Kitesurfing PKRA World Tour Australia - Gold Coast 2010 event summary

by PKRA on 14 Dec 2010 PKRA World Tour Australia - Gold Coast 2010, 5-12 December 2010 event summary.

Day 7 - Saturday, 11 December 2010

When it rains, it definitively pours here on the Gold Coast. The seventh day of competition ended in the mid afternoon hours today due to the heavy rain, and non-existent wind. Riders and crew gathered at the event site in hopes of a change in the wind and weather forecast.

Despite the gloomy weather today, some riders just chilled while others such as the Flexifoil beauties Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) and Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR), as well as the North hunks Reno Romeu (North, BRA) and Mario Rodwald (North, GER) and a few others decided to take advantage of the fabulous surfing conditions.

A beach volleyball tournament was held inches away from the event site where heaps of women showed off their powerhouse athletic abilities.

The young beautiful bikini models from the Temple fashion show were also out at the beach today, posing for pictures in the rain with a few of the top named riders such as Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) the 2010 PKRA freestyle world tour title champion and Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) the Gold Coast PKRA freestyle single elimination winner.

The weather forecast for the last day of competition here on the Gold Coast looks very promising. Riders and crew will be eagerly waiting for any brief or sudden breaks in the weather in hopes of getting out on the water to show off some extreme kiteboarding action.

Friday, 10 December 2010
After six days of waiting for stable wind conditions, today was the day. The wind began to pick up in strength near noon and the first heats of the day gotunderway. Race director Olaf Van Tol made the decision to begin the day with the wave discipline, as the conditions were not 100% suitable for the freestylers.

The first heat of the day between Kelby Bright (North, NZL) and Mark Gee (BenWilsonSurf, AUS) was abandoned because the wind was still a bit too light to compensate for the strong current. A second attempt commenced 10 minutes later and was successfully completed as Bright took the lead with 7.67 points over Gee’s score of 5.50 points. Great sportsmanship was shown by Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) today, he stopped during his heat to pose for a picture taken by a couple of tourists watching the competition from the shoreline. Hebert’s score of 4.10 point was not enough to defeat opponent Paul Jackson (Naish, AUS) whom had a score totaling 6.50 points. Troy Gibson (Slingshot, AUS) eliminated Luca Hearn (North, AUS) in a very close heat with a total of 5.47 points over Hearn’s score of 5.17 points. Torrin Bright (Ozone, NZL) automatically advances as his opponent Daniel Bevan (F-One, AUS) did not start. Heat # 9A between Matt Tobin (Slingshot, AUS) and Stuey Martin (Cabrinha, AUS) was rerun due to a discrepancy. Martin won the rerun with a total of 8.33 points over Tobin’s score totaling 7.77 points.

A short pause was conducted in order to change disciplines. It was a full day of kiteboarding action. The men’s and women’s freestyle single eliminations wrapped up with great results. Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) was on fire winning 4 consecutive heats leading him into the final against the official 2010 PKRA World Tour champion and local superstar Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS). Hebert defeated Yates in a very close, 3/2 judge’s decision due to better execution on his switch tricks, a super nice NIS and an L3. Yates finished the singles in second place having eliminated Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL) in a very close heat with a 2/1 judge’s decision with power being the deciding factor. Yates also eliminated Mario Rodwald (North, GER) in yet another super close heat with a 2/1 judge’s decision; better execution of the same tricks was the deciding factor in this heat leading him into the semi finals against Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA). Yates took another win with a 3/2 judge’s decision which lead him to the final, while Rondina moved on to the loser’s final against Brazilian rider Reno Romeu (North, BRA). Rondina defeated Romeu with a 5/0 judge’s decision enabling him third place in the singles while Romeu takes fourth.

In the women’s freestyle division, it was a winning day for Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) who eliminated Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, GBR) as well as Jalou Langeree (Naish, NED) in two consecutive heats due to better power and degree of technical difficulty. Kajiya moved on to win the women’s final against Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) in a close 3/2 judge’s decision due to Kajiya’s excellent execution of switch tricks such as her Blind Judge 3 and performed with more power than Pulido who takes second place in the singles having defeated Shannon Ducker (Ozone, Australia) as well as Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR) which lead her to the final. It was a great day for Jalou Langeree (Naish, NED) who defeated Marine Sudre (Cabrinha, AUS) as well as New Caledonia women’s freestyle event winner Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) in a super close 2/1 judge’s decision. Both Langeree and Winkowska performed with full power however Langeree had a better variety of tricks enabling her a spot in the semi final against Kajiya. Langeree was defeated in the semi final by Kajiya, which enabled Langeree third place in the singles by defeating Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR) in the loser’s final where Schibevaag takes fourth.

The day finished with three women’s wave heats where Jalou Langeree (Naish, NED), Michelle England (Slingshot, AUS) and Almudena Naranjo (F-One, ESP) all move on to the third round. An award podium for the men’s and women’s freestyle single elimination winners was held on the beach where heaps of spectators watched and shared in on all the fun and excitement.

Wednesday, 08 December 2010 13:17
It was a beautiful fourth day of competition here in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia. The skippers meeting was held at 10:00am and all the riders were eager and ready to start the day.

Race director Olaf Van Tol made an announcement to postpone the start of the competition until the wind becomes more suitable. While the riders were waiting for wind everyone was out enjoying the warm, sunny weather and took in some fun surf sessions. Surfers Paradise offered waist high waves with shoulder high sets.

The top riders and local talent were out on the water in full force pulling off wave 360 and trying to get cover ups in the hallow beach break. Guilly Brandao was one of the standouts pulling clean aerials and nice cutbacks.

The 2010 PKRA freestyle World Tour title champion Andy Yates was also out showing off his surfing skills by catching the perfect spot every time. The light onshore wind was also a perfect opportunity for locals and kiteboarding enthusiasts to test trainer kites and land buggies. Wave competitor Ian Glaza was zooming around the beach on a buggy with a 12m kite.

The famous PKRA kiteboarding babes also took full advantage of the surf this afternoon. Bruna Kajiya, Karolina Winkowska, Jalou Langeree and Johara Sykes-Davies were all out in the line up catching their fair share of waves PKRA style… 'Go hard, or go home' is their motto.

Everyone had a really enjoyable happy day relaxing, fixing gear, reading the latest kitesurfing magazines and visiting the sponsor booths along the event site while sipping on Red Bull that’s got everyone super charged up for tonight’s party at the Temple. Riders are really looking forward to the fashion shows and Australian cocktails. No one knows how to put on a show quite like the Aussie’s do.

The wind is predicted to pick up in the next few days and with the 2010 wave title still up for grabs, all the tops guys and girls are staying very focused. We are looking forward to a possible match up between Guilly Brandao and Mitu Monteiro in the early rounds after local Australian and fast rise to stardom rider, Keahi De Aboitiz knocked out Guilly Brandao in the first round.

Even though Andy Yates is already known as the 2010 PKRA World Tour Champion he still needs to prove himself on his home turf in front of his family, friends, fans and local crowd. The best riders in the world are here in Australia ready to charge for a final chance at a podium spot in 2010, so no ones gets an easy ride in this competition.

Today justifies why so many tourists make the trip to Surfers Paradise, perfect warm sunny weather, waves, nice people with a really cool English accent and a great all around vibe.

No one says it better than the Aussie’s, 'Good’ day Mate'.

The PKRA Gold Coast Kitesurfing Pro 2010 event is sponsored in part by Nissan, Cabrinha, Red Bull, Gold Coast International Hotel, Fakie and The Temple with official partners Queensland Events, Gold Coast City Council, Tourism Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, Katz Management, Glamorous Life Swimwear, Lovebirds Australia, Mojoz Swimwear with special support by Minotaur Sports Management Party Ltd. MSL – Michael Sing Lawyers, Keystone Events and 12 Below.

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