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)