Day 5 - PKRA Racing & Freestyle Captivates Turkey

The last day of the Burn Kiteboard World Tour played out exactly as a final day should. The culmination of the entire event erupted in anticipation and excitement, as racers and freestyle competitors arrived at Burc Beach one last time, ready to give it their all. Contributing to this eagerness was the tight point tally between the competition’s top racers – specifically John Heineken (USA), who entered the day with 10.4 points, Bryan Lake (USA) with 10.1, and Adam Koch with 10.4. This equated to one of the closest world championship racing competitions in all of kiteboarding history

The first race of the day stood out as possibly the best race of the entire competition so far. The new course provided tactical challenges that made not only for good racing, but excellent spectating as well. In fact, Olivier Dansin (FRA) commented that the course was the perfect combination of fun and strategic racing. Interestingly, the windward mark proved to be the most difficult to make in each race. On the first attempt, Riccardo Leccese (COL) and Heineken took the most effective lines and broke ahead of the fleet. Around the second mark, Leccese took a strong lead and Lake fell behind as he attempted additional tacks. On his 15-meter, Leccese finished first as Koch pulled into second place in the last moments of the final lap.

The tenth official race drove the total points scores even closer, leaving spectators on the beach standing in anticipation of what was to come. At this point, many commented that this was racing at its finest. Some kites moved in perfect synchronization alongside one another, while others moved back and ahead in search of the perfect lay line. Heineken rounded the difficult windward mark first, while Lake’s strategies didn’t seem to work quite as well as he hoped. With the fleet on bigger kites, they all took insights from the initial race, hoping that this would benefit them the second time around. Heineken, Lake, and Leccese crossed the finish line first (respectively). Steph Bridge (GBR) also returned to competition after a daylong trip to cross the English Channel. Successful in her goals, she returned and still managed to achieve top placement in each race. Nuria Goma (ESP) earned a consistent second, while locals Merve Ceylan and Bilge Ozturk (TUR) moved in and out of third place throughout the day.

heineken turkey

Finally, race 11 turned out to be the most intense of them all, Heineken, Koch, Lake, and Leccese went into battle with the look of sheer determination and commitment. The biggest question was whether Lake or Heineken would achieve the championship title – and the next 30 minutes would be the ultimate deciding factor. From the start, Lake and Koch took a very different approach than the rest of the fleet; however, Leccese and Heineken rounded the first mark ahead of the rest. Olivier Dansin (FRA) gladly pulled into third, leaving Koch and Lake to fight for third and fourth place. Riccardo eventually came flying across the finish – Heineken in second and Dansin in third. Even though this was Leccese’s second win of the day, it was not quite enough to put him on the podium. Heineken, Lake, and Koch, on the other hand, came out on top, claiming the championship titles for the event.

Commenting on his racing experience, top Turkish racer – Salih Alexander Cakir - expressed his excitement about racing with the PKRA, saying, “It was an amazing experience racing for the first time with this world tour and seeing how I measured against the best racers on the planet. I hope to make it to more stops in the future and plan on representing my country in the Olympics as well.” Heineken also explained that it was a very up and down day, saying that the close point difference really put the pressure on in the toughest races of the week.

The freestyle Kite Master’s final heats also attracted a large crowd, as Kevin Langeree and Ariel Corniel first took to the water and displayed a mix of Board-offs, KGBs, and 313s. In 12-15 knots of wind on their 12 and 14 meter kites, the conditions were well suited to decide the final winners of the Burn Kiteboard World Tour. Langeree moved into the final, as did Christophe Tack, who advanced with big 7.5 Back Mobe and a nicely executed Board Flip (TicTak). In the final, featuring Tack and Langeree, Kevin achieved big scores with nothing below a 6.5, including a Late Mobe and Board-Off, while Tack pulled off a powered KGB and Board-off as well. In the end Langeree achieved victory with his mix of crowd-pleasing old school tricks and well-executed new school maneuvers.

All in all, the Burn Kiteboard World Tour proved to be a giant success, filled with incredible racing and outstanding freestyle action. As a first time tour stop for the PKRA World Tour, competitors and spectators certainly hope for a return visit to beautiful Turkey in 2013.

Day 4



Day 3 - The PKRA Plays at the Bosphorus


A break for the competitors of the Burn Kiteboard World Tour was had today at the incredible and beautiful site - Bosphorus - where the continents of Asia and Europe divide. Known not only for its heavy boat traffic and influence on regional commerce, the Bosphorus also retains reliable winds on most days, making it a perfect, yet usually off-limits location for kiteboarding. Today; however, was different, and as Adam Koch so simply stated, “It was really amazing of them to allow us to hold this event here.” For some, especially the local riders, it was a dream come true. Boat traffic was temporary halted – major freighters but on standby - as both racers and freestylers got a chance to kite this continental boundary.

Impressive as well was the venue from which spectators watched. An entire village was created for this special event that boasted a huge snowboard ramp that sent boarders into the water, a skate ramp, and an exclusive lounge and VIP area, among other features. A unique highlight of the day – the Flyboard – sent a few willing participants jetting into the air, over the water, propelling them through the river like science fiction super heroes. The most willing and successful volunteer, Kevin Langeree, showed off his skills, displaying his quick learning curve and superior abilities of balance and concentration as he smiled his way through the surreal experience.

Day three was also marked with many laughs, friendly Turkish hospitality, and happy competitors, who were grateful for this day of relaxation and lighthearted fun. Tomorrow, racing and freestyle will return, as wind is likely to blow from 9-19 knots. As usual, stay tuned via Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and announcements.

Day 2 - An Inspired Day of Racing at Burc Beach



Racers and freestylers returned on the second day of the Burn Kiteboard World Cup with lighter wind than the day prior. Measuring 7-12 knots throughout the morning and afternoon, competitors entered the water around 11:45, more determined than ever to improve their placemenst and claim greater leads. Interestingly, after day one, John Heineken (USA) and Bryan Lake (USA) stood exactly even in the overall ranking, with a 5.7 total score. This meant that today’s races would carry even more weight, breaking this tie, and allowing for the ever-important ‘discard’, which each racer is allowed.

Race four required somewhat more time than races one, two, and three – due to the lighter winds; however, the course went unchanged. Along with the ocean current and variable winds, new challenges were brought to competitors, who faced wind “holes” and the need for new strategizing tactics. Heineken came out ahead in this race, after taking an opposite starting tack than most, while Steph Bridge (GBR) also held strong in her consistently first place completions.

The fifth race started with a tangle between Adam Koch (USA) and Alex Vychegzhanin (UKR), who later protested the occurance. Others went on with highly varied lay lines, Heineken and Riccardo Leccese (COL) separating from the pack, and Olivier Dansin (FRA) and Salih Alexander Cakir (TUR) fighting it out in a head-to-head battle. Cakir, the talented local racer, impressed many participants and spectators at this event, consistently placing in the top five and rising through the ranks since day one. In the last minutes of this race, Leccese gained a significant lead from the rest of the fleet, while Lake pulled ahead and Koch caught up with impressive speed, despite his tangle debacle at the start.

Always an entertaining finisher, Leccese crossed the finish line on race two with a victory scream, very pleased with his performance. In retelling his version of the events of the day, Leccese said, “I still have to perfect my new kites to get them just right, but I was very happy with my finish. I took several risks and different tacks, which helped me to come out ahead.” Riccardo went on to explain that he only has use of two kites at this stop in Turkey, so winds that fit his kite sizes are key. Even with this slight disadvantage, Leccese keeps an upbeat attitude regarding the remainder of the event, hoping for continued top placement finishes against this fleet of talented international racers.

In total, two races were completed and no freestyle heats were run, as the wind proved to be too light for such competition. Tomorrow, riders look forward to kiting in the Istanbul Strait and witnessing the sights of this vibrant city.


Day 1 - The Burn Kiteboard World Tour Begins



Arriving to wonderfully windy conditions on day one of the Burn Kiteboard World Tour in Istanbul, Turkey, competitors readied themselves for a full morning and afternoon of kiteboarding action. The day began with an official press conference featuring the major players that have contributed to the production of this event. Current World Champion, John Heineken (USA) as well as the currently fourth ranked, Kevin Langeree (NED) joined the conference also, providing their appreciation for event sponsor involvement and the city of Istanbul for hosting this special PKRA tour stop. Major sponsors including Burn, Quicksilver, Oakley, NTV Spor, and Virgin Radio, among others, demonstrated their support for the official course racing and kite master’s event, and acknowledged the growing importance of the sport in light of its recent entrance as an Olympic discipline.

Throughout the day, wind ranged from 13-20 knots, holding steady in the high teens for the majority of the day in a side-onshore direction. Racing kicked off the competition in the early afternoon, as 23 competitors entered the water and battled it out for lead positioning. In each race, the top-ranked riders, including John Heineken (USA), Bryan Lake (USA), Adam Koch (USA), Riccardo Leccese (COL), and Olivier Dansin (FRA) went head to head at the front of the pack. Lake and Heineken most often took varied approaches, while several of them also missed a few marks throughout the duration, which kept the battles interesting and varied. Random wind shifts also forced riders to readjust their lay lines and strategize more carefully with each passing minute. The second race turned out to be especially eventful, with Koch and Heineken just inches away from each other at the finish line – Heineken pulling forward in the last seconds. Steph Bridge (GBR) also impressed by consistently finishing in the top 8, beating out the majority of men who competed alongside her. Race three proved to be the last of the day, resulting in the overall afternoon’s rankings so far (shown below).

Olivier Dansin (FRA) commented on the day of racing, saying, “I really like it here. The conditions are good and it is a great place to race. The wind was strong and the gusts made it more challenging, but fun.” Dansin said he is especially excited to kite in the Istanbul Strait on Friday as well

The Kite master’s portion also offered much entertainment and spectacle, as top competitors showed off their best mix of old and new school tricks. Kevin Langeree revealed, "The conditions were getting really light, and it’s pretty difficult to pull off a ton of tricks in only five minutes, but I managed some good old school board offs and one-handed tricks.” Langeree also executed more difficult new school maneuvers, as did Ariel Corniel (DR), who completed a powered Front Mobe and Slim Chance, among others.

Tomorrow, forecasts call for steady yet lighter winds, which will likely provide perfect conditions for racing and suitable winds for the continuation of the kite masters portion of the event.




Registration Day - The PKRA Arrives in Turkey

The PKRA descended on Turkey today along with 23 racers and 12 freestyle competitors, ready to show off their very best on the waters of the Black Sea. With an ideal event site at Burc Beach and expectedly favorable conditions to come (between 10-24 knots), the week ahead looks to be an eventful and exciting one, filled with the biggest names in kiteboarding and set at one of the most beautiful locations in the region.

Many local riders turned up for registration day as well, excited to compete against the best kite racers and freestylers on the globe, to find out where they stand in this premier world tour event. The wind picked up at the end of the day, measuring 15 knots of onshore wind. With a full five days ahead, including a day trip to the Istanbul Strait – the water divide that forms a boundary between Asia and Europe - riders will be sure to have fun both on and off the water, experiencing the conditions, culture, and people of Turkey. In fact, the event has gained exclusive permission in order for riders to be able to kite on this section of water; a rare and special occurrence for many of the local competitors that will participate in the event this week.

The Burn Kiteboard World Tour will also feature the live stream throughout the competition at www.live.prokitetour.com. In addition, fans and followers can stay apprised of all the latest happenings via Twitter and Facebook.

Net toegekomen
't is donker!

Day 4 - Competition Continues in Turkey

Jun-30-2012
Day four of the Burn Kiteboard World Tour in Istanbul, Turkey, allowed for both racing and freestyle action, packed full of surprising turns and impressive outcomes. Starting first, the racers embarked on a new course in the early afternoon, one that retained a greater downwind leg than previous courses of the competition. This forced competitors to re-analyze their approach. This course was also defined more by speed than tactics, which seemed to benefit Bryan Lake (USA) and Adam Koch (USA) throughout the duration of the day.



In race six, Oliver Bridge (GBR) did amazingly well, and has shown himself to be an incredibly talented racer. Only 14 years old, Bridge held first place for some time, later falling back only slightly into an eventual 5th place, when he was passed in the very last seconds by Riccardo Leccese (COL). Salih Alexander Cakir also managed to pass top racer, Olivier Dansin, just inches from the finish line, making his friends on the beach incredibly proud.

Race seven provided similar results, with Heineken (USA), Koch, Lake, and Leccese holding strong in the front of the fleet. Koch and Lake fought further ahead than the rest, as Lake eventually gained a huge lead over every other racer, finishing first. While Heineken and Leccese exchanged third and fourth positions throughout this race, Heineken eventually came out ahead, earning third. When asked about the course, Koch commented, “The course was actually really fun. The downwind became more tactical than the other races.“ Additionally, Bridge revealed that the conditions were quite gusty and variable.





Lastly, race eight was conducted in 9-14 knots of wind. The fleet took different lines and Lake pulled ahead once again in the early minutes of the competition. Heineken also missed one of his last marks twice over, which set him back significantly. The local female racer, Merve Ceylan (TUR) also achieved her first, first place finish in this competition, ecstatic to be make such good time. Nuria Goma (ESP) commented on the length and design of this course, explaining that she preferred the previous day’s course; however, Goma still holds a strong overall position in the overall rankings and continues to be a consistent and formidable competitor for the other women to measure themselves against.

The Kite Master’s portions also continued today. Executing a mix of old school and new tricks, riders were happy to see sufficient wind to carry out competition. Kevin Langeree (NED) earned the highest score of the day, while Christophe Tack (BEL) threw down the highest scoring old school maneuver – a big air-flip. Locals tried their hardest against top riders like Ariel Corniel (DR) and Patrick Blanc (ESP), while the packed beach looked on with amusement.





Tomorrow, the freestyle semi-finals and finals will complete the Kite Masters portion of the Burn Kiteboard World Tour. It will also be the last day of racing, which will be followed by a special awards ceremony and closing party, hosted by Virgin Radio at Burc Beach. For the top competitors, hopes remain high that this last day will bring top podium placements.

yeees kevin 1

Kevin 1 en Tack 2, lekkerrrrr

Waar was Youri?

@DM2008, dit was een event die niet telt voor de ranking. Is meer een soort competitie ter promotie van de sport.
Als't goed is kunnen er maar 12 riders inschrijven voor events zoals deze

Quote: ostendlocal - 2 juli, 2012 (11:18)@DM2008, dit was een event die niet telt voor de ranking. Is meer een soort competitie ter promotie van de sport.Als't goed is kunnen er maar 12 riders inschrijven voor events zoals dezeOkay duidelijk, Thanks! Had het wel mooi gevonden als Kevin een officiële zou winnen, lekker druk aan de top!

Kitemasters (zo heten deze promotie events) krijg je wel punten voor bij de IKA ranglijst.

Ja dat misschien wel, maar naar die ranking telt nergens voor mee