Na de WKL Cumbuco afgelopen week zijn de nieuwe WKL kampioenen bekend!
Bij de heren:
1. Carlos Mario (Brazil)
2. Liam Whaley (Spain)
3. Set Teixeira (Brazil)
Bij de dames:
1. Bruna Kajiya (Brazil)
2. Annabel van Westerop (Netherlands staar er in de mailing van de WKL maar daar komt ze officieel niet voor uit volgens ons)
3. Francesca Bagnoli (Italy)
2nd Place - Liam Whaley - Spain
Liam Whaley had an exceptional start to the season, taking the win at our first event in Leucate, France. He has battled through several injuries that made it hard for him to train as much as he really wanted to, but he still managed to perform exceptionally well at each event. He finished 4th at our last event in Egypt, and takes a well deserved 2nd place overall for 2017.
"I'm so happy to finish the season in 2nd place. It's been amazing competing against these guys. Im looking forward to 2018 and competing again. Thanks to all of my sponsors and family for their support." Liam Whaley
3rd Place - Set Teixeira - Brazil
It has been a fantastic year for Brazilian rider Set Teixeira, who commenced with a 3rd place podium finish in Leucate. He continued riding the rest of the year with determination, and managed to constantly achieve good results, improving on his riding with each heat. This year he achieves his best ever result, 3rd place overall for 2017.
"I’m feeling very good after my best year in the tour, getting a proud result for myself. My training days in the water and in the gym, working with good people that are involved with kiteboarding is important for my athlete career. I’m always grateful to my sponsors for the support making my objectives possible! My main objective is always do better every year with my projects. Training for the tour next year and i will work with more people that will make my year a huge one! Thanks to the wkl tour and all the people that are involved in making our tour better every year! My objective is always do better every year with my projects. Training for the tour next year and i will work with more people that will make my year a huge one! Thanks to the WKL tour and all the people that are involved in making our tour better every year!" Set Teixeira
Women:
1st Place - Bruna Kajiya - Brazil
A third World Title for the incredibly talented Bruna Kajiya! What a season she has had. Each event saw Kajiya riding with even more confidence, performing incredible tricks with power and determination. This has catapulted her to the top of the rankings, and she is delighted to be winning this 2017 World Title in her home country, Brazil.
"I am so happy winning my third World Title. It's been incredible, and I never dreamed I would get so far. I feel so fortunate to be doing what I love, what I have so much passion for, and to be able to do it well and share that with other people is amazing." Bruna Kajiya - 2017 World Champion
2nd Place - Annabel van Westerop - Netherlands
Annabel van Westerop has had an outstanding season, and managed to achieve her best overall result ever, even while facing the difficult task of studying at university while competing. Van Westerop finished 2nd in Leucate at the first event of the year, and 3rd place in both Akyaka and El Gouna. She is delighted to complete 2017 with such a high ranking, and will be back next season for more!
"Finishing 2nd in the World.... words can't explain how grateful I am. Competing the past few years has been such a special journey and I can't believe I have been able to make such an improvement again this year, making it from 3rd place last year, to 2nd this year! It is more challenging than ever to do well and this motivates me even more to keep stepping it up and make my dreams come true." Annabel van Westerop
3rd Place - Francesca Bagnoli - Italy
2017 has been incredible for Bagnoli, after she managed to qualify for the Elite League after our first event in Leucate. This is her first year competing full-time and she has showed some amazing progress and talent. Several podium finishes have led her to achieve 3rd place overall for 2017. We are looking forward to seeing plenty more from this young Italian rider!
"This is was an awesome year for me. I’ve always dreamt to be one of the top riders in the world and finally, after all the training and sacrifices, my dream came true. I still cannot believe that I’m sharing the podium with 2 amazing girls and strong riders as Bruna and Annabel. I didn’t expect that from my first year in the elite league but all the hard work paid off. Thanks to that result next year I’m still able to compete in the elite league and I’m even more motivated to improve my riding and do better in competition." Francesca Bagnoli