PKRA - Germany 2009 Day 7

St. Peter-Ording, Germany, July 31 - Today marks the conclusion of the double elimination event. Someone put an order into the weather station this morning requesting moderate winds of 15 to 18 knots, sun, clouds and a temperature of 19? Celsius. That is exactly what was seen on the beach at 9:30 am this morning as the red flag went up. Most riders had their 9-meter kites ready to fly out onto the water.

Men’s Double Freestyles Highlights

The first heat of the day would be an interesting one with four riders out on the water. The judges had eyes in all directions making sure to not miss a trick.

Lewis Crathern (Slingshot, GBR) landed a railey to blind, blind judge, low mobe and FS3 defeating North rider Thomas Paris (FRA) who also landed tricks such as 313, blind judge 3, kgb-180 and front mobe but was disqualified due to a line entanglement. Crathern advanced to the second round of heats where Naish team rider Alex Pastor (ESP) eliminated him. Pastor moved on to a heat against Mike Blomvall (Nobile, SWE) defeating him due to more variety of tricks as well as powered switch tricks, which would then send him to a tough heat against Slingshot rider Andy Yates (AUS).

Yates proved that he wasn’t going down without a fight defeating Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) as well as Cabarete Champion Ariel Corniel (Ozone, DOM) and North rider Reno Romeu (BRA) in separate heats today. Yates executed his tricks with more power and technical style. Amongst some of his tricks were a front mobe to blind, and kgb to blind. Yates would later lose his winning streak against Slingshot rider Youri Zoon (NED) in heat # 33landing him fourth place in today’s competition.

It was a big day for Slingshot Rider Youri Zoon (NED) who defeated five time world champion Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, GBR) in a 4-1 decision. Zoon made an overall impression on the judges as he executed each trick with great style, power and most importantly kite positioning. Zoon forged his way into the finals against fellow Dutchman and yesterdays first place single freestyle winner Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED). It would be a final 5-0 decision in favor of Langeree due to better execution of tricks and variety. Some of the most outstanding tricks executed by Langeree was a one-handed kgb grab, front mobe to blind, and a one handed 313 with a grab.

Women’s Double Freestyle Highlights

The women were a little anxious to state their claim to fame as they spurted out onto the water today. In the first women’s heat, Jo Wilson (Naish, GBR) defeated Erika Lindberg (Flexifoil, SWE) in a 3-0 judges decision. Wilson moved on to the next round and defeated Johara Sykes-Davis (Flexifoil, GBR) due to more power and better execution of tricks as well Best rider Kristin Boese (GER). Wilson was later eliminated by North rider Angela Peral (ESO) in heat #16 landing a railey to blind, back roll to wrapped and a powered blind judge.

More women’s action was about to take place as Flexifoil rider Bruna Kajiya (BRA) defeated Naish rider Karolina Winkowska (POL) landing more difficult tricks and a higher variety of moves. Kajiya would have to prove her abilities in the last and final women’s heat of the day against yesterday’s single freestyle winner Joanna Litwin (Nobile, POL). It was a very entertaining heat as the women went neck-and-neck performing with much class and style. Litwin took her spot at the podium yet again defeating Kajiya with more power and better execution of tricks.

Today’s events wrapped up at 5:30 pm while tomorrow’s mandatory rider’s meeting is scheduled for 10:00 am.

Palmolive for Men Kitesurf World Cup 2009 in sponsored in part by Quicksilver.

Freestyle Double Elimination Results:

Men:
1. Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED)
2. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)
3. Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, GBR)

Women:
1. Joanna Litwin (Nobile, POL)
2. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, Brazil)
3. Karolina Winkowska (Naish, POL)