laps to finish.

Well done to all the riders, the judges and the race director for an exciting and successful day of course racing.

Race One Men:

1. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
2. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
3. Lukasz Ceran (POL, NORTH)

Race One Women:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR,OZONE)
2. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)
3. Lorena Neumann (SPA, BOOST)

Race Two Men:

1. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
2. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
3. Lukasz Ceran (POL, NORTH)

Race Two Women:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
2. Lorena Neumann (SPA, BOOST)
3. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)

Race Three Men:

1. Jesse Richman HAW, CABRINHA)
2. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
3. Abel Lago (SPA, RRD)

Race Three Women:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR,OZONE)
2. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)
3. Leticia Quesada (SPA, OZONE)

Race Four Men:

1. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
2. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
3. Lukasz Ceran (POL, NORTH)

Race Four Women:

1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
2. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)
3. Leticia Quesada (SPA, OZONE)

KPWT Morocco 2009 - Day 2

Day two of this fantastic event and all are excited to get back on the water and have another crack at the title in the double elimination. Skippers meeting started at 09h30 and riders were on the water for the first heat of the day just after 10h30.

The wind today was at an average of 17knots, but picked up in the afternoon to a little over 20 knots. Wind direction is north east, blowing down the West Coast from the Canary Islands, only 200 km away. As in the single elimination, 7 minute heats were run with 3 minute intermissions. The water was less choppy today, which made conditions perfect for the freestyle competition.

After some excellent performances yesterday by Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA) and Leander Vyvey (BEL, JN), today was a day for Victor Borsuk (POL, NAISH). He lost in the first round of the single elimination, but fought his way to the semis in the double and faced Stefan Permien (GER, KITEFACTORY) in a closely contested heat. Both competitors were riding super well, but unfortunately only one of them can progress to face the Russian, Tyushkevich for the third spot on the podium. Borsuk settled for 5th spot, but what a strong performance by the Polish rider today!
Jesse faced Leander once more in the men’s final and what a well-contested final it was. Both riders took their 8 meter kites out and looked well powered to perform their moves, with a good combination of power and some cool old school tricks. Jesse came out top once again and won his first Freestyle title for the year on the KPWT.
For the ladies, Leticia Quesada (SPA, OZONE) was kiting well and faced Kriss Kinn (US, STRIBOG) for the third spot on the podium. Unfortunately for Quesada, Kinn was in no mood to give up her position and progressed into the next heat against Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE). Unfortunately Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH) was once again too strong for the ladies and went on to take her fourth Freestyle Event for 2009. She is looking so smooth on the water, with her kite position low when performing her power moves and handlepasses that cannot be matched.

This evening, local sponsor, “LES BRASSERIES du MAROC”, have invited all riders and both teams to a party at 21h30 after dinner.
Free drinks will be sponsored by Heineken and Beaufort and will include Heineken beer of course and a local Moroccan Wine.

KPWT Morocco 2009 - Day 1

Last night Dakhla city welcomed the KPWT and its riders in extravagant style.
The opening ceremony was held at the main square in the city centre and invited all to share in the KPWT experience.

The opening ceremony included:
- The Wali of the Region Oued Eddahab Lagouira
- The President of the Regional Counsel
- The President of the Provincial Counsel
- Elected Members of the region.
- The High ranking members of the Military
- The President of all Social Associations
- The Delegates of the Region

The skippers meeting began at 09h00.
Vita Adamicek, the race director announced the rules and what is expected from the riders.
Head judge, Pedro Pulido then instructed the riders as to what they will be looking for and marking in the freestyle discipline. “A complete freestyle kitesurfer with a combination of old and new school”

Pedro Pulido: “I will be using my previous experience on the KPWT. We have a good team here in Dakhla and I am sure we will have a great event”

The first heats for men’s freestyle started the competition and conditions were perfect!
Competition area was on the flat Dakhla lagoon, with an average of 20 knots throughout the day. You can keep up-to-date with conditions on Windguru and search for: Dakhla lagoon.

The heats were run over 7 minutes with 3 minutes transition time and 2 riders on the water. The race director has 2 rescue boats, 7 smaller boats on standby, 2 jet skis and one helicopter at his disposal should he need them.

An exciting match up in the second round was between Vincent Tiger (FRA, F-ONE) and KPWT Canada Freestyle champion, Stefan Permien (GER, KITEFACTORY). This heat could very well have been a final with both riders pushing themselves, with strong power moves and stylish old school tricks. Permien advanced to face Matthieu Judic (FRA, CABRINHA) in the quarterfinals.

The final was set for both women and men in the Dakhla Kitesurf Pro 2009!
Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA) faced Leander Vyvey (BEL, JN) in a well- contested final with both riders using, the now 25 knot wind, to get some good power and perform an array of old and new school tricks.

For the women, Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH) faced up against the KPWT Canadian Freestyle Champion and overall points leader for 2009, Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE).

The junior competition then took centre stage at 17h30 and the young riders looked excited to get their chance to show off their skills and have some fun on the water.

It has been a fantastic day here in Dakhla, with the singles and the juniors completed under some excellent conditions. All look forward to this evenings activities and a chance to chill out to the sounds of local music and good food.

Thank you again to Dakhla Attitude, Mr Driss Senoussi and Soufiane Hamaini for their contributions towards such a successful event here in Dakhla.

Single Elimination Men:
Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
Leander Vvyey (BEL, JN)
Peter Tyushkevich (RUS, FLEXIFOIL)

Single Elimination Women:
Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)
Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
Kriss Kinn (US,STRIBOG)

Junior Freestyle:
Kamil Gadjinski (POL, NORTH)
Blazej Ozog (POL, NORTH)
Forest Baker (FRA, FLEXIFOIL)

KPWT Morocco 2009 - Registration

KPWT Dakhla Kiteboard Pro World Tour 2009
Kiteboard Pro World Tour
27 September – 3 October 2009

KPWT is proud to welcome you to the 6th stage of the 2009 tour in Dakhla, Morocco.
KPWT has welcomed the opportunity to stage an event in the “free-riders paradise”
Dakhla is on the Western Sahara Coastline and boasts a 50km lagoon, good wind and flat water. It is the capital of kitesurfing in Africa and in the top 5 spots internationally.

Dakhla attitude offers a unique kitesurfing paradise for riders and travellers, with accommodation under tents, quaint bungalows on the cliff and way off the beaten track, what better way to appreciate the KPWT lifestyle!

This Super Grand Slam event will host Freestyle, Kiteloop, Course Racing, Wave Masters, Sliders and a junior competition. Prize money is set at 35 000 Euros and all will be pushing themselves to hopefully find themselves on the podium.

Over 45 riders from 20 different countries have made the trip to Dakhla and to try and further their KPWT points and push themselves to the top of the World rankings.
Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA), Peter Tyushkevich (RUS, FLEXIFOIL), Abel Lago (SPA, RRD), Jan Marcos Riveras (DOM REP, STARKITES) are just some of the top internationals that have arrived in Dakhla. All are looking forward to competing and the opportunity to enjoy what this excellent kitesurfing paradise has to offer!

Amongst the ladies, Kari Shibevaag (NOR, OZONE) is here and looking quite comfortable after her good results in Canada. Wave Master World Champion, Kirsty Jones (UK, ANIMAL) and 5x World Champion Gisela Pulido are both here to take pleasure in the excellent conditions in Morocco.

Competition day one will commence tomorrow with a skippers meeting at 08h00, so stay tuned and connected to this highly anticipated event on the 2009 KPWT calendar.