PKRA Cabarete ends with a spectacular surprise

The Cabarete Kiteboarding World Cup 2010 has been nothing less than a spectacular and successful event. More than 20 nationalities made their way to Cabarete to test their skills against the world’s best kiteboarders. Today’s weather conditions did not look very promising, but around 13:00 the sun came out, and the wind began to pick up in strength. The double eliminations commenced at 13:40 under sunny blue skies. Numerous spectators made their way down to the beach in hopes of getting a glance of their favorite professional rider in action.

The first heat of the day was in the women’s division, Audrey Meyer (Naish, FRA) against Holly Kennedy (North, GRB). Meyer defeated Kennedy moving her onto the next heat against the 2009 womens freestyle champion Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA). Kajiya was not on the top of her usual game here in Cabarete, however she was able to eliminate Meyer due to her better execution of tricks. It was a great day for Polish rider Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) who battled her way through two heats landing her into the final against Spanish rider Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP). Pulido was without a doubt on fire, landing many technical tricks from a kite loop slim to a KGB switch, which would earn her first place in the double eliminations.

In the men’s division, Alex Soto (F-One, DOM) was on fire with his aggressive riding style. Soto defeated Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL) in the first round on men’s heats, but was later eliminated by Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) whom had an overall better execution of tricks. Zoon went on to eliminate Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) in the next round of heats but was then defeated by Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) in the semi final. Langeree moved on to the final against local hero Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM). It was so nice to see all Corniel’s support group out on the beach helping him caddy his quiver of Ozone kites opposed to Langeree whom only had one back up kite in the air. The two battled their way through the 7-minute heat. Both competitors landed various technical tricks however Corniel landed more than 15 technical tricks with more power and better execution. It was without a doubt a unanimous judge’s decision in favor of Corniel. A large crowd of Dominican’s rushed to greet Corniel on the beach, lifting him in the air, carrying him like a king. Corniel is the second professional rider to ever win a second title here in Cabarete, once in 2007 and 2010. Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) was the first to win two titles, once in 2006 and again in 2008.

The Cabarete World Cup 2010 was made possible by Millennium Resort & Spa, Cerveza Presidente, Ministerio de Tourismo, SEDEFIR, EH Kiteboarding, Europcar, Viva Wyndham Tangerine, LAX, Amber Dune Resort & Spa, Sea Horse Ranch, Red Bull, Carib Wind Centre, Coca Cola, Dasani, Empaq, La Campagna, Ocean Dream Resort, Gran Cabanna Resort, Stonefish, Kite Beach Hotel, Airbound Apparel, ProMed (Ambulance Service), L'Agence Real Estate, Maraja, Villa Taina, Pomodoro, Hotel Tropical Casa Laguna, Puerto Plata Security Group. Thank you very much for all your support.

DOUBLE ELIMINATION RESULTS

MEN RESULTS:

1- Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM)

2- Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED)

3- Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)

4- Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA)

WOMEN RESULTS:

1- Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP)

2- Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL)

3- Asia Litwin (Nobile, POL)

4- Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA)