Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2023 Gloves - LEADERBOARD

Copa Kitley GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cauipe - Overall

by Liam Dredge 18 Nov 07:59 PST 14-18 November, 2023

Coming into Day three, we knew the event and the world champions would be crowned. With so much at stake for numerous competitors, the final day of the Qatar Airways GKA Kite-Surf 2023 calendar was set to provide drama, tension, and excitement for both riders and fans beachside but also, around the globe.

For the past two days, we've seen top riders struggle with conditions and turn it around when it's mattered most. It hasn't been an easy spot for everyone to find their groove, however, day three from the early hours looked promising with wind and waves.

The riders, crew, and spectators were more fired up than ever to witness greatness on this final day of competition.

Champions crowned

Both Airton Cozzolino (ITA) and Moona Whyte (USA) will cast their names once again on the World Championship by concreating their victories in the semi-finals. With Matchu Lopes (ESP) missing out on a final spot after losing to Gabriel Benneton (BRA), all Airton had to do was beat his teammate and also World Title contender, Pedro Matos (BRA) in his semi-final.

Although Matos just edged it in the waves, Cozzolino threw down the hammer with a huge 8.60 Shifty Front Side 3 which was enough to cross the line and take the World Title. The Italian, coming out of Cabo Verde, had his game face on all day and had work to do, because, Pedro's waves scored both a 7.33 and 6.20, whereas Airton had a 6.20 and 6.40. The big 8.60 for that freestyle maneuver was essential in snapping up the title.

Airton then went on to battle Gabriel Benneton (BRA) in the overall event final. Benneton, a rider that thrives in this format beat Sebastien Ribiero (BRA) in the quarters nailing two freestyle tricks. Experienced surfer Riberio, had the better waves but Benneton dominated in the freestyle with a 7.47 for a double front roll which was enough to then go on and also beat Matchu Lopes.

Airton does the double

Coming straight off his World Championship crown, Airton Cozzolino faced a tough battle against first-time finalist, Gabriel Benneton. The two riders were going blow for blow as the seesaw was swinging from one to the other. Airton opened up with a 5.70 wave with Gabriel answering back a 5.40. Following this Airton caught another good set and managed to have two wave scores counting, with the second a 6.57.

Benneton had other ideas. A 9.07 Double Front Shove it got the crowd screaming. From this, he now led the final and put pressure on the Italian. Airton's competition experience then kicked as he obliterated a monster Shifty Frontside 3 which scored a near-perfect 9.50. Gabriel's second score, a 6.60 Double Frontroll, was not enough to push back into the lead and as time ticked, the buzzer sounded giving Airton yet another win on what will be a memorable day for the champ.

Moona hits a home run

Moona Whyte once again showed why she's a multiple World Champion. After a break from competition, 2023 saw her return to the tour with a bang. She needed a third-place finish or better to take the crown from the defending World Champ, Capucine Delannoy (FRA).

"I'm so happy, I can't believe what just happened. It's so hard out there but I'm so happy to make it through. I felt like I wasn't doing very well but I found the best of what was out there"

In Moona's way, none other than Camille Losserand (CHE) however, Whyte's experience in the waves shined bright. She connected two glorious waves which both scored above the 7.00 leaving Losserand scrambling as she couldn't quite find rhythm during her semi-final.

Camille then had to fight for third against Kesiane Rodriguez (BRA), who couldn't keep up with Capucine Delannoy in their semi-final. Delannoy was on fire during that heat, scoring a 6.90 wave and a massive 8.83 for a Double Frontroll. Delannoy was then able to line up a vengeance with Moona Whyte later in the final but, Kesiane bounced back. Finishing in third she only just edged the mini-final win against Camille by 0.87 of a point.

Capucine turns the table

After losing to Moona in all her previous finals this year, Capucine was finally able to burn that bridge. Knowing the World Title was no longer hers she threw down her best heat of the competition beating Moona in the final to end her year on a high.

Once again, Moona scored better in the waves but Capucine's freestyle skills prevailed. This included the best individual score of the competition, a 9.00 for a perfect Double Frontroll. A move that Delannoy has done time and time again, however when it mattered most the best came out.

The young French rider put the disappointment behind her as she knew that when it came to the World Championship, it was all out of her hands however now, ends her 2023 year with her second event win this year.

Copa Kitley GKA Kit-Surf World Cup Brazil 2023 results

Men

    1. Airton Cozzolino (ITA)
    2. Gabriel Benneton (BRA)
    3. Matchu Lopes (ESP)
    4. Pedro Matos (BRA)

Women

    1. Capucine Delannoy (FRA)
    2. Moona Whyte (USA)
    3. Kesiane Rodriguez (BRA)
    4. Camille Losserand (CHE)

Qatar Airways GKA Kite-Surf World Tour World Champion results

Men

    1. Airton Cozzolino (ITA)
    2. Matchu Lopes (ESP)
    3. Pedro Matos (BRA)

Women

    1. Moona Whyte (USA)
    2. Capucine Delannoy (FRA)
    3. Camille Losserand (CHE)

2024 is around the corner

After 5 events throughout the 2023 year, we finish with Airton Cozzolino (ITA) and Moona Whyte (USA) as our World Champions. With the tour starting in Cape Verde, our riders then competed over in Rio, Sylt, and Dakhla and now have finished in the warm waters of Brazil.

We've had everything this year and with it all coming down to the final event we now can't wait to see what the 2024 Calendar has in store for us. To check out next year's locations visit here, and start getting excited for the best of the best to once again battle it out across the world.

Related Articles

Gran Canaria Air Battle overall
Local rider Ancor Sosa conqueres disciplines of Wingfoil Surf-Freestyle & Freefly-Slalom The conditions were perfect in the morning hours at the beach of Las Burras in Gran Canaria (about 20 knots from the northeast), allowing riders to perform breathtaking maneuvers in the wingfoil disciplines of the Global Wingsports Association (GWA). Posted today at 7:59 pm
Stage set at 2023 Youth Sailing Worlds
The event begins tomorrow in Armação dos Buzios, Brazil The stage is officially set for the 2023 Youth Sailing World Championships in Armação dos Buzios, Brazil. Racing for the the 52nd edition of the event begins tomorrow with the world's best young sailors battling for gold. Posted today at 2:45 pm
Caribbean Foiling Championships day 2
High stakes and fierce winds On December 9th, the second race day of the event unfolded amidst challenging conditions. Posted today at 12:30 am
Gran Canaria Air Battle Day 2
Noah Nicolas and Zoe Sosa: The Aerial Kings The beach of Las Burras in Gran Canaria has witnessed the high-flying finals of the Big Air category, especially with the spectacle of Tarifa's Noah Nicolas and the Canarian Zoe Sosa, who have been proclaimed the aerial kings. Posted on 9 Dec
Caribbean Foiling Championships day 1
A thrilling first race day of competition December 8 marks the exhilarating kick-off of the first race day. The weather conditions, a strong 17 knots, provided an ideal backdrop for the foilers to showcase their skills and navigate the challenging an fun course. Posted on 9 Dec
Caribbean Foiling Championships kick off in style
43 registered riders make it the largest foiling event in the Caribbean Orient Bay came alive on Thursday, December 7, as the registration day marked the commencement of the highly anticipated 2023 Caribbean Foiling Championships. This edition follows a windless hiatus in 2022, making the return even more thrilling. Posted on 8 Dec
Gran Canaria Air Battle Day 1
Ancor Sosa (ESP) dominates GWA wingfoil classes Fuerteventura's Ancor Sosa stole the show on the first day of the Gran Canaria Air Battle, Spain's premier kitesurf and wingfoil festival, held at Las Burras Beach from December 6 to 10. Posted on 8 Dec
15 USA athletes in Brazil for Youth Worlds
In classes that prepare youth for transitions to full size Olympic equipment One of the final regattas of the year to watch takes us to Búzios, Brazil for the Youth Sailing World Championship where 15 athletes will hit the water to represent the USA in classes that prepare youth for transitions to full size Olympic equipment. Posted on 7 Dec
Brazil beckons for British Youth Sailing talents
Fifteen of the nation's top young sailors are heading to the Youth Worlds Fifteen of the nation's top young sailing talents are preparing to fly the flag for Great Britain at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Búzios, Brazil (8-15 December 2023). Posted on 7 Dec
Youth Sailing Worlds sustainability initiatives
A positive long-term impact on the environment at the 2023 event in Brazil World Sailing has joined forces with the Brazilian sailing federation, CBVela, to implement sustainability initiatives in Brazil which will put the 2023 Youth Sailing World Championships on course to be a carbon neutral event. Posted on 7 Dec
C-Tech 2021 (Spars-QFX Racer) 728x90 BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - Equilibrium 728x90px BOTTOMDoyle Sails 2020 - Redefining Boundaries 728x90 BOTTOM