Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe 2024 - Freestyle title race set to heat up in Brazil
by Ian MacKinnon 12 Nov 2024 21:34 AEDT
12-15 November 2024
Valentin Rodriguez - Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe © Svetlana Romantsova
The second event of the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour's freestyle season is set to shift up a gear when the second stop kicks off in the perfect conditions of Cauipe, in north-eastern Brazil.
The Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe will be fought out in the flat waters and punchy winds of the lagoon, which provides a stadium-like setting that affords a buzzing atmosphere for the contests.
Number one seed, Switzerland's Maxime Chabloz, is in a strong position heading to Brazil after taking the runner-up spot in Dunkerque, France, at the season-opener.
Former world champion, France's Arthur Guillebert, won the first event of the year on home waters in dramatic style, when he took the final with his last trick of the heat.
Recovering from injury
But reigning world champion, Brazil's Carlos Mario, who regards Cauipe as his home spot, is not slated to compete in the upcoming stop. He is still recovering from an injury he sustained in the Dunkerque semi-final.
Germany's Finn Flügel, 15, and Matteo Dorotini, of Italy, were third and fourth in the final in France, and are also set to try to build title momentum in Cauipe.
But the threat of former Freestyle world champion, Italy's Gianmaria Coccoluto, who landed his first title in the lagoon of Taíba two seasons ago with some near-perfect performances, can never be ruled out.
Karim Mahmoud (EGY), who has just competed in the GKA Big Air world cup in Jericoacoara, and the French pair of Val Garat and Louka Pitot, have all shown they can challenge the big guns.
Extend her lead
In the women's field, Brazil's Bruna Kajiya, the reigning and four-times world champion, will be looking to extend her lead on home waters in Cauipe. She won the first stop in Dunkerque in August.
Spain's Rita Arnaus stormed back to competition in France after being out with a knee injury for almost 18 months. She took the runner-up spot and has been training hard in Brazil ahead of Cauipe.
The newcomer, Denmark's Kaya Lehmann, made her mark when she finished third in Dunkeque, just ahead of Italy's Francesca Bagnoli, who is always dangerous. Join us for all the action.