Freestyle world cup in Cauipe tantalisingly poised with finals set to go down on closing day of contest
Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe 2024
12–15 November, 2024 | Cauipe, Brazil
The Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe is finely poised with finals set to close out the high-octane competition on the final day of action in Brazil, when the winners will be crowned.
The second day of action in the idyllic Freestyle conditions of Cauipe’s iconic lagoon, with breezes of more than 20 knots blowing over the flat waters, generated some surprise upsets and breakout moments.
Sixteen-year-old Davi Ribeiro (BRA) booked his place in the semi-final with a huge performance that put out Italy’s Matteo Dorotini, who was a finalist in the season’s opening round in Dunkerque, France, in August. In an earlier heat Riberio chalked up a the day’s only perfect 10 for a Backside 317 Rewind.
France’s Louka Pitot was another surprise faller when he was stripped of a place in the semi-final by Australia’s Leo Verrecchia. The Australian leapfrogged Pitot by a fraction of a point to advance in second place in the quarter-final.
“I’m really super stoked,” said Verrecchia. “I rode really well to my ability and I landed all the tricks I was working on. Brazil has pretty much the best conditions in the world. That’s why I come here to train with all the pros and get better. Today was especially perfect for the kites I like using.”
Looking dangerous
The whole day was studded with jaw-dropping riding. One of the standouts from the early rounds was Brazil’s Erick Anderson who dominated his first heat, earning 8.8 points from a possible 10 for a Heart Attack 7. But Anderson was just outpointed in his quarter-final to end a stellar run.
Another Brazilian, João Lucas, also commanded attention with an early heat win. But he was also sent out in the quarter-final, when he was just overhauled on the scoreboard despite opening with a huge 8.5 Heart Attack 7.
Former world champion Gianmaria Coccoluto (ITA) was one of those who did the damage in that same quarter-final which he won. He has been looking dangerous with his powered and precise tricks throughout the competition and advanced to the semi-final along with Valentin Garat (FRA).
If anything, Switzerland’s Maxime Chabloz was looking even more lethal by the quarter-final stage. His 9.73 for a Back Mobe 7 helped give him the day’s highest heat total, 33.67 for his four counting tricks.
Germany’s Finn Flügel, 15, was again a sensation. In his quarter-final he earned the highest score of the competition for a Combo of back-to-back tricks—8.93—that helped him go forward. Egypt’s Karim Mahmoud went though in second, but it was a close call and he could match the fireworks of his opening round.
Monster heat
France’s Arthur Guillebert, the tour leader after his win at the opening round in France, also went to the semi-final. He pulled it out of the fire with the last trick of his heat, a massive 9.6 for a Front Blind Mobe 5 that earned him a second behind Davi Ribeiro.
The women’s competition saw Spain’s Rita Arnaus take to the water for the first time. Ranked number two after her runner-up spot in France, Arnaus put together an assured heat that saw her to the semi-final.
Tour leader, Brazil’s Bruna Kajiya, came out charging and racked up a monster heat for a 31.57 total. Her first trick, a Slim 5 for 8.53 set the tone, and she landed every one of her seven attempts.
Poland’s Martyna Konkel earned a place in the semi-final. She will be joined by Germany’s Julia Heckhausen, who got second in the quarter-final by the merest fraction of a point.
In the other quarter-final Naïs Balbinot, of Italy, also goes to the semi-finals when she took second in the heat. France’s Matilda Roux got a convincing win to also land herself a place in the semi-final.
“Today was perfect for my 9m,” said Roux. “I love kiting when the wind is stronger. I landed almost all of my tricks. So, really, I’m looking forward to the semi-final. I feel confident. Before, I would have been OK if I lost in the semi-final. But now I want to go to the final.”
Join us here to see how it all plays out.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Svetlana Romantsova
Spot Info
Cauipe
Cauipe Lagoon offers butter-flat waters and constant winds. It is perfect for freestyle and many pros train there during the European winter months. Cauipe Lagoon, outside Cumbuco village and 30kms from Fortaleza, forms at low tide. The lagoon, surrounded by sand dunes and palm trees, is separated from the sea by a low sandbar. That ensures the water inside is always smooth. Outside the sandbar, the wide beach is bathed by wind swell driven by the 18 to 25 knots of north-easterly breeze.
Weather
November is the driest month in Cauipe. 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 27°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 sideshore in Cauipe, between 15–25 knots. You can find the most accurate online wind forecasts on Windguru.
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