Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Champions crowned at season finale in Qatar

by Ian MacKinnon 14 Dec 2024 06:24 PST 10-14 December 2024

Switzerland's Maxime Chabloz landed his first Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle Kite world championship crown at the third and final stop of the season at Qatar's Fuwairit Kite Beach when he finished just ahead of his closest title rival.

Chabloz rescued a final that was starting to slip from his grasp when he landed a massive Backmobe 7. Chabloz's move helped him to second place and the title, just behind 15-year-old Finn Flügel, who took his first world cup win.

"I'm world champion, that's all I can think of right now," said Chabloz. "It's something I've been dreaming about since I discovered kiting. I think I was seven-years' old and I wanted to be the best kiter in the world. It was my biggest dream in life, and it finally happened. It's been such a journey. But the longer the journey, the more sweet the victory."

Brazil's Bruna Kajiya took a convincing win at the Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Final Qatar to give her three event wins from three for the season, earning her a fifth world title.

"It feels amazing," said Kajiya. "It's a dream. A couple of years ago I said to a friend 'I feel I could get to five world titles. I feel it in my heart'. To see it coming true, I'm so happy and I'm so motivated to keep going for more because this is the best thing ever."

Order of business

The opening day of the world cup final in Qatar, home of the tour's title sponsors, saw the action begin early with the organisers fearing an unpromising wind forecast for the coming days might hamper the schedule.

The first order of business was the opening women's semi-final. It immediately heralded an upset when world number three, Italy's Francesca Bagnoli, found herself out of the competition, ending any hope of an overall podium finish for the year.

Spain's Claudia León, returning after a year-long injury break, came out fast with a big 6.17 from a possible 10 for a Heart Attack. She advanced to the final, but was just overhauled by her compatriot, Rita Arnaus, who progressed in top spot.

The second semi-final saw Germany's Kaya Lehmann up against Bruna Kajiya. Lehmann did enough to advance to her third successive final this season, but she was no match for the Brazilian.

The decider pitted León against Lehmann, Arnaus and Kajiya. In about 15 knots of breeze blowing over Fuwairit's crystal clear lagoon, the women were on their 11m to 13m kites.

A class apart

Lehmann landed a good Double S-bend to Blind late in the heat, but was a little adrift and finished fourth behind León, who also struggled to put a convincing heat together.

Arnaus fared better with a decent heat that gave her the second podium spot in Qatar, and second overall for the season after she, too, had comeback from an 18-month injury break in the summer.

But Kajiya was once again a class apart. In the final a 7.6 for a Combo stretched her lead, while a 6.77 for a Front Blind Mobe at the close sealed the deal and the title in style.

The first men's semi-final saw France's Valentin Garat and Australia's Leo Verrecchia come off worst to end their runs in the competition. France's Arthur Guillebert, ranked number two, was looking as powered as ever and progressed just behind Finn Flügel.

The second semi-final was a cliff-hanger. Italy's Matteo Dorotini put down some big moves, including a 7.2 for a KGB5, but could not live with Maxime Chabloz and Egypt's Karim Mahmoud.

Touch and go

For a time it appeared Mahmoud would win the heat and it was touch and go if Chabloz would make it to the final, dashing the title dreams of the tour leader. But with his final trick he landed a Backmobe 7 for 9.33 that saw him cruise through.

The final with Guillebert, Mahmoud, Flügel and Chabloz was a slightly spotty affair in the fading breeze. Mahmoud's earlier form deserted him and he finished fourth behind Guillebert, whose hope of another world title came to nothing.

Even Chabloz seemed to struggle for consistency until he pulled out another 9.43 Backmobe 7 that launched him into second place. He had begun the day on equal points with Guillebert, but ahead on the tie-break rule, so his second place in Qatar gave him the title.

Flügel's run of third place podium finishes was finally banished when he got the win, with a series strong tricks early on doing most of the damage. An 8.33 for a big Combo built his heat and gave him the the day's highest heat total.

"It's the craziest thing ever to win an event," said Flügel. "It's just insane. I couldn't be prouder to stand here with the win in my pocket. I landed my first three tricks and I just felt on fire. I went for another one and took the win. It's the best feeling ever."

Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup 2024 results

Men

    1. Finn Flügel (GER)
    2. Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
    3. Arthur Guillebert (FRA)
    4. Karim Mahmoud (EGY)

Women

    1. Bruna Kajiya (BRA)
    2. Rita Arnaus (ESP)
    3. Claudia León (ESP)
    4. Kaya Lehmann (GER)

Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle Kite World Championships 2024

Men

    1. Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
    2. Arthur Guillebert (FRA)
    3. Finn Flügel (GER)

Women

    1. Bruna Kajiya (BRA)
    2. Rita Arnaus (ESP)
    3. Kaya Lehmann (GER)

Related Articles

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
Whitehead finish 9th at Formula Kite Europeans
A confident return to international competition in Urla, Türkiye Australia's Breiana Whitehead has made a confident return to international competition, finishing ninth overall at the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Türkiye. Posted on 20 May
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERSwitch One DesignDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOM