Day 2:

Day two singled the start of the Freestyle main event and the continuation of the strong Brazilian trade winds. Twelve O’clock saw the Men take to the water on seven to nine meter kites with many opting to size down as the day carried on. The level of riding was as intense as in the trials with many of the men unleashing big 317’s or BS315’s in their heats. The Brazilians put on a graceful performance in the harsh conditions but sadly it was to be only the youngster Carlos Mario who would make it through to the next round. 

The Women took to the water on five meter kites across the board, with the harsh conditions appearing to be a challenge for most. The local Brazilian rider Dioneia Vieira had the best heat from the ladies posting up a nice Backmobe and Front to blind in the tricky conditions. It’s no suprise to see that the training at her local Brazilian spot Cumbuco has been paying off, it will be interesting to see how she performs tomorrow.

Aaron Hadlow had what appeard to be the start to a stella heat until retiring suddenly after his third trick. After the heat Aaron said that he had hurt his ribs training the days previous to the event and he was in too much pain to continue his heat. We wish Aaron all the best and hope he heals up in time for the final two events in China.

The pressure for the overall mens World title is still on with both Christophe Tack and Liam Whaley through to the quarter finals. Whaley rode a great heat in the harsh conditions posting up arguably the  cleanest and most powered heat of the day with a big Backside 315 sealing the deal over the talented Brazilian rider Set Teixeira. Tack on the other hand rode what appeared to be a quite reserved heat, whether that was his strategy or whether the car accident he was in a few days previous is holding him back remains to be seen, I guess we will know the answer to that question and more tomorrow. Either way both Tack and Whaley are through to the next round and tomorrow will be a new day of exciting competition.

With the wind in Barra Grande only strengthening throughout the day it’s been decided that tomorrows skipper meeting will be set for a slightly earlier time, we hope this will enable the riders to perform at their peak and we’re all excited to see the action un-fold tomorrow.

Day 1:

Day one brought the strong prevalent trade winds that Barra Grande is well known for, from sunrise the wind was in and it was just a matter time until it switched side-shore enough for consistent freestyle conditions. The trials got underway at twelve o’clock and the high level of riding in the strong conditions was something both competitors and judges were impressed with. The Brazilian riders really put on a show, all of them doing their up-most to try and qualify for the main event. 317’s and Backside 315’s were the flavour of the day with many Brazilian riders performing these technically difficult tricks in the strong, choppy competition conditions. Set Texiera probably showed us the most technical heat with an S-bend 7, Backside 317 and Frontside 317, no doubt he will be one to watch out for in the main event.

The highlight of the day was un-doubtably a huge un-makeable Slim Chance flicked by Carlos Madson, Madson appeared above the kite for a moment and everyone on the beach cringed a little as he tried to make it stick. The stella performance of the 9 year old (Mikaili Thompson) who made it through the Womens trials and into the main event can not be overlooked however as she is one of the youngest competitors ever to make the main draw. It will be interesting to see both of these Brazilian rippers tear it up in the main event in the days to come.

Conditions for the following days look amazing, as usual Barra Grande has delivered a solid wind forecast and the riders will have to show their best to make an impact on the judges in these strong conditions. Make sure you tune in to the PKRA Facebook page and Twitter feeds for all the action and competition info.

Registration Day:

Registration day for the eighth PKRA freestyle tour stop in co-operation with the ABK (Brazilian Kiteboarding Association) commenced today on the tropical shores of Barra Grande, Brazil. Many riders took advantage of the typically windy Brazilian conditions to get some training in before the trials elimination begins tomorrow.

A total of 47 men and 13 women registered for this pristine event with 21 Brazilian men and 5 Brazilian women thrown in the mix it’s sure to be a hotly contested trials ladder. The Brazilian riders are known to rule at their local beaches and I’m sure this event should prove no different! Make sure you tune in to see all the crazy action and some new faces on the water!

This event may prove important to a few riders as the World Title for both Men and Women is on the line. Belgium Christophe Tack could well wrap up the Mens World Title here in Barra Grande if he places in the top 2 positions. The young Spaniard Liam Whaley is hot on Tacks tails but it may prove difficult for Whaley to reel Tack back in needing to take out all three remaining tour stops or finishing no worse than 4th place in the chance Tack doesn’t make a podium finish here.

The Womens Title appears to be in a similar situation as the Mens with the Spanish Gisela Pulido also needing to take out the remaining 3 tour stops in front of Karolina Winkowska from Poland. If Winkowska finishes above Pulido in any position in this stop or the following two the Womens title race will also be over.

Barra Grande is one of the few tropical locations world wide that you can be almost guaranteed amazing wind forecasts on a daily basis, this should no-doubt prove to be a competition destination packed with amazing conditions, exciting action and coconuts at the ready! What’s not to be excited about?

als goed is kan Tack hier de titel pakken toch?

Tack heeft voorsprong van 680 punten, en het zal erg lastig worden voor Whaley om em nog in te halen. Er mogen iig 2 stops doorgestreept worden qua punten en misschien wel 3? 3 stop doorstrepen zou wel in t voordeel van Whaley zijn maar dan moet ie ze wel allemaal gaan winnen nu en dan moet Tack t laten lopen.

Heats zijn begonnen, er is blijkbaar geen livestream. Jerrie heeft iig t main event gehaald en heeft 1ste ronde al gewonnen zo te zien.

Live uitslagen: http://live.prokitetour.com/

13 locals btw 

Volgens mij is Tack nr1 als hij dit event wint of 2de wordt!

Hebben we wel s eerder gedacht met Aaron/Kevin, hangt van t aantal events af dat er geschrapt mogen worden. Als t er 3 zijn mag Liam er nog 1 schrappen van 520 punten............

jerry vd kop wint van hadlow, doet ie niet gek!

straks tack tegen youri

Hadlow moest opgeven:

Tough luck today, during my warm up session I had a bad crash and injured my rib, I tried to ride my heat but it was too painful to compete. I will wait to see how I feel over the next few days but I think I can safely say #PKRABrazilis over for me. All I can do now is rest and recover for the next event.

Youri gaat ook goed, Tack ook
en Jerry gaat helemaal lekker!

Youri wint van tack, toch nog last van t ongeluk? of is Youri echt op de weg terug?

Livestream werkt maar met haperingen.

Tack blijkt geblesseerd na het ongeluk.

Youri sowieso op de weg terug 

Geen idee of Tack nog last heeft ergens van?!

Heat gevolgd op de live stream. Vond dat de winst sowieso voor Youri was! liam lag meer in het water dan op zijn board. Appart regelssysteem blijft het die PKRA! 

Sloerie is back!