Gale force winds dominate the third day of competition

The wind forecast for today predicted extremely strong winds, but it was in fact nearly twice as strong. Freestylers prepared for the intense wind by pumping up kites the size of umbrellas. Sand was flying in every direction making it super difficult to stand in one place for longer than 5 minutes without becoming a sand sculpture.

At the 10:00am freestyle riders meeting, race director Erik Troostheide announced that the wind was already averaging 27-35 knots, which is 7-8 on the Beaufort scale with a mean speed of 37 knots. Troostheide stated that he would commence with the women’s freestyle double eliminations because the wind is expected increase in speed throughout the day making it extremely difficult to perform.

A total of two women’s heats were completed today. Advancing into the second round are Laura Fernandez (Cabrinha, ESP) who defeated Aya Oshima (Cabrinha, JPN) and Angela Peral (North, ESP) who eliminated Holly Kennedy (North, GBR).

In the men’s division, Johnno Scholte (Slingshot, NED) defeats Russian competitor Artem Garashchenko (Cabrinha, RUS) but is later eliminated by Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL). Hebert also defeated Sergey Belmesov (Liquid Force, RUS) and advances in the next heat against Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) who eliminated Sergey Borisov (Best, RUS) as well as fellow Italian Alessandro Lugaresi (Nobile, ITA).

The remaining double elimination heats will wrap up on Saturday, the last day of competition. Wave conditions were not suitable for the wave competitors today, therefore competition came to an early end this afternoon and will resume tomorrow.

Sebastiien Garat (RRD, FRA) decided to have a little extra fun today by testing out the Shadow Box in the extreme wind conditions here in El Medano, Tenerife. Garat tested the Shadow Box in Fuerteventura, Spain last week and managed to reach a height of 45.1 feet. Garat was more determined than ever to beat his current world record jump. He succeeded by reaching 52 feet making it the highest jump recorded on the Shadow Box to date on a PKRA World Tour Competition.

The mandatory riders’ meeting for the wave discipline is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:00am.

The El Medano Kiteboarding World Cup is supported in part by: Volumen Canarias, Turismo Granadilla De Abona Turismo De Tenerife, Ilustre Ayuntamiento De Granadilla De Abona, Coca Cola, Red Bull, Cruzcampo, Hotel Aeropuerto Sur, Hotel Mare Nostrum Resort, ASEC El Medano, Club De Kitesurf Borde De Ataque, PKRA, IKA, ISAF.