Day 5:

A challenging day for the riders today at the Virgin Kitesurf World Championships as the wind failed to arrive as had been forecasted. The Men's Freestyle Elimination Quarter finals were all set to get underway, but unfortunately had to be called off after only one heat.
 
The day's events were supposed to commence with heat number 25, Current World Champion Christophe Tack (BE/Liquid Force) against Dominican rider Posito Martinez(DR/Da Silva). However, due to an injury which he sustained two days ago, Posito was unable to compete, meaning Tack passed through to the Semi Finals automatically.



The following heat was a true battle seeing 1x World Champion Alex Pastor (ES/Best) up against rival and 2x World Champion Youri Zoon (NL/Best). Youri commenced his heat well with a spectacular Back-side 317 and seemed to be ready to give it his all. However as the winds lightened slightly, Zoon struggled to maintain the same power and confidence with which he had started, and the advantage went to Pastor who managed to maintain good height and power, launching himself into an outstanding KGB5. The victory finally went to Pastor, who was delighted with his efforts as it is the first time this year that he has managed to beat the Dutch rider Zoon.


 
The wind unfortunately dropped over the course of the day, making it impossible to run the following heats, which will instead take place tomorrow. The pressure is now on for the final day, with the top rider's hoping that Fuerteventura will produce the goods, and provide them with enough wind to complete both the Freestyle and Big Air events.



During the afternoon, the local spectators were invited to an autograph session with 9x World Champion Gisela Pulido, 1x World Champion Alex Pastor, 1x World Champion Bruna Kajiya, and Spanish rider of the moment, David Tonijuan.

Day 4:

The competitors awoke to an unusually overcast morning on day four of the Virgin Kitesurf World Championship, not the usual bright, burning sun that they had grown accustomed to over the previous days. Unfortunately for this spot, overcast weather also generally means lighter wind, and so the riders were not greeted with the stronger winds that had been forecasted and hoped for in order to commence the Big Air discipline.
 
However, following the 11.30 am rider's meeting, the competition eventually got underway, with the wind blowing approximately 17 to 20 knots.



Although the guys struggled to gain good height during their heats, they still managed to put on a great performance for the many spectators who had come to watch this sensational discipline. Advancing through to the third round for the Men were Marius Hoppe (DE/Core),Carlos Mario (BR/Slingshot), Paul Serin (FR/Naish), Marc Jacobs (NZ/Switch), Robinson Hilario (DR/F-One), Ariel Corniel (DR/Naish), Lewis Crathern (GB/Best), Aaron Hadlow(GB/ North), Eudazio Da Silva (BR/Nobile), Oswald Smith (ZA/Airush) and Kevin Langeree(NL/Naish).
 
The wind lightened up even more as the Women's rounds got started. The girls did their very best to put on a strong performance despite the wind dropping, and managing to advance through to the next round was Annelous Lammerts (NL/Slingshot), Hannah Whiteley(GB/Best), Annabel Van Westerop (AUA/Cabrinha) and Gisela Pulido (ES/Best).
 
Hopefully tomorrow Fuerteventura will stay true to it's name and provide us with the strong winds that it is now known for. The island is also famous for its 50km of long, golden beaches, which welcome thousands of kitesurfers and windsurfers each year to enjoy it's optimal conditions. 

Day 3:

The third day of the VKWC World Championship on Fuerteventura saw an immediate start to the action directly after the 11am rider's meeting. With the conditions for the day looking good, the riders prepared themselves to be immediately immersed in the day's events, and to continue with the Men's and Women's Freestyle Eliminations.
 
The first heat of the day saw Marc Jacobs (NZ/Switch) face Brazilian rider Alex Neto(BR/Best). Jacobs started his heat riding strong and fully powered on his 9m kite, but took a massive crash whilst performing a Hinterberger Mobe. Neto maintained a more constant performance throughout the heat, also throwing a Hinterberger Mobe and nice S-Mobe. Halfway through the heat, Marc decided to change kite to a smaller size, as the wind appeared to be increasing to above 30 knots. In the end, Neto's consistency gave him the advantage and he passed through to the next round.

Whilst the wind was gradually increasing, it was time for Russian rider Sergei Borisov(RU/Slingshot) to compete against Dominican rider Posito Martinez (DR/Da Silva). Martinez managed to nail an impressive 317 in the tough conditions riding on his 7m kite. Borisov executed a good S-Mobe and Backmobe, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to beat the Dominican rider.

For heat number 12, Michael Shitzhofer (AT/Best) faced the young dutch rider Rens Van Der Schoot (NL/Cabrinha). The young rider performed well, but was unable to beat the Austrian rider who showed more experience and flow, which in turn, opened the door for him to the next round.



As the eliminations continued, the beach began filling up with spectators. Fuerteventura never fails to disappoint, so people are happy to travel from all over the world to come and visit this amazing location and get a piece of the action. The strong winds continued to blow with gusts reaching up to 35 knots, and it was the chance for young Belgian rider Jerome Cloetens(BE/North) to prove his ability in these strong wind conditions. Jerome, being based in Tarifa, Spain and accustomed to training in the strong levante winds, was able to defeat Lewis Crathern (GB/Best) by fighting through the strong gusts and performing an impressive Hinterberger Mobe right at the end of his heat.

Also passing through to the next round was Stefan Spiessberger (AT/North) who landed an impressive S-Mobe right at the end of his heat, beating Dominican rider Ariel Corniel(DR/Naish). Although Ariel did not make it through to the following round, he did put in a solid and consistent performance, with the crowds loving his power and speed which he exhibited during his heat.

Passing over to the women's Quarter Finals, the opening heat saw Spanish rider Gisela Pulido (ES/Best) defeat Annelous Lammerts (NL/Slingshot). Both riders displayed good determination but it was Gisela who passed on to the next round, landing a stylish S-Mobe and Hinterberger mobe. The wind conditions were particularly strong at this point, but that didn't stop Annabel Van Westerop (Aruba/Cabrinha) from giving it her all and nailing a 313 and Blind Judge during her heat, which gave her the advantage over Polish rider Helena Brochoka (PL/Liquid Force). Following suit in the next heat was Paula Novotna (CZ/North) who rode superbly, landing a great Back to Blind which gave her the win over Hannah Whiteley (GB/Best).



The final Women's heat of the day was a duel between Current World Champion Karolina Winkwoska (PL/Slingshot) and Former World Champion Bruna Kajiya (BR/Airush). Both riders put on an amazing display of powered riding but eventually it was Brazilian rider Bruna who passed through to the next round, after an impressive heat where she rode hard on her new 2016 airush gear and put on a great show for the spectators. It was a very close heat where both girls could be proud of their efforts considering the challenging wind and wave conditions, and was in fact the first heat of the year that Winkowska was unable to win.

Round 3 of the men got underway with a great heat between Current World Champion Christophe Tack (BE/Liquid Force) and Brazilian rider Alex Neto (BR/Best). It was a close heat, but eventually it was Tack who advanced, after landing a great Front Blind Mobe and Backside 315. Neto landed a perfect KGB with great speed and an equally impressive Crow Mobe 5, but unfortunately it was not enough to get him through to the next round. Joining him in the Quarter Finals will be Posito Martinez (DR/DaSilva), who gained the advantage ofPatrick Blanc (ES/Ozone) by landing the most impressive trick of the day, a powered and explosive 317.

Heat 19 saw Alex Pastor (ES/Airush) battle it out against his fellow Airush team rider Oswald Smith (ZA/Airush). Smith failed to land his best tricks until the end of the heat, whilst Pastor managed to maintain more consistency which finally allowed him to pass through to the next round. For heat 20, Former World Champion Youri Zoon (NL/Best) put on another display of solid and confident riding, throwing down a 317 and Backside 315, giving him the advantage over fellow Best rider Michael Schitzhofer (AT/Best).



Brazilian rider Eudazio Da Silva (BR/Nobile) took some big crashes during his heat againstPaul Serin (FR/Naish), but managed to pull off an impressive Double Heart Attack, however it was not enough to defeat the French rider. For heat 22, the young Jerome Cloetens(BE/North) now had to face Brazilian rider Carlos Mario (BR/Slingshot) in some very gusty and choppy conditions, which made trick execution and successful landing even more difficult. Jerome performed some solid and powerful tricks, but unfortunately could not match the 317 and Backside 315 of Mario. The young brazilian passed through to the next round and will be hoping to gain a place on the podium once again during this event.

Dominican rider Robinson Hilario (DR/F-One) put up a good battle but was defeated by Spanish rider David Tonijuan (ES/Cabrinha) who managed to perform the best Back Mobe 5 of the day. For the final heat of the day, Aaron Hadlow (GB/North) faced Austrian Stefan Spiessberger (AT/North) in a great heat to decide who would take the last place in the Quarter Finals. Eventually it was Hadlow who took the win with a stylish and powered Front Blind Mobe and Back Mobe 5. Spiessberger put up a good fight, but was unable to land his signature S-Mobe on this occassion.

Day 2:

Today the Virgin Kitesurf World Championships got started with a full day of action on the crystal clear waters of Sotavento beach, with spectators lining up to watch the first rounds of the Men's and Women's freestyle event.
 
Following the 11am rider's meeting, the day's events commenced with the Women's Freestyle Elimination. Fuerteventura's well known strong wind was blowing in full force, and the girls prepared themselves to compete in the forecasted 25 to 30 knots. Using kite sizes ranging from 6 to 9 metres, the girls were powered up and ready to battle it out on the water.
 

The first heat commenced with 9x World Champion Gisela Pulido (ES/Best) who hit the water together with UK rider and fellow Best kiteboarding team mate Hannah Whiteley(GB/Best). The Spanish rider came in shortly after to change to a larger kite. This enabled her to continue her heat in a powerful and stylish manner which allowed her to advance over her fellow team mate.

Next heat up was Brazilian rider and 1x World Champion  Bruna Kajiya (BR/Airush) who facedAnnabel Van Westerop (Aruba/Cabrinha) and Danish newcomer Therese Taabbel(DN/Cabrinha). It was Annabel who advanced in first place, with Bruna in second and Therese in third.

As the wind gradually continued to increase, it was time for current World Champion Karolina Winkoska (PL/ Slingshot) to face fellow Polish rider Helena Brochoka (PL/Liquid Force) Karolina was on fine form throwing down the highest women's score of the day of 34.65 nailing a powerful S-bend to blind. This allowed her to advance over Helena.

For the girls, Round 2 got underway, which meant Annelous Lammerts (NL/Slingshot) was to face Therese Taabbel (DN/Cabrinha), a battle to see who would gain a spot in the quarter finals. Therese performed well despite having sustained an injury during her first heat of the day and having to receive two stitches, but she continued to perform with determination. However, it wasn't enough to beat dutch rider Annelous who scored a 7.1 S-bend to blind amongst other powered tricks which allowed her break through to the next round. Joining her in the quarter finals will be Bruna Kajiya (BR/Airush) who defeated Spanish rider Rita Arnaus(ES/Best) in the final women's heat of the day. 

 

The Men's freestyle elimination took place as the winds increased to over 30 knots. The guys were using a variety of kite sizes ranging from 9 to 11 metres. Current World Champion Christophe Tack (BE/Liquid Force) showed determination and style in his first heat, where he defeated french rider Paul Serin (FR/Naish) and Posito Martinez (DR/Da Silva). The Belgian current World Champion performed a massive back mobe which scored him 7.35 and gave him the advantage.

Heat 2 saw Patrick Blanc (SP/Ozone) take the win over Jerome Cloetens (BE/North) andMarc Jacobs (NZ/Switch). The spanish rider performed some great tricks including a backside 315 scoring 8.03.

Spanish rider and 2013 World Champion Alex Pastor (ES/Airush) won his heat and defeated fellow Spaniard David Tonijuan (ES/Cabrinha) and Rens Van der Schoot (NL/Cabrinha) by performing an impressive Front Blind Mobe that scored him a 7.43.

As the renowned winds of Fuerteventura continued to blow, 2x World Champion Youri Zoon(NL/Best) put on a great performance with a powerful start to his heat performing an explosive Backside 317. He dominated his heat showing confidence with his doubles throughout, which allowed him to defeat Dominican rider Ariel Corniel (DR/Naish).

Heat number 5 saw Brazilian riders Eudazio Da Silva (BR/Nobile) and Alex Neto (Br/Best) put on a great display alongside UK rider Lewis Crathern (UK/Best), with Eudazio being the dominating rider and finally taking the win.

Dominican rider Robinson Hilario (DR/Fone) delivered the goods today with a strong performance which included a Heart Attack scoring 6.58 that gave him the advantage overOswald Smith (SA/Airush) and Stefan Speissberger (Aus/North).

The 17 year old Brazilian rider Carlos Mario (BR/Slingshot) managed to defeat RussianSergei Borisov (RUS/Slinghshot) in heat number 6. Even though both riders crashed their kites shortly after the start of the heat, Carlos Mario managed to perform a Slim 5 that scored him 7.0 points and gave him the win.

The final men's heat of the day saw UK rider and 5 x World Champion Aaron Hadlow(GB/North) ride a solid heat performing a Backside 315 and impressive back mobe 5, allowing him to defeat Austrian rider Michael Schitzhofer (AT/Best).

Day 1:

The Virgin Kitesurf World Championship (VKWC) is extremely happy to be welcomed to Sotavento, Fuerteventura, for what is set to be an action-packed week for spectators and competitors alike.  Sotavento is a spot that never fails to deliver in action and excitement, and this, being the 15th year of the Kitesurf World Cup, will be no exception. Welcome to the 2015 Fuerteventura Kitesurf World Championship hosted by Rene Egli Center. 

The guys and girls of the VKWC are preparing themselves to battle it out on the water, in both the freestyle and big air disciplines. Let's get ready to watch the World's elite kiteboard riders fight their way up the competition ladder, fuelled by Fuerteventura's renowned nuclear winds. 

Sotavento is located on Fuerteventura's South-east coast, an area now famous for it's great weather, beautiful beaches and strong winds. It's possibly one of the hardest stops on the World Tour due to the challenging strong wind conditions. At this location, anything can happen, so be prepared to enjoy all of the action each day and stay tuned for our regular updates. 

Registered for the freestyle event we have 21 men and 10 women of 14 different nationalities. With Liam Whaley (ES/Cabrinha) out of the event due to his injury the doors are wide open for Aaron Hadlow (GB/North), Youri Zoon (NL/Best) or the young Carlos Mario (BR/Slingshot) to be the front runners of the event. Let's not forget about Marc Jacobs (NZ/Switch) who showed amazing strength and consistency gaining himself a podium finish at the last World Tour event in Tarifa. He will once again be fighting hard for one of the top positions. 

On the girl's side, Karolina Winkowska (PL/Slingshot) will be hoping to gain yet another event win under her belt. It is proving to be a succesful year for the Polish 2x World Champion. Hot on her heels will be 9x World Champion Gisela Pulido (ES/Best) and 1x World Champion Bruna Kajiya (BR/Airush). However also showing great consistency and power in their riding are Annelous Lammerts (NL/Slingshot) and Paula Novotna(CZ/North) who have been training hard since the last event and are ready to put up a fight to gain a podium finish. 

For the Big air, Sotavento promises to be a spectacular location for this discipline, and we can look forward to the riders putting on an amazing show. Watch out for the previous event winners, Kevin Langeree (NL/Naish), Marius Hoppe (DE/Core) or Ariel Corniel (DR/Naish) who will be sure to take full advantage of the strong wind conditions in order to fight their way to the top. 

The girls are also sure to battle through the challenging conditions to try and secure a top result. We have Gisela Pulido (ES/Best), the previous Big Air event winner, who will battle it out with Hannah Whitely (UK/Best), Spanish rider Rita Arnaus (ES/Best) amongst all the others who will want to do their very best to secure a good overall result.

Rens verslagen door Aaron is geen schande. Zie Youri nog niet langskomen in de verslagen.

Annabel verslaat Bruna 

Vanaf 12 uur live audio verslag hierr: www.lewiscrathern.com/live