Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup Brazil - Day 2

by Liam Dredge / Ian MacKinnon 11 Nov 2023 02:09 AEDT 8-11 November, 2023
Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup Brazil - Day 2 © Svetlana Romantsova

Anticipation levels were sky-high as the heavy hitters took to the playing field at the Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup Brazil, being fought out in near-perfect conditions on Cauipe's storied lagoon.

The leaders in the Freestyle discipline on the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour, Brazil's Carlos Mario and Bruna Kajiya, kept their dreams of adding another world title to their trophy haul alive when they advanced up the ladder.

Battling on home waters, the Brazilian pair who have seven Freestyle world titles between them, gave the vocal crowds lining the lagoon much to cheer about as they booked places in the quarter-finals and semi-finals with big performances.

Day two of the world cup in Cauipe, the fourth and penultimate stop of the Freestyle tour which closes out next month in Fuwairit, Qatar, saw all the main title contenders among the 28 men and 14 women competitors take to the water.

Early Brazilian dominance

After patiently waiting out the opening day, Guilherme Costa (BRA) and his compatriot Carlos Mario both hit home runs to open their accounts. The Brazilian duo displayed buckets of style with ease, sending home fans wild.

Local knowledge proved to be key and both went straight to the quarter-finals. Mario racked up a heat total of 30.23, out of a possible 40 for his four counting tricks.

As the day wore on breeze became a little more flukey, compared to the prime 10/10 conditions of the morning. For the men, this made it more challenging to stay powered for their tricks.

The race director gave the athletes more latitude on timing in order to complete their tricks in the changeable conditions. But it was still possible to decide all the men's quarter-final spots.

One of the youngest riders in the competition, 14-year-old Finn Flügel (GER), secured his quarter-final berth, showing the 'old guard' he meant business. In Round 4 he earned one of the day's highest totals—31.98—that included a 7.53, out of 10, for a Pete Rose 7.

"It was just amazing; probably the best heat of my life, " said Flügel. "I did all my tricks and I'm just super-stoked about this spot. It was all-in-all amazing. The level of riding here is just amazing. It's the mecca of Freestyle. Everybody does their best tricks here and it's hard to advance."

León looking strong

Another former world champion, France's Arthur Guillebert, went one better when he dug himself out a hole in Round 4 as he faced elimination. His 32.13 was the day's biggest heat score, which included a 9.07 for a KGB7.

On the women's side Bruna Kajiya made her way to the semi-finals after narrowly snatching victory in her Round 3 clash against Francesca Bagnoli (ITA) and Leticia Ferreira (BRA). Kajiya progressed with a score of 25.93, which included a textbook S-Mobe 5 in the spot where she revels in competition.

"For me it's like an absolute pleasure," said Kajiya. "When I found out we were competing in Cauipe I was absolutely jumping and screaming. For me... this is my second home and I think Cauipe deserves it. If you think of Brazilian Freestyle, this is where it all began. I just get goose bumps."

Bagnoli just missed out in her battle against Kajiya by half a point, with her 25.45 heat total. That left the Italian with work to do in the quarter-finals, but she got the job done took a place in the semi-finals.

Standout heat from the women went to Claudia León (ESP). Firing on all cylinders, she earned a whopping 30.69 heat total, which included two 8-point scores. León looked sharp from start to finish, throwing down powerful manoeuvres with a low kite angle that the judges loved.

Big upset

The Spanish athlete, ranked second overall, joins Karolina Winkowska (POL) in the semi-finals. Former world champion, Winkowska, returning to the tour at the age of 33 after giving birth, caused one of the upsets of the day when she just outpointed Mikaili Sol (USA).

"This year I'm competing here with the best little cheerleader," said Winkowska, holding her daughter in her arms. "I'm so happy this is possible. I'm feeling strong and I'm feeling great on the water. Having her here is so great, so she can see me following my dreams and hopefully in future she'll get to follow her dreams."

The current world champion, Sol, had to fight for survival in Round 4. But the American made no mistake the second time, winning the heat convincingly with a line-up of tricks that included 8.0 for a stomped Heart Attack.

In the setting sun Sol, currently third in the world rankings, booked her place in the semi-finals, with Sweden's Nathalie Lambrecht taking the last slot. Therese Taabbel (DEN) had already moved straight to the semi-finals.

With the women's semi-final places decided and the men's quarter-finals action to come, Cauipe lagoon has plenty in store for day three.

Related Articles

2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria overall
Once again, Gizzeria delivered near-perfect racing conditions Once again, Gizzeria delivered near-perfect racing conditions, with a steady thermal breeze sweeping in from the Tyrrhenian Sea across the Calabrian coast. Posted on 7 Jul
Red Bull Sailing Academy Opens
A new hub for current and future superstars to reach the top of their sport Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking the beginning of a new era in the sport. Posted on 6 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 4
It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast, and Gizzeria has put on a great show as host of the 2025 IKA Youth European Championships. Posted on 5 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 3
The invincibles stumble during qualifying The men's competition has moved into its decisive phase, with the top 22 riders now forming a gold fleet. After Saturday's racing, only the top ten will qualify for the medal series and today, the pressure began to show, even on the frontrunners. Posted on 4 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 2
Thrills and spills - with the speed came plenty of racing incidents Day 2 of the Youth European Championships in Gizzeria saw fantastic conditions that gave the racing added pace. With the speed came plenty of racing incidents. Posted on 3 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 1
Rising stars shine at Youth Kitefoil Euros kickoff Some of the world's best young kite foilers started racing today in southern Italy aiming to become Youth European champions. Posted on 2 Jul
World Sailing announces split venues for LA28
The boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port World Sailing has said it welcomes the confirmation of sailing venues for the Olympic Games LA28 the boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port. Posted on 30 Jun
Sail Canada introduces Canadian Sailing Team
21 athletes were selected based on the Canadian Sailing Team Sport Canada Carding Criteria Sail Canada is pleased to announce the list of sailors who will be part of the 2025-2026 Canadian Sailing Team. Posted on 26 Jun
2025 IKA Youth Europeans Oreview
Italy set to host the future of kitefoiling in Gizzeria, Calabria The Hang Loose Beach Club in Gizzeria, Calabria is once again poised to welcome kitefoiling's rising stars as the IKA Youth European Championships return to southern Italy. Posted on 25 Jun
Registration now open for GKA Youth events
Germany and Spain events will have U14, U16 and U19 divisions Registration is now open for the two upcoming GKA Youth events of the 2025 season. First up is the GKA Youth Big Air Kite World Championship in St. Peter Ording, Germany. Posted on 9 Jun
Excess CatamaransBarton Marine Pipe GlandsCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER