World's best kitesurfers kick off 2026 GKA Kite-Surf season in Cape Verde's Sal Island
by Gemma Hamaini 23 Feb 01:01 PST
16-21 February 2026
Cape Verde delivered a dramatic start to the 2026 GKA World Tour, as strategic riding and mental resilience proved decisive in tricky conditions.
The 2026 GKA season ignited on the iconic shores of Ponta Preta, Cape Verde — a venue that has become synonymous with world-class kite-surfing. Widely regarded as one of the sport's most demanding and spectacular wave locations, Ponta Preta presented the GKA with an unusually challenging forecast for this first event of the season.
Known for its powerful Atlantic swells and reliable trade winds at this time of year, the break welcomed a full roster of 24 men and 16 women, representing more than 13 nationalities. The global field reflected the ever-growing depth and diversity of the discipline — and set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested season.
A Title Race Wide Open
Nearly all of the top-ranked athletes were on site, ready to launch their 2026 campaigns. The only notable absence was reigning 2025 men's Kite-Surf World Champion Pedro Matos, who has elected to take the season off from competition.
His absence leaves the men's title race wide open. With no defending champion in the draw, the pressure — and opportunity — shifts to a hungry pack of contenders eager to stake their claim on the world crown.
A Challenging Start
Tuesday's forecast proved tricky, with conditions falling short of Ponta Preta's usual standards. Lighter winds and smaller swell tested the adaptability of the field as the men's division opened proceedings and successfully completed Round 1.
Heat winners advanced directly to Round 3, and the established contenders wasted no time asserting their authority.
James Carew, Hendrick Wischnewski, Gabriel Benetton, Artur Morais, Theo Demanez, Sebastien Ribeiro, Matchu Lopes, and Airton Cozzolino all progressed comfortably.
Even in underpowered, technical conditions, their familiarity with Ponta Preta's shifting peaks and demanding sections was evident. Precision rail work, wave selection, and composure under pressure made the difference as they navigated the light-wind challenge.
Patience and Persistence
With Round 1 in the books, the competition entered a holding pattern as the forecast deteriorated. By Thursday, officials made the call to push forward with Round 2 despite extremely marginal wind. The decision paid off, allowing the event to maintain momentum in conditions that required grit and tactical intelligence.
Round 2 proved demanding but manageable — and it was Nicola Abadjiev who delivered the standout performance of the afternoon. Demonstrating impressive control and wave awareness, the Bulgarian rider posted an excellent 8-point wave — no small achievement given the limited power and inconsistent swell on offer.
His performance underscored a key theme already emerging in Cape Verde: in 2026, versatility may prove just as decisive as raw power.
Advancing through another round alongside Abadjiev was Simao Bilro from Portugal, Lorenzo Casati, our most versatile GKA athlete from Spain, Everton Martins from Brazil and Woodley Hall from Australia, who entered the event last minute as a wildcard. The last heat of the day saw local wildcard Robertney Barros perform well using his local knowledge to help him advance to the next round. Alex Middeler from Germany, and Australian newcomer, Luke Atkinson were the last two athletes to advance through to round 3.
Round Three got under way on the penultimate day of competition, with conditions showing slight signs of improvement. The wind remained light, keeping things technical, and the sets were still inconsistent — arriving few and far between. It was a day that demanded patience, sharp decision-making, and flawless execution.
Despite the challenges, the athletes were determined to push deeper into the draw.
James Carew continued to look hungry for the win, attacking every opportunity with intent. Artur Morais appeared equally at ease, navigating the tricky conditions with confidence and control.
Sebastien Ribeiro delivered a composed and calculated performance to advance past local wildcard Robertney Barros, demonstrating maturity in wave selection and heat management.
But the standout heat of the round belonged to Airton Cozzolino. Going head-to-head with Australia's Luke Atkinson — who posted two solid scoring waves — the battle was intense from start to finish. In the end, Airton's deep understanding of Ponta Preta and wave selection made the difference. Posting a commanding 15.77 two-wave total — the highest score of the event so far — he secured his place in the quarterfinals in emphatic style.
Round Four marked a clear shift in intensity. The stakes rose, the margins tightened, and every heat carried the weight of the podium within reach.
James Carew faced Hendrick Witschi in a charged and hard-fought battle. Witschi, always comfortable at Ponta Preta, showed his trademark control and technical precision. But Carew rode with undeniable determination and fire, pushing harder on every section and ultimately finding the edge he needed to advance.
The second matchup delivered a blockbuster clash: former World Champion Gabriel Benetton against Brazil event winner Artur Morais. It was one of the closest heats of the event, with both riders posting matching six-point waves. Turn for turn, they traded scores in a razor-tight exchange. In the end, Benetton managed to carve out the narrowest of leads, edging ahead of his compatriot to secure his place in the semi-finals.
Woodley Hall's remarkable run continued. The Australian wildcard has been one of the breakout performers of the event, riding with confidence and maturity well beyond expectations. In his quarter-final against Sebastien Ribeiro, Hall looked poised to move on. But in the closing moments, Ribeiro found what he needed — a critical 6.67 wave that flipped the scoreboard and propelled him into the next round.
The penultimate day closed with a matchup worthy of a final: Airton Cozzolino versus Matchu Lopes. Two locals. Two former World Champions. Two riders with everything to prove.
What followed was nothing short of epic. In a heat packed with power, commitment, and world-class execution, Lopes found the better waves and extracted every possible point from each opportunity. Unstoppable in the decisive moments, he eliminated Cozzolino in a performance that will be remembered as one of the standout battles of the event.
Everything came down to the final day.
The swell showed promising signs of improvement, offering greater opportunity across the lineup. But the wind remained frustratingly light, keeping conditions technical and demanding for the remaining competitors. This would not be a day of raw power — it would be a test of strategy, precision, and composure under pressure.
Just when it seemed the competition would come to a close, a light breeze filled in — just enough to push the event forward and complete the semi-finals.
First up: James Carew versus Gabriel Benetton. Carew wasted no time, opening the heat with a powerful 8.33, a clear statement of intent. But drama struck early when his kite dropped into the water, costing him valuable minutes. Benetton capitalized, steadily building his scoreline with two solid waves. Once relaunched, however, Carew regained control. Charging back upwind, he found another strong wave and extended his lead, sealing his place in the final.
The second semi-final delivered another blockbuster: Sebastien Ribeiro against local hero Matchu Lopes. Both riders came out firing, quickly locking in two scores apiece. Ribeiro struck first with a 7-point ride, edging ahead. Then, in the dying moments, he dropped into a heavy set wave as the crowd erupted from the point. The score came in — 8.97 points. Lopes fought relentlessly to answer back, but time ran out. Ribeiro had eliminated the local favorite on home turf.
As the sun dipped behind Ponta Preta, daylight faded before the finals could be completed. The event concluded with James Carew and Sebastien Ribeiro sharing first place, while Matchu Lopes and Gabriel Benetton secured joint third.
Cape Verde is famed for its powerful swell and dependable trade winds, yet this time the elements only partially aligned within the competition window. Still, Ponta Preta once again proved why it remains one of the most iconic stages in kite-surfing — and we look forward to returning next year to witness it at its very best.