GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde kicks off the 2026 season
by Ian MacKinnon 10 Feb 04:00 PST
16-21 February 2026
GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde 2025 © Lukas K Stiller
The 2026 GKA Kite-Surf season once again opens in the iconic point break of Cape Verde's Sal Island, with the title race set to be tighter than ever as it plays out over a scheduled five globe-trotting stops.
- World Champion Capucine Delannoy opens defence of crown
- Title holder Pedro Matos misses stop where he won last year
Women's world champion, France's Capucine Delannoy, began the title trail to her third Kite-Surf crown last year with a win for the first time in Ponta Preta. Delannoy, 19, has again been in Cape Verde training since the start of the year, hoping to make it a fourth Kite-Surf title.
"I think if could do the same [this] year and win the title, that would be great," said Delannoy. "I had a lot of fun. I improved a lot as well. I won three events and winning in Cape Verde was really special. It was the highlight of the season."
But Pedro Matos is set to miss the opening stop in defence of his crown. The Brazilian landed his first men's Kite-Surf title last season in a journey that began with an historic victory in Ponta Preta, when he took down local legend Airton Cozzolino (ITA) in an epic final.
A full line-up of 24 men and an expanding roster of women, with 18 athletes, from a total of 13 countries around the world are set to battle for glory in the intimidating right-hander of Ponta Preta that curls around the rocky point into a sandy bay.
Multiple world champion, the US's Moona Whyte, is not in the women's line-up for the first time in many years. Whyte was defeated in the final in Ponta Preta last year after many victories in one of her favourite waves.
But the women's second seed, Brazil's Kesiane Rodrigues, will be in the mix. She will be eager to start her 2026 campaign where she left off last year, with a victory at the season finale in her native Taíba.
Among a host of new faces on the women's roster, the number three seed, Brazil's Serena Luz, will looking to build on the success of her third place finish overall in 2025.
Airton Cozzolino heads to men's order in Cape Verde, with Matos out. But no doubt the Brazilian duo, former world champion Gabriel Benetton and Sebastian Riberio, will be snapping at the Italian's heels.
Australia's James Carew is seeded number three for Cape Verde, but must be wary of the Brazilian talent Artur Morais, who won the final stop of last season in his home spot of Taíba.
The versatile and supremely talented Casati brothers—Big Air world champion Lorenzo campaigning under the Spanish flag, Leonardo under the Italian banner—return once again, showing their desire to be among the most rounded kiteboarders of their age.
Local favourites Mitu Monteiro (CPV) and Matchu Lopes (ESP) are among a number of Cape Verdeans in the line-up who will certainly keep the fans, just metres away from the action on the rocky shoreline, entertained. Join us here for all the action.