PKRA - Day 3 Freestyle Action in Changing Winds

After the solid wind conditions that were experienced in the prior day’s heats, day 3 of the PKRA Kitesurf World Cup arrived with all the promise of stronger winds and an exciting start to the main event freestyle. At the 10 am riders meeting, the wind was already blowing 10-14 knots, and hopes were high for a full day of competition.

As the wind strengthened, the start time was set and the heats got underway. Unfortunately, after a few minutes into the first heat, riders began to struggle and the heat had to be abandoned due to variable winds on the inside of the completion area, which would fill in and then retreat seemingly without warning. This was a scenario that would unfold continually as the day progressed. As the day was young, conditions soon improved and spectators were treated to some solid freestyle riding with some close heats as riders battled it out on their biggest kites.

The up and down conditions were challenging for all and had riders calculating the right time and conditions to execute their maneuvers. Noteworthy performances came during heat 3, while despite solid and stylish riding from Hutter, the young Brazilian Mario advanced, earning the highest score of the day with an impressive Hinterberger Mobe 5 and Blind Judge 7 (8.67). Heat 5 was the closest heat of the day wherein De Souza beat out Bakker by only .02 and both riders landing high scoring tricks. Also, notable - Neto’s double grab S-Mobe 5 turned heads and scored a solid 7.4 on the judge’s tablets in Heat 6.

Upon finishing the men’s round, the ladies took advantage of their first opportunity to compete. Largely comprised of South American riders, the first 4 heats featured Vieira from Brazil with the highest scoring heat. Advancing to the next round were Pipkin, Campos, Vieira and Jurado.

Switching back to the men, the Brazilian duo of Eudazio Da Silva and Carlos Madson went head-to-head in the fluky conditions with Da Silva taking the win. In the last heat of the day, Tack advanced over Umpierre.

It was clear in the final 2 heats of the day that contestable conditions would not return and the event was called for the day. With the sun setting late here in the southern hemisphere, some of the riders used the remaining daylight to do some tasting at a local winery. With glasses in hand, the riders cheered with high hopes that tomorrow will see the return of better wind. Hopes are high that tomorrow will see the return of better wind. Riders will meet at 10:30 am with a first possible start of 11:00. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter feeds for all the latest updates.