Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde - Day 2

by Ian MacKinnon, GKA Kite World Tour 19 Mar 2023 08:16 PDT 17-27 March 2023
GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde - Day 2 © Lukas K Stiller

Reigning world champion James Carew was dumped from the GKA Kite-Surf World Cup on the second day of the contest on Cape Verde in epic waves.

The Australian, who had been hoping to land a third successive title, lost the final round of the day by only a fraction of a point to Cape Verde-based legend, Airton Cozzolino.

The victory of Cozzolino, an Italian who calls the island home, drew wild cheering from the delighted crowds on the beach. But the celebrations were muted as the judges reviewed their scores because the heat had been so tight.

Both riders, who have been training together, embraced as they came ashore. It was a sign of their mutual respect after a truly spectacular, 18-minute clash on epic Ponta Preta swells in the sinking sun.

The tense drama, with the pair separated only by 0.13 of a point in the end, was worthy of a final. Yet, Cozzolino only has the privilege of advancing to the competition's quarter finals where other Cape Verdean locals lie in wait.

Other champions who train on the Ponta Preta break—Matchu Lopes and 2019 winner, Mitu Monteiro—had battled their way through the elimination heats in series of mouth-watering duels that drove scores ever-higher.

Day two of the world cup in Ponta Preta saw the women released for the day so that the race director could focus on the men, with the competition running until almost dark. The swell built to almost two metres, with the right-hand bombs landing on the reef metres from the beach.

The elimination heats had been studded with standout performances and hard-fought battles. Earlier in the day Cozzolino had narrowly survived against the stylish backside French rider, Clement Roseyro.

The Italian just took the win with a "buzzer beater", scoring a wave right at the death that trumped Roseyro after he had led for the whole heat with big hacks and powered rail-to-rail turns.

"It was the best heat of my life, for sure," said Roseyro. "Against Airton Cozzolino I almost made it. The turns were super-good. I hope one day they're going to love 'backside' here."

Cozzolino knew he had survived a tough battle. "Everyone 'wants it' when they come up against me," he said. "They want to kill me. They want to be their best selves."

Brazil's Pedro Matos sent local favourite Hendrick Lopes home. Both riders threw down great performances. Matos' score of 9.27 for one wave, one of the highest of the day, was enough to give him the edge. Lopes, battling before his fans, was in tears.

Another local hero, Matchu Lopes, had to pull out all the stops to beat Charly Martin, the young Reunion Islander who traded blows with the Spaniard. But a stunning 9.0 wave by Lopes was enough to end Martin's dreams.

In front of home fans crowding the beach Cape Verde's Mitu Monteiro launched his own assault. Two incredible wave scores took his heat total to 18.04. It was enough to end the run of his friend and countryman, Titik Lopes.

"It was so nice to be out there with Titik Lopes," said Montiero. "I was just having so much fun. He's such a good friend of mine. Everyone here supports me. It's a bit of pressure, but I just do my best."

Brazil's Sebastian Ribeiro was ruthless in his heat against Yaris Dellomo (ITA). Two wave scores that took him to 16.80, put the Italian out of the competition.

The competition is set to move to the quarter finals stage for the men and women on Sunday, with hope of completing both finals. Stay tuned for all the action.

Related Articles

Zhik expands Danish Sailing Team partnership
Continuing for another four years as Official Technical Apparel Supplier Zhik, global leader in high-performance water wear, is proud to announce its partnership with the Danish Sailing Team will continue for another four years, as Official Technical Apparel Supplier through to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Posted on 6 May
2025 Formula Kite Europeans preview
A critical moment in the evolution of the sport at Urla, Türkiye The 2025 Formula Kite European Championships are set to bring high-stakes competition and fresh challenges as the world's top riders take to the waters of Urla, Türkiye. Posted on 3 May
Australia's next wave at French Olympic Week
Morris faced light and patchy breeze in the must-win medal showdown French Olympic Week in Hyères delivered everything from the roaring mistral winds that pushed physical limits to the patience-testing light airs that demanded calm and clarity. Posted on 27 Apr
Sail Canada at 2025 French Olympic Week overall
Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance win bronze medal at Sailing Grand Slam Series event Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance from Chester, N.S., won the bronze medal in 49erFX at the second event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, French Olympic Week, which was held April 21-26 in Hyères, FRA. Posted on 27 Apr
56th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères overall
USA skiffs gold and silver as Italy and China top medal table The final day of the 56th edition of French Olympic Week saw Italy join China at the top of the medal table as they won a medal of every colour across the six Medal Races after China's exploits on Friday. Posted on 26 Apr
Sail Canada at 2025 French Olympic Week Day 5
Two Canadian boats will take part in Saturday's Medal Races Here are the highlights of Sail Canada's National Team on DAY 5 of the 2025 French Olympic Week held April 21-26 in Hyères, FRA, the second event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series. Posted on 25 Apr
56th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères day 5
Israel deny China triple gold On a day of high pressure - in all senses - and drama in all the Medal series, team power and individual brilliance produced some of the closest board Finals in Hyères history. Posted on 25 Apr
Sail Canada at 2025 French Olympic Week Day 4
Antonia & Georgia Lewin-LaFrance finished 1st and 4th in the 49erFX The highlights of Sail Canada's National Team on day 4 of the 2025 French Olympic Week held April 21-26 in Hyères, FRA, the second event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series. Posted on 24 Apr
56th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères day 4
Kiteboarders and windsurfers go for Friday gold as shifts play havoc with process On a day in which fortunes shifted as much as the winds, French Olympic Week will have its first Medal Races on Friday as the top 8 men and women kitesurfers and windsurfers battle it out for the podium. Posted on 24 Apr
Sail Canada at 2025 French Olympic Week Day 3
Clara Gravely is currently ranked 7th overall in the ILCA 6 class The highlights of Sail Canada's National Team on DAY 3 of the 2025 French Olympic Week held April 21-26 in Hyères, FRA, the second event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series. Posted on 23 Apr
Selden 2020 - FOOTERPalm Beach Motor YachtsNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast