Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup Brazil - Charles Brodel stays on top for another year
by Liam Dredge / Ian MacKinnon 16 Nov 04:36 PST
8-11 November, 2023
It was all over in one day here in Brazil for the Copa Kitley GKA Hydrofoil-Freestyle Kite World Cup. With 12 riders registered for the competition and a World Title on the line, Charles Brodel (FRA) once again showed his dominance in this discipline with an outstanding display being far too much for the others to compete with.
Brodel's performance all day was faultless. In the driver's seat from start to finish the French rider didn't lose a single heat and in the final, it was no different. As Cauipe delivered conditions all day Charles was enjoying his time on the water while retaining his World Championship title.
"It was tricky in these conditions, it was choppy, and wavy and the wind was light. I managed to land all my tricks and I feel great, I'm super happy"
Winner takes all
In his lead-up to the final, Brodel defeated Maxime-Luan Desjardins (FRA) whilst Alex Soto (DOM) battled it out also against fellow countryman Joselito Del Rosario (DOM) in a Dominican showdown. Both heats were packed with goodness with Alex Soto's highlight being a 7.6 Contra Loop Back Roll, whilst Charles Brodel scored a big 8.00 for a Kiteloop Front Roll Board off.
During the final Charles displayed style with ease, as with the high tide the conditions made it challenging for all riders to comfortably land their tricks. Brodel opened up his account with a Kiteloop Front Roll while Soto went for a Kiteloop Board Off.
Soto then went in first with a nicely executed Contraloop Front Roll scoring a 5.25, but the world champion instincts in Brodel answered back with a big Kiteloop Board off which hit home a 6.30. After a couple of crashes from both riders and a kite change from Charles, it all came down to the final tricks.
Alex Soto went for Innovation scoring the highest trick of the heat with a 6.63. The pressure was on Charles Brodel to deliver and he did with a 6.57 Front Roll Board Off.
An exciting final from start to finish which had it all. The crowd on the beach were witnessing a thrilling final but in the end, the man of the moment within this division continues to be Charles Brodel.
Battle for third
Battling for the bronze medal were Joselito Del Rosario and Maxime-Luan Desjardins. Maxime made a big call, changing from his LEI kite to a foil kite. Making it difficult to loop it forced some more variety from the Frenchman as the wind started to drop.
Joselito showed innovation with his first trick scoring a 5.83. Maxime tried answering back with a back roll board off but scored 4.10. Unfortunately for Maxime, no trick was enough to match Joselito who was throwing down kite and contra loops. In the end, after 7 tricks each, it was the Dominican who would go home positioning himself third in the world.
Early round exits
With no rider getting eliminated until Round 4, it still meant essentially if you lost beforehand you were given a second chance. With this ladder, it allowed all riders to push again and still have the possibility of going further despite maybe having a bad start. We saw the likes of Remy Krysztofiak (FRA), local Luiz Cordeiro (BRA), Antonin Rangin (FRA), and Hunter Becker (USA) all exit the competition in Rounds 4 and 5.
Finn Flugel (GER) who just a few short days ago managed to have his best-ever result in Twntip Freestyle also had a solid day on the water. Taking out Baptiste Bourdoulous (GRE) in Round Four he found himself up against Charles Brodel, however, with the incoming high tide and heavy shore break, the up-and-coming talent couldn't quite put the pieces of the puzzle together and get out into the competition area, handing his opponent the win.
Katerina Salandova (CZE) was the only female who chose to compete amongst the men and did not shy away from taking the bull by the horns. Coming from a racing background, although she struggled to advance any further than Round 4 she put on a great performance competing with the world's best in freestyle keeping the flag flying high for Women's Hydrofoil-Freestyle.
More to follow
For another year in a row, Charles Brodel will be taking that World Championship back to his hometown in France after a showstopping performance, but, the action is not over yet. Tomorrow the GKA Kite-Surf discipline gets under way as we continue our Brazilian marathon of events in Cauipe. With registration also completed for the Kite-Surf athletes this morning, we'll be getting straight into the heat's early doors with a hopeful 3 days of action-packed riding as there is plenty on the line with World Champions to crown.
Copa Kitley GKA Hydrofoil-Freestyle Kite World Cup Brazil 2023 results
Men
1. Charles Brodel (FRA)
2. Alex Soto (DOM)
3. Joselito Del Rosario (DOM)
4. Maxime-Luan Desjardins (FRA)