Season-opening Freestyle event returns to Dunkerque’s historic strand for second successive year
GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup France
28 August—01 September, 2024 | Dunkerque
Reigning Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle Kite World Champions, Brazilians Bruna Kajiya and Carlos Mario, are set to open the defence of their crowns in northern France, on Dunkerque’s historic strand.
The GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup France is to be fought out over five days of thrilling action set to wow the fans thronging the North Sea port’s panoramic beaches in late summer.
It is the second successive year the GKA Freestyle discipline has landed in Dunkerque, but this year it opens the season. Two further events are due to follow: in Cauipe, Brazil, in November, and the finale at Fuwairit Kite Beach, Qatar, in December.
With three stops the pressure will be on the athletes hunting podium success as a slip-up at any of the events could prove costly for their big ambitions.
Arnaus’ comeback
Last season Bruna Kajiya won the event in Dunkerque in tricky conditions and she will no doubt be hoping to repeat the success that put her on the path to her fourth Freestyle world title.
Multiple world champion Mikaili Sol (USA) pulled out of Dunkerque just before the start of the contest last season. This year she has decided to step back from competition to rest and recharge after years on the tour, leaving the door open for other athletes.
The Danish rider, Therese Taabbel, is seeded number two in the eight-woman line-up, which has a cast of new faces and veterans. It includes the returning Spaniard, Rita Arnaus, coming back to competition after a knee injury.
Shared honours
The men’s 24-strong roster contains the cream of the Freestyle crop, and is stuffed with former world champions. In Dunkerque last year the wind dropped out during the final on the closing day, leaving Carlos Mario, Gianmaria Coccoluto (ITA), Arthur Guillebert (FRA) and Maxime Chabloz (SUI) to share the honours.
All are set to return to Dunkerque to battle again, where they will be joined by Mauritius-based Louka Pitot (FRA), and the teenager Finn Flügel (GER). The Japanese athlete Hironobu Nakano also comes back to the fray.
Among the more intriguing prospects is the reappearance of Tom Bridge (GBR), who always sets the competition alight with his unique style, and the Dominican powerhouse, Deury Corniel, also back after injury and an Olympics bid in kitefoil racing.
With a quarter of the fleet battling on home waters supported by their fans, it will undoubtedly be an enthralling contest. Be sure to join us here.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Samuel Cárdenas
Spot Info: Dunkerque
Dunkerque boasts almost 15kms of wide, sandy beaches that are a kiteboarding paradise on the North Sea. It is suitable for all levels of kiteboarders, who can find spots to launch and land easily, depending on their skill level.
Weather
The average maximum daytime temperature in Dunkerque in August is around 22.9°C (73.22°F). Usually, it is the warmest month of the year. The average minimum temperature goes down to around 13.6°C.
Wind
North-east or south-west winds are the most prevalent in Dunkerque. At the event site, those equate to a cross-onshore for the north-easterlies, and cross-shore in the south-westerlies. You can expect some kickers. The average winds range from 13-18 knots, with some days pushing to more than 25 knots.
Event Information
- Event: GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup France
- Spot: Place du Centenaire, Dunkerque
- Dates: 28 August—01 September, 2024
- Follow the whole event here
Follow us here
Stay on top of everything about GKA Dunkerque by clicking event news.
- Follow the event page: liveticker, livestream and live scoring
- Follow our Instagram and our new TikTok account for behind the scenes action and event updates
- Subscribe to our newsletter for end of day reporting
- Check out our youtube channel for daily highlight videos.
Liveticker will be updated throughout the day. Event highlight video will be published immediately after the close of the event. Written reports will be posted to the website at the end of the competition day.
