Full day of action at Day 1 of IKA Youth Freestyle World Championships

by IKA on 7 Apr 2017 Since twelve years, for a week in April the little town of St. Pierre La Mer becomes the breeding place for kiteboarding champions of the next general. The annual junior cup has been the European Freestyle Youth Championship since 2005, and since two years it is now the World Championship.

It is very early on the first day of the competition, seeing 70 young riders between nine and 21 years pumping up their kites before the skippers meeting. The Tramontana is already blowing with 25 knots, but the forecast gives the race committee only one day to complete as much as possible of the schedule.

Adding to the mix of the usual European, Brasilian and Dominican riders is a new nationality - the young Filipino Christian Tio who will make a strong impression today by reaching the finals in the Boys U19 category.

South America is well represented with two Columbians climbing up the ladders as well. Their first Youth World Championship is a very special adventure, especially given that they spent the first night outside in the rain, but they are well organized with accommodation in the meantime.

Brazil is represented strong with the whole team of 'Project Vivo', an NGO led by Isabel Lupianez, with the goal of opening new horizons for young Brazilians through kiteboarding.

But Brazil would be nothing with its ambassador Mikaili Sol, domination the Girls U16 competition despite her young age of 12 years already since years. We are reminded of the early years of multiple World Champion Gisela Pulido and there will be more to see from her on the pro tour in the future.

Competition went underway at 8am sharp, and a total of 55 consecutive heats were run by the experienced judging team around IKA Technical Director Markus Schwendtner and Head Judge Aymeric Martin before the wind drastically dropped at around 18:30 bringing the competition to a hold.

Five out of six categories have been completed leaving only the U16 Girls competition unfinished after the first round, with another 60 minutes required to reach the final.

With all eyes set for a suitable seabreeze on the weekend, the attention now turns over to the boardercross discipline, with around 60 riders registered. Riders will compete for the french title, altough the competition is open to competitors from all countries, with Spain and Italy having sent strong teams supported by their sailing federations in preparation of the 2017 TT:R European Championships in Gizzeria later this summer.

Competition continues through to Sunday, when the winners of all categories will be announced.