PKRA registration takes place in Fuerteventura, Spain

Several nationalities register for the 2010 Fuerteventura World Cup event

Fuerteventura, Spain, August 3rd, 2010. Yesterday was the backdrop for what will be yet another successful event for the PKRA World Cup 2010 Tour Season.

Riders from all around the world made their way to Fuerteventura, Spain to register for their chance to get in on all the hottest kiteboarding world tour action. This year Fuerteventura will be celebrating 25 years of hosting World Cup events, which dates back to 1985 with the PWA Windsurfing World Cup.

World Class riders from numerous different nationalities made their way to the beach yesterday to register for their spot on the water. Russian freestyle rider, Sergey Belmesov, Brazilian riders Reno Romeu, as well as the 2009 World Freestyle Women’s Champion, Bruna Kajiya were present. Ariel Corniel from the Dominican Republic, Andy Yates from Australia, Spanish riders such as Alex Pastor, Cesar Portas as well as the stunning Angela Peral were amongst some of the names on the registration sheets. Men’s freestyle world champion Kevin Langeree also sneaked his way to the front of the registration line.

In addition to the Freestyle and Race disciplines being held in Fuerteventura, the Professional Kiteboard Riders Association will be testing a new high-tech discipline called the Sky-Masters with the help of a modern device called the Shadowbox.

The Fuerteventura World Cup has been part of the PKRA world tour lineup for the past consecutive 12 years and will continue to invest their support in our team.


Diminishing winds complete the first day of competition

The wind began to pick up in strength slowly this morning making it possible for the eager racers to get out on the water. The day commenced with two consecutive races.

In the first race of the day, Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) rushed his way across the finish line first followed by fellow French competitor Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) in second place and Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) in third. These racers have been neck to neck in the past couple of events. They are extremely eager to take the PKRA world racing champion title. In the second race of the day, French racer Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) made a couple of errors, which would cost him the first place position. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) managed to take advantage of this error and made his way through the finish line first followed by a near photo finish for second place between Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) and Sky Solbach (North, USA). Solbach got a little tense and crashed inches from the finish line giving way to Van Der Vlugt whom finished in 2nd followed by Solbach in 3rd and Sroka in 4th.

It was an all around winning day for North rider Steph Bridge (North, GBR) who managed to race her way gracefully across the finish line first in both races today. In the first and second race of the day French racer Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) battled for second place with Katja Roose (Airush, NED). Adrien managed to finish second in the first race of the day while Roose took third place however in the second race of the day Roose rushed her way to the finish line second while Adrien finished third.

At 1:00pm there was a brief pause in order for everyone to have lunch. The racers were released for the day and the men’s freestyle single eliminations began. A total of 3 freestyle heats were completed for the day. The fourth heat of the day was postponed due to the diminishing winds. The wind was non-existent for the remained of the day, which was cause for an early end to the first day of competition.

Tomorrow’s skippers’ meeting is scheduled for 10:00am.

The Fuerteventura Kiteboarding World Cup 2010 is organized by Rene Egli with the help of many sponsors such as Rene Egli, Ayuntamiento de Pajara, Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Melia Gorriones, Fuerte Action, Tropical, NeilPryde and Cabrinha.

RACING RESULTS

RACE #1 MEN

1. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

2. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

3. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) R

RACE #2 MEN

1. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

2. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

3. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

RACE #1 WOMEN

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

3. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

RACE # 2 WOMEN

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

3. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

COMPLETE RACING RESULTS




Freestyle single eliminations wrap up the third day of competition

It was a beautiful day in Sotavento today. Sunny blue skies and powerful howling winds made for perfect freestyle kiteboarding action. Race director Erik Troostheide announced that he would begin with the freestylers this morning and later in the day make a decision to run any races or not. After a short 20-minute lunch break, Troostheide released the racers for the day so that the crew could focus on finishing the men’s and women’s freestyle single eliminations.

The abandoned men’s heat from yesterday kicked off the start of the day. Cesar Portas (North, ESP) eliminated Puerto Rican rider Frederick Zamora (North, PRI) in the first heat, but was later defeated by Dominican rider Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM). Corniel has been on top of his game the past couple events defeating most of his competitors. Corniel eliminated Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) in a 3/2 judge’s decision due to a blind judge 5 and better overall execution and height in difficult wind conditions, but was later defeated by Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) in the semi final round in a close 3/2 judge’s decision due to better kite position and cleaner execution. Langeree made his way to the finals against Spanish rider Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP). Langeree defeated Pastor in the men’s final with a 5/0 judge’s decision due great execution and variety of technical tricks such as a mobe 7 and front mobe to blind. Corniel went on to make it to the men’s losers final against Australian rider Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) but had to stop competing seconds before the end of the heat due to a crash on his last trick that caused a slight concussion. Yates benefited from Corniel’s injury landing him in third place in the single eliminations while Corniel unexpectedly takes fourth.

It was a successful day for the beautiful Brazilian rider Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA). Kajiya has struggled in the past couple of events, but regained her status here in Fuerteventura defeating Polish riders Asia Litwin (Nobile, POL) and Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL). Kajiya moved on to the final round against Spanish rider Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP). Kajiya proved once again that she’s back in the game by winning the women’s freestyle single eliminations. Pulido eliminated German rider Kristin Boese (Best, GER) in the second round as well as Angela Peral (North, ESP) due to her powerful technical moves earning her second place in the single eliminations. In the women’s loser final Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) defeated Angela Peral (North, ESP) with a 5/0 judge’s decision due technical difficulty of tricks.

Tomorrow’s skippers’ meeting is scheduled for 10:00am for racers and 12:00pm for freestylers.

The Fuerteventura Kiteboarding World Cup 2010 is organized by Rene Egli with the help of many sponsors such as Rene Egli, Ayuntamiento de Pajara, Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Melia Gorriones, Fuerte Action, Tropical, NeilPryde and Cabrinha.

SINGLE ELIMINATION RESULTS

MEN

1. Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED)

2. Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP)

3. Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS)

4. Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM)

WOMEN

1. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA)

2. Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)

3. Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL)

4. Angela Peral (North, ESP)



4 races and 2 rounds of freestyle double eliminations complete the third day of competition

It was yet another spectacular day in Sotavanto, the sun was out shinning and the wind was just as powerful as the previous couple days. Numerous spectators came out to the beach to be part of all the kiteboarding action. Helicopters hovered above the water as racers blasted their way across the water. Kiteboarding enthusiasts cheered as their favorite kiteboarder preformed complex tricks a few feet in front of them on the well-groomed sandy beach.

A total of 4 races were run today in the men’s as well as the women’s division which is the maximum allowable amount of daily races. The first race of the day began with a clean start however a lot of confusion, tangles and disputes followed in the second and third race. It was a difficult day for French rider Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) who struggled with his equipment today, losing a fin box in one race, and a few technical errors throughout the following races however Sroka managed to put his head on straight in the last race of the day finishing first and received a redress in the first race which would put him into third place. Sky Solbach (North, GER) and Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) were next to next in most of the races today. Solbach managed to finish first in the first race of the day while Van Der Vlugt finished first in two consecutive races. The current racing leader, Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) finished third in the first two races of the day while German rider Dirk Hanel (North, GER) made a come back by taking fourth place in the first race of the day and also a third place.

In the women’s racing division, North rider Steph Bridge (North, GBR) was on top of her game using great techniques and strategies earning her first place in all four consecutive races. German rider Kristin Boese (Best, GER) managed to finish in second place in the first two races while Katja Roose (Airush, NED) and Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) each earned a second place today. Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR) finished third in the first race of the day and managed to take fourth place in the third race of the day.

Once the races wrapped up for the day, race director Erik Troostheide set the box for the freestyle double eliminations. We ended the day having completed the first two rounds of men’s heats as well as the first round of women’s heats.

Tomorrow’s skippers’ meeting is scheduled for 10:00am for racers and 12:00pm for freestylers with a first possible start of 10:30am for racing and a 12:30pm first possible start for freestyle.

The Fuerteventura Kiteboarding World Cup 2010 is organized by Rene Egli with the help of many sponsors such as Rene Egli, Ayuntamiento de Pajara, Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Melia Gorriones, Fuerte Action, Tropical, NeilPryde and Cabrinha.

RACING RESULTS

MEN RACE #3

1. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

2. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

3. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

4. Dirk Hanel (North, GER)

MEN RACE #4

1. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

2. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

3. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

4. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

MEN RACE #5

1. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

2. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

3. Dirk Hanel (North, GER)

4. Blazej Ozog (North, POL)

MEN RACE #6

1. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

2. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

3. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

4. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

WOMEN RACE #3

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

3. Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR)

4. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

WOMEN RACE #4

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

3. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

4. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

WOMEN RACE #5

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

3. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

4. Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR)

WOMEN RACE #6

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

3. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

4. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

COMPLETE DETAILED RESULTS


World Champion Kevin Langeree injures himself in the men’s freestyle double elimination final

What an upset for all who were on the beach this afternoon in Sotavento, Fuerteventura while watching the men’s freestyle double elimination final heat between Australian rider Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) and Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED). Langeree was dominating the final heat, but in an attempt to execute a blind judge in gusty, unpredictable 35-40 knots winds, he landed on the chop causing him to twist his knee out of position. Race director Erik Troostheide was quick to react when he seen Langeree waving his arm in the air, which clearly indicated that he was injured. A jet ski watercraft was there in a few seconds to assist Langeree who had released himself from his kite. The jet ski attendant could not lift Langeree onto the watercraft therefore slowly towed him to the shore where medical personnel where eagerly waiting to assess the situation. Langeree was transported by truck to the medical facility on the beach where local physician, nurses as well as orthopedic doctor and fellow kiteboarding race competitor Hans Moeller assessed Langeree’s injured knee. Langeree was carried back on to the beach where the podium was set in place for the freestyle double eliminations. While being held above the number two position Langeree announced with a upsetting crack in his voice, “this is the worst thing that could have ever happen to me. I hope the injury isn’t as bad as I think it is. I’m going to fly back home to Holland, heal and be back on the tour competing as soon as possible!” Fans cheered and clapped for Langeree’s good spirit, sportsmanship and charismatic charm. The exact extent of Langeree’s diagnosis in unclear at the present time but he is expected to have a full recovery.

Due to the upset in the men’s final, Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) takes first place in the double eliminations while Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) takes second. It is the second event title for Yates this tour season. Yates defeated Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) due to his overall better execution of tricks in a 3/2 judges decision. Pastor takes third place in the double elimination.

In the women’s freestyle division, it was a great day for Polish rider Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL). Winkowska defeated Angela Peral (North, ESP) as well as Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) in the semi final due to her powered switch blind judge 3 and better kite position. Pulido finishes the double eliminations in third place. Winkowska went on to the final against single elimination winner Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA). Kajiya defeated Winkowska in a 5/0 judge’s decision due to more powered tricks such as a front mobe, blind judge 3 and better kite position.

A total of three races were completed today. In the first race of the day Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) managed to use a great technique to overtake Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) who was in the lead. Van Der Vlugt finished first in the first race of the day as well as second in the following two races. Kerneur took second place in the first race of the day followed by first place in the second race. Olivier Dansin (North, FRA) managed to take advantage of Van Der Vlugt’s small mistake in the last race of the day landing him in first place. There was also a fight at the finish line in the second race of the day as Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) and Olivier Dansin (North, FRA) were neck-to-neck. Dansin wins but only by inches.

In the women’s racing division, Steph Bridge (North, GBR) dominated every race today finishing in first place. Katja Roose (Airush, NED) managed to finish second in the first race however German rider Kristin Boese (Best, GER) took second in the following two races. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) finished third in the first race of the day but Roose managed to take the second place position in the following two races.

Today marked the first day of the Sky Masters discipline, which turned out to be a great turnout. An electronic device known as the Shadow Box was attached to each competitor’s board to measure the exact height of each big air jump. Fuerteventura is by way one of the best places in the world to test this new potential discipline due to its fierce wind conditions. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) dominated with a record jump of 41.6 feet =12.68 meters, Florian Dabous (Naish, FRA) followed in second place with a height of 39.3 feet = 11.97 meters and Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) took third place with a height of 38.3 feet = 11.67. Holly Kennedy dominated in the women’s division with a record height of 29.2 feet = 8.9 meters, Kristin Boese (Best, GER) followed extremely closely behind in second place with a height of 29.1 feet = 8.86 meters, Angela Peral (North, ESP) took third place with a height of 28.2 feet = 8.59 meters.

Tomorrow’s skippers meeting is scheduled for 10:00am with a first possible start of 10:30am for racing.

The Fuerteventura Kiteboarding World Cup 2010 is organized by Rene Egli with the help of many sponsors such as Rene Egli, Ayuntamiento de Pajara, Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Melia Gorriones, Fuerte Action, Tropical, NeilPryde and Cabrinha.

RACING RESULTS

MEN RACE #7

1. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

2. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

3. Olivier Dansin (North, FRA)

4. Dirk Hanel (North, GER)

MEN RACE #8

1. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

2. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

3. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

4. Olivier Dansin (North, FRA)

MEN RACE #9

1. Olivier Dansin (North, FRA)

2. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

3. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

4. Blazej Ozog (North, POL)

WOMEN RACE #7

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

3. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

4. Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR)

WOMEN RACE #8

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

3. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

4. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

WOMEN RACE #9

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

3. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

4. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

COMPLETE DETAILED RESULTS




Racing and Sky Masters discipline wraps up the final day of competition

The competition in Fuerteventura has come to an end for yet another year. Fuerteventura has a reputation for the extremely powerful winds, which makes it one of the best places in the world for kiteboarding. Race competitors had the chance to use their smaller kites sizes as most races are performed in lighter wind conditions in other places around the world.

A total of three races were completed today to mark the end of the event here in Sotavento, Fuerteventura. In the first race of the day Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) was well ahead while making the first lap, however Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) managed to overtake the lead for a short time. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) takes the lead after the last marker and was in a battle with Van Der Vlugt in the final meters of the race finishing in first place, a half meter before Van Der Vlugt. Blazej Ozog (North, POL) takes third place while Sky Solbach (North, USA) followed closely in fourth.

In the women’s first race, Steph Bridge (North, GBR) led the women to the finish line. Bridge is a very powerful rider and most female competitors have to work extra hard to defeat her. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) finished in second while Katja Roose (Airush, NED) took third. German rider Kristin Boese (Best, GER) finished fourth.

In the second race, Olivier Dansin (North, FRA) returns to the beach due to a lost fin, which enabled him to finish the race. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) was in the lead rounding the mark first during the first lap. Sroka also managed to keep the lead for most of the race however battled with Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) all the way to the finish line. Van Der Vlugt had a small crash around the last mark but regained his composure quickly to finish the race before Sroka. In an attempt to cross the finish line in third place, Julien Kerneur crashed centimeters before the finish line thereby Sky Solbach (North, USA) takes third place by merely inches.

Katja Roose (Airush, NED) had an amazing second race today, waving her arms in the air in excitement as she crossed the finish line first. It is the first time since the competition began that a competitor other than Steph Bridge (North, GBR) crossed the finish line first. Steph Bridge (North, GBR) finished closely in second while French racer Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) takes third. Kristin Boese (Best, GER) finishes fourth.

In the final men’s race of the day Sky Solbach (North, USA) managed to lead the men to the finish line, followed by Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED) and Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA) who battled for second place. In the last seconds Sroka takes the lead finishing in second place while Van Der Vlugt takes third. Polish rider Blazej Ozog (North, POL) takes fourth.

In the final women’s race of the day, Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) leads the women to the finish line followed by Steph Bridge (North, GBR) who trailed inches behind and Katja Roose (Airush, NED) in third. Kristin Boese finished fourth.

Today marked the final day for the new Sky Masters discipline, which turned out to be extremely success. A huge thank you goes out to Shadow Box Inc. for providing there equipement to make the Sky Masters discipline possible. Numerous spectators watched from the beach as competitors made huge big air jumps. Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) is the new world record holder for jumping as high as 45.1 feet = 13.74 meters and Holly Kennedy remains the world record holder of 29.2 feet = 8.9 meters.

The Fuerteventura Kiteboarding World Cup 2010 is organized by Rene Egli with the help of many sponsors such as Rene Egli, Ayuntamiento de Pajara, Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Melia Gorriones, Fuerte Action, Tropical, NeilPryde and Cabrinha.

SKY MASTERS – SHADOWBOX RESULTS

MEN

1. Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) 45.1 feet = 13.74 meters

2. Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) 42.7 feet = 13.01 meters

3. Tom Herbert (Airush, NCL) 41.6 feet = 12.68 meters

4. Florian Daubos (North, FRA) 39.3 feet = 11.97 meters

WOMEN

1. Holly Kennedy (North, GBR) 29.2 feet = 8.9 meters

2. Kristin Boese (Best, GER) 29.1 feet = 8.86 meters

3. Angela Peral (North, ESP) 28.2 feet = 8.59 meters

3. Steph Bridge (North, GBR) 28.2 feet = 8.59 meters

4. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA) 27.4 feet = 8.35 meters

DAILY RACING RESULTS

DETAILED MENS RACING RESULTS

MEN RACE #10

1. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

2. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

3. Blazej Ozog (North, POL)

4. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

MEN RACE #11

1. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

2. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

3. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

4. Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA)

MEN RACE #12

1. Sky Solbach (North, USA)

2. Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA)

3. Rolf Van Der Vlugt (Airush, NED)

4. Blazej Ozog (North, POL)

DETAILED WOMEN RESULTS

WOMEN RACE #10

1. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

2. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

3. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

4. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

WOMEN RACE #11

1. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

2. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

3. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

4. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)

WOMEN RACE #12

1. Caroline Adrien (Cabrinha, FRA)

2. Steph Bridge (North, GBR)

3. Katja Roose (Airush, NED)

4. Kristin Boese (Best, GER)