Day 3 - Freestyle Goes Big at the Copa Mundial in Adicora

Jun-16-2012

Playing out once again with great wind, amazing people, and the best kiteboarding talent in the world, the Copa Mundial de Kitesurf Adicora provided onlookers with yet another astounding show – major maneuvers and complicated tricks showcased throughout the day. As this third day was expected to provide the most wind compared to days four and five, it was decided to focus on freestyle heats and move through the single eliminations straight into the doubles.
Singles kicked of for the day with heat #5, which featured Karolina Winkowska (POL) and Rocio Ines Campos (ARG), wherein Winkowska hit an impressive S-Mobe and Back to Blind. In around 18-20 knots of wind, Bruna Kajiya (BRA) and Gisela Pulido (ESP) also put forth their most advanced moves, scoring high and beating their competitors in early rounds. These two eventually went head to head in the women’s single elimination, Kajiya achieving the win.

The men also surprised and impressed the huge and growing crowd, as well as the online audience, which increased substantially throughout the day. Working with slight chop and shallow water on the inside, competitors Sebastian Garat (FRA) and Alex Pastor (ESP) threw down in one of the closest heats of the day, each man riding at his best and executing Front Blind Mobes, Grab KGBs, and 313s. Fellow countrymen, Kevin Langeree (NED) and Youri Zoon (NED) also went head to head, showing the crowd what major power and perfect precision really looks like. Mario Rodwald impressed yet again, holding his own and climbing to the top. Additionally, local Venezuelan, Manuel Millan (VEN) drew much praise from the beach, as he completed tricks with a smile and demonstrated immense pride in riding for his country. The men’s finals finally came down to Zoon and Rodwald in the winner’s final, and Langeree and Pastor in the loser’s final. The eventual results put Youri in first, Rodwald in second, Langeree in third, and Pastor in fourth. This put these riders in prime placement to go on to compete in the double eliminations.

Not long after the singles finished, the doubles began with tough match-ups between Brunaski Carillo (VEN) and Johnno Scholte (NED), Andrez Salazar (COL) and Victor Hays (FRA), as well as Reno Romeu (BRA) and Oscar Hurtado (VEN), who took part in one of the closest heats of the double eliminations. Early advancement of Christophe Tack (BEL), Sam Light (UK), and Nico Suriel (DR) were also major crowd pleasers. With the beach as full as ever, the doubles wound down for the day, ending with big, clean maneuvers from Alberto Rondina (ITA) and unfortunate minor injuries suffered by Stefan Spiessberger (AUS), who lost to Marc Jacobs (NZ) and Remeu who found trouble in the shallow water. Tomorrow, doubles will pick up again at heat #41, along with the likely addition of course racing.

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