PKRA - New Caledonia event kicks off in 10 days

The second to the last leg of the 2010 Professional Kiteboard Riders Association (PKRA) World Tour happening from November 23 to 28, 2010 is one of the most highly anticipated events in kiteboarding this year. The Tour stop dubbed “Teri Kite Pro 2010" is sponsored in part by Teri, Orangina, Nissan, LVLNC, Sea*Doo, Le Meridien Noumea, RFO Nouvelle Caledonie, Air Austral, Total, and will be held at the beautiful South Pacific Island of New Caledonia at Pointe Magnin, Noum?a home to the world’s largest enclosed lagoon with remarkable, crystal clear, and perfectly flat water.

Since this new location’s debut last year, its success adds to the excitement of both international and local riders such as Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) from Australia, New Zealand stars Marc Jacobs (Switch Kites, NZL) and Torrin Bright (Ozone, NZL), and last but not least New Caledonia superstar Tom Hebert. This year’s PKRA World Title for the Freestyle discipline is still up for grabs and is being contested by three of the most prolific and extreme riders in the world.

The current PKRA World Tour leader Andy Yates (Flexifoil, AUS) is holding on strong at the top of the overall ranking with 5,114 points and is eager to win his first world title. Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) has the second highest amount of points, however due to his knee injury which occurred in Fuerteventura, Spain in August this year, he will no longer be able to finish the 2010 tour season which will result in a drop in his current ranking. It’s a close fight between Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) who has 4,639 points and Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) who is trailing by only 17 points with a total of 4,622 points. A podium position in New Caledonia is extremely important to both of these riders in order to gain a significant lead towards the PKRA World Title.

In the women’s freestyle rankings, Gisela Puildo (Airush, ESP) has a good lead, however Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) and Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) are following closely behind. It’s still anyone’s game! The mixture of high intensity kiteboarding action, the eagerness of the riders to capture a lead towards the World Title will surely make this upcoming event a smashing hit in kiteboarding entertainment.

Current PKRA Men’s Freestyle World Rankings (Top 5)

1. Andy Yates, Australia - 5,114 pts.

2. Kevin Langeree, Netherlands - 4,785 pts.

3. Alex Pastor, Spain - 4,639 pts.

4. Youri Zoon, Netherlands - 4,622 pts.

5. Alberto Rondina, Italy - 3,722 pts.

Current PKRA Women’s Freestyle World Rankings (Top 5)

1. Gisela Pulido, Spain - 5,665 pts.

2. Karolina Winkowska, Poland - 5,010 pts.

3. Bruna Kajiya, Brasil - 4,972 pts.

4. Angela Peral, Spain - 3,553 pts.

5. Kari Schibevaag, Norway - 3,240 pts.