Located on the expansive beaches of St. Peter Ording, Germany, the official PKRA grand slam event – The Beetle Kitesurf World Cup 2012 – kicked off today with registration and an impressive opening ceremony, featuring many talented riders from around the world. Known as the biggest and most well attended kiteboarding event in existence, the Beetle Kitesurf World Cup promises to deliver all the spectacular action and suspense that a world class event should. With the addition of the Airstyle discipline, the freestyle competition will prove to be especially interesting, as new faces and seasoned pros will go head to head in an all out battle for podium placements.
Over the course of the next 10 days, 123 total riders from 25 countries will compete for €52,000 in prize money. Defending World Champions, Youri Zoon (NED) and Gisela Pulido (ESP) will surely stay motivated to win for the second and third year in a row (respectively), while currently top-ranked competitors Alex Pastor (ESP) and Bruna Kajiya (BRA) look to break Zoon and Pulido’s streaks, hopefully claiming the championship titles. Three-time event champion, Kevin Langeree (NED) will also fight to regain his spot at the top, fresh off his win at the PKRA Kite Master’s event in Turkey and a recent second place finish in Venezuela.
With regards to the course racing discipline, the best riders on the planet have arrived to showcase their skills and vie for top placements at this prestigious and major event. For the first time since course racing’s acceptance as an Olympic sport, the PKRA competitor’s fleet will battle on the tumultuous and unforgiving waters of the North Sea, continually pushing boundaries and raising the level of this ever-growing sport segment. Surely, the top-ranked Americans, including John Heineken, Bryan Lake, and Adam Koch, as well as leading racers, Riccardo Leccese (COL), Olivier Dansin (FRA), and Julien Kerneur (FRA), will offer up some of the most incredible racing action seen this year. Furthermore, female frontrunners Katja Roose (NED) and Nuria Goma (ESP) are also in attendance, and plan to make their strongest showing yet, while others will fight to rise through the ranks and claim top titles.
As has been the case in previous years, St. Peter Ording will play host to a myriad of top riders, seasoned veterans, and even some newcomers to the competitive scene. Looking to compare their talents with the best in the world, many emerging riders will have the rare chance to exhibit their kiting talent in front of hundreds of onlookers, kiting enthusiasts, media, and press members. This, along with the impressive skill of international professional riders will culminate in an extraordinary world cup, one that will enthrall and attract the attention of countless individuals at the biggest kiteboarding event in the world.
Tomorrow, competition will officially begin when the wind permits. Forecasts call for lighter wind, ranging from 3-10 knots on Saturday; however, the constantly changing conditions of St. Peter Ording are well known and expected. Competitors will therefore remain ready to compete at a moment’s notice throughout the coming days. For updates and announcements regarding the Beetle Kitesurf World Cup, keep tuned in to the PKRA Facebook page and Twitter Feed. Updates will also be provided through the live stream, which can be accessed through the main PKRA website, at www.prokitetour.com.