Sixth world title for Brodel in Brazil

Frenchman pulls off another win to close out the Hyrdofoil Big Air season on top again

Copa Kitley GKA Big Air Kite World Cup Jericoacoara 2024
5–9 November, 2024 | Jericoacoara, Brazil

Copa Kitley GKA Hydrofoil Big Air Kite World Cup Jericoacoara 2024
5–9 November, 2024 | Jericoacoara, Brazil

France’s Charles Brodel was utterly dominant in the Copa Kitley GKA Hydrofoil Big Air Kite World Cup Jericoacoara in Brazil, taking a big win that earned him his sixth world title.

Brodel was again in a league of his own as he landed the victory in the second stop in the Hydrofoil Big Air division on the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour.

“I’m super, super-happy to win a sixth world title here in Brazil in great conditions,” said Brodel. “In the good wind in Brazil we’re able to express ourselves. So I’m really happy. I trained a lot in strong winds for the Red Bull King of the Air in three weeks, so I was a bit scared to ride in lighter conditions, but I managed well here.”

One of Brodel’s closest rivals and old sparring partner, the Dominican Republic’s Alex Soto, was equally delighted to get the second podium place in Brazil and have the chance again to battle with the Frenchman.

“I’m super-stoked to be honest,” said Soto. “It’s because I like the routine, the environment, competing against Charles [Brodel] that I’m super-excited. Really, super-stoked.”

Kept the pressure on

The fourth day of the Jericoacoara world cup saw the men’s Hydrofoil Big Air action shift into high gear. The first semi-final featured two Dominicans, Alex Soto and Joselito del Rosario, up against Finn Flügel (GER) and Hunter Becker (USA).

Del Rosario did not have the heat he wanted and ended up going out early despite his fourth place finish at the first stop in Sylt, Germany, in August. But his fellow countryman Soto got the win, helped by a 7.4 for a Contraloop Backroll Boardoff and advanced.

Fifteen-year-old Finn Flügel kept the pressure on with some solid scores and closed out his heat with a 6.0 for a Kiteloop Frontroll that booked him a place in the final.

The second semi-final was a battle of the big hitters. It pitted Antonin Rangin (FRA) against Peer Schnyder (SUI), Baptiste Bourdoulous and reigning world champion, Charles Brodel.

The Greek athlete Baptiste Bourdoulous could not quite match the pace of his rivals. But Peer Schnyder, who took a third at the Germany tour stop, pushed hard and came close to going forward.

Put down marker

France’s Antonin Rangin put down a marker with his first move that earned 7.37 for a Kiteloop Backroll. He went to the final with his compatriot Brodel, who was streets ahead by the time he closed out the heat with a 9.23 for a Kiteloop Backroll Boardoff.

The final was a tight affair between Antonin Rangin, Finn Flügel, Alex Soto and Charles Brodel. Rangin fell behind on the scoreboard despite some high-scoring tricks. Flügel pressed hard and scored 7.03 for a Contraloop Backrol that saw to third place.

The Dominican Soto went one better late in the heat with a 7.23 for a Contraloop Backroll that helped him to second place.

But no-one could match the firepower of Charles Brodel. His 9.13 for a Contraloop Frontroll Boardoff was accompanied by other tricks in the long eight-point range that put him on another plane. The Frenchman cruised to the win and with it landed his sixth world title.

The men’s Big Air Surfboard contest also got underway later in the day as the wind in the 25 knots range was not quite sufficient to continue the Big Air TwinTip competition.

Hungry for crown

Germany’s Keanu Merten was fired up and racked up some big scores to advance in an early heat. Noah Nicolas (FRA) got an even bigger score in his heat and moved to the semi-final.

Reigning world champion James Carew (AUS) injured himself right after his 2023 title win, but is back and hungry for another crown. His opening heat put him way out in front of the pack with a heat total of 30.93 out of a possible 40 for his four counting tricks.

The Casati brothers, Lorenzo and Leonardo, found themselves facing one another in one heat. Lorenzo won the heat to advance, but Louis Gossart (FRA), split the pair and ended Leonardo’s run.

France’s Camille Delannoy pulled on a lycra for the first time in a year after stepping back from competition. In the second round he advanced to the semi-final easily and showed he still had the competitive fire.

“This is my first event in a year,” said Delannoy. “I grew up 10 minutes from here in Prea. The conditions look nice and my family is all here. So it’s cool to be back here competing and put on the jersey back on.”

words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Svetlana Romantsova

GKA Hydrofoil Big Air Kite World Cup Jericoacoara results

1 Charles Brodel (FRA)
2 Alex Soto (DOM)
3 Finn Flügel (GER)
4 Antonin Rangin (FRA)

Spot Info

Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara offers lagoons for the freestylers and kickers on ocean for the Big Air athletes. The winds from 20 to 30 knots, or more, are constant and on all day from August to November. The winds are cross-onshore from the right, but outside Jeri town they tend to be cross-offshore. The lagoons, surrounded by sand dunes and palm trees, are separated from the sea by a low sandbars.

Weather
November is the driest months in Jeri. The air temperature during day can be between 32°C, the highest temperatures, and the lowest of 24°C. The water temperature of the sea is around 20-25°C, so nothing more than a summer shorty is required.  Sunrise is at about 05.30 and sunset is 17.30.

Wind
Easterly winds blow cross-onshore in Jericoacoara, between 20–30 knots. You can find the most accurate online wind forecasts on Windguru.

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