Please select your home edition
Edition
McDYachts_Pyewacket-for-Sale_1456x180 TOP

GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Morocco 2021 - Overall

by Gemma Hamaini 31 Oct 2021 03:43 PDT 27-31 October 2021
GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Morocco 2021, day 4 © Svetlana Romantsova

Dakhla surprised us all for Day 4, providing great conditions from the start. The wind was steady, the waves were gradually increasing, and the riders were stoked to be able to head out on the water and get the competition rolling.

We completed all of the Men's Quarter and Semi-Finals, Women's Quarter-Finals, and even crowned two new World Champions.

We stormed our way through Men's Round 5. After a long week, the objective to finish the competition and achieve a result was everyone's main focus.

All eyes were on the water for Heat 30, the moment everyone has been waiting for - James Carew vs Charly Martin. This was the make or break moment for James, as winning this heat would automatically make him 2021 World Champion. Charly put up a good fight, and scored 9.80 points, but James was absolutely on fire, and was loving every moment of this heat. He gained an overall score of 15.13 points, and cruised towards the shore ready for his moment of glory. James Carew claimed his first World Title, and can now switch his focus to winning this event here in Dakhla.

"I don't know if I believe it yet," said James "Guys, if you're watching at home, thank you for everything. I wouldn't be here without a lot of you. I'm feeling emotional but a few more heats to go in this contest. I'm here to win, I'm not just thinking about the World Title, but it's a dream come true."

The Foum Labouir conditions kept firing throughout the afternoon. We gradually moved through Men's Round 6, maintaining the 20 minute heats, with the riders going head to head for a spot in the Semi-Finals.

Sebastien Ribeiro continued with his fine form at this event, knocking out Italian rider Francesco Capuzzo. The Brazilian power continued as Pedro Matos stormed through and eliminated Nicola Abadjiev. The live-stream was on fire as Reece Myserscough battled it out in an incredibly close heat against Airton Cozzolino. Airton just managed to dial in to what the judges were really looking for, and his speed, power and style just gave him the edge over Reece, and he locked down his spot in the Semi-Finals.

The last heat of Men's Round 6 saw our new World Champion James Carew continue on his amazing performance, and he advanced to the Semi-Finals over Anderson Reboucas.

The Men's Semi-Finals were intense heats, with the riders focused on every second of competition, and seizing every opportunity that came their way. Wave selection was the key element that allowed an athlete to advance over their competitor. Pedro Matos vs Sebastian Ribeiro was a Brazilian showdown, where we watched as Matos, renowned for his confident riding, showed no mercy and knocked his fellow Brazilian out of the competition.

James Carew vs Airton Cozzolino was yet another fierce heat, and possibly the most epic moment of the day, as both riders remained close in points throughout. It came down to the last moments, but it was Airton who went all in and knocked our new World Champion out of competition. Tomorrow he will face Pedro Matos in our Dakhla finals.

"That was so much fun," said Airton. "Seriously, one of the best heats I've had. I'm stoked for James to be World Champion now, but I'm here to win this event. It's firing."

Women's Rounds 4 and 5

Charlotte Carpentier and Carla Herrera had been waiting several days to be able to complete Heat 11, and today the moment finally arrived. It was extremely close throughout, but Charlotte ended up knocking Carla out of the competition in a very close heat, securing her spot in Round 5.

As the wind continued, so did Women's Round 5. Here we saw Catharina Edin, Marcella Witt and Capucine Delannoy all advance to the Semi-Finals. For Heat 15, all focus was on Peri Roberts vs Charlotte Carpentier. The conditions were perfect for this essential heat, and Peri put her heart and soul into each wave. Her perseverance paid off and she rode her last wave all the way into shore to claim her new title of World Champion. What a day for our two Aussie competitors, both taking home their World Championship titles.

At 7.30pm the competition concluded for the day, as the sun set over the spot, ending an incredible 8 hour run of competition. Tomorrow is the last day of competition here in Dakhla, and the first possible start has been called for 10 am.

More details here...

Related Articles

Fortaleza World Sailing Championships announced
Test event in January 2026, and the real thing in January 2027 World Sailing has confirmed the dates for Fortaleza 2027 World Sailing Championships as 22-30 January 2027, with a Test Event being held one year prior. Posted today at 6:40 am
IKA 2025 Masters Worlds at Bilge Ozturk Kite Club
Jonson rides the Black Sea waves to victory Danish kiteboarder James Jonson was crowned Champion at the IKA 2025 Masters World Championship, held at the Bilge Ozturk Kite Club on the shores of the Black Sea, as wild waves brought an early end to the final day of competition. Posted on 14 Sep
British Kitesurfer Jake Scrace Breaks World Record
Reaching 1,587 feet in a kitesurf tow-up above the iconic Needles, Isle of Wight Jake Scrace, a British kitesurfer and thrill-seeker known for daring stunts including kite-surfing over Worthing Pier, has set a new Guinness World Record by reaching 1,587 feet in a kitesurf tow-up above the iconic Needles, Isle of Wight. Posted on 12 Sep
GKA Youth Kite Worlds Tarifa concludes
The world's most promising young riders in both Kite-Surf and Freestyle disciplines Tarifa once again proved to be the perfect stage for the 2025 GKA Youth Kite World Championships, uniting the world's most promising young riders in both Kite-Surf and Freestyle disciplines. Posted on 5 Sep
Freestyle Youth Worlds set for take-off in Spain
Youth world championship titles to be awarded Twin-tip Youth world championship titles to be awarded Twin-tip and Surfboard Freestyle in kite mecca of Tarifa. Posted on 1 Sep
GKA Kite-Surf Big Air World Cup winners crowned
Delannoy and Demanez win Kite-Surf discipline in Sylt Day five of the GKA Kite World Cup Sylt began before sunrise, with riders called to a 6 a.m. briefing in an effort to make the most of the wind and push through the Kite-Surf competition. Posted on 31 Aug
Hydrofoil Big Air winners crowned in Sylt
An action-packed final day of competition The 2025 GKA Kite World Cup Sylt got under way in spectacular fashion, with the opening discipline of Hydrofoil Big Air setting the tone for the week. Posted on 30 Aug
GKA Kite World Tour heads to Sylt
For a Kite-Surf and Hydrofoil Big Air World Cup Sylt will host the opening round of the Hydrofoil-Big Air world title fight while the Kite-Surf action is back after a five-month break. Posted on 25 Aug
North unveils the 2026 Big Air Collection
North Kiteboarding invites riders to rediscover what Big Air really feels like. This August, North Kiteboarding invites riders to rediscover what Big Air really feels like, with the launch of its 2026 Big Air Collection - featuring the completely re-engineered Orbit kite and three fresh TwinTips: Atmos Pro, Atmos, and Astra. Posted on 19 Aug
Canadian sailor James Huynh wins bronze
At Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games James Huynh from Brossard, QC, won a bronze medal at the Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games, finishing third in the men's Formula Kite event which ended on Sunday as part of the sailing competition. Posted on 18 Aug
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastSelden 2020 - FOOTERPredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 BOTTOM