A perfect ten and plot twist as finals near

Pumping wind and non-stop action leads up to finals of the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt 2024

Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt
20—25 August, 2024 | Brandenburger Strand

Another windy morning showed very promising conditions for a full day of action on day three of the Defender GKA Hydrofoil Big Air World Cup Sylt. The women’s heats started and the men’s heats continued which followed a heat format of six freestyle trick attempts, followed by an eight-minute window of pure wave action.

The former 2022 Kite-Surf vice world champion Kesiane Rodrigues (BRA) stood out with her freestyle moves in round one, heat three, securing her first place, which allowed her to advance to round three. However, as knock-out round two started to shape the leaderboard, the athletes faced a heavy shore break and winds blowing 18-27 knots which unfortunately saw Simona Schatzmann (SUI) and Sonja Bunte (GER) exiting the competition. On the men’s side, unfortunately, both Kelton Lopes (CPV) and Hendrick Lopes (SUI) were also forced to drop out of the competition due to injury.

Action from the get-go

The men’s round three saw action from the get-go with the 2023 event winner Kiko Roig (ESP) opening up the first heat with a beautiful front roll, leaving Yaris Dell’omo (ITA) to answer back. Roig landed smoothly pumping his fist as he claimed a 7.13 front roll board off which put him comfortably in the lead. 

“I’m really happy I won the heat,” said Roig, “but I’m going to focus on the freestyle side in the next heat because I think it’s the part that I can get the most points to make the difference”

The perfect ten

Heat two of round three saw Gabriel Benetton (BRA) scoring a 9.47 in his opening trick of a triple front roll, the first we had seen in the competition so far and demonstrated with such commitment and power. Woodley Hall (USA) had his work cut out to keep up but was pushing hard, but it seemed the fight was over as Benetton made history by landing a flawless triple front roll shove it three. The crowd went absolutely wild as a perfect ten score dropped, showing that the Sylt action had ramped up to new levels.

“I’ve been training this trick for such a long time”, said Benetton, “and I wasn’t even thinking to do it, but the wind was so strong, so I gave it a try”. It firmly secured Benetton with a heat win of 26.00 points, the highest so far.

Surprise plot twist 

While the audience was still recovering from the excitement of heat two, Lorenzo Casati (ESP) prepared to go head-to-head against Pedro Matos (BRA), one of the best kite-surf riders in the world. “It’s really the perfect conditions,” said Casati, “and the next heat with Pedro Matos is going to be a really hard one, but I’m going to try all my best tricks and try to advance” 

Casati, well known for his skills in Big Air competitions, is less known in the Kite-Surf discipline. Showing off his versatility, Casati began the heat landing every trick with a score above seven. Matos used his tactic of switching into waves early on in the competition, playing to his strengths and hoping to increase his scores. The wind dropped to 25 knots and Matos showed his hunger in the waves riding backside, but Casati remained in the lead.

Just as Matos overtook Casati on the scores, the buzzer sounded leaving Casati the chance to take his last wave. Casati maxed out every turn and squeezed the very last bit of juice out of the wave, fighting in the most exciting heat of the competition so far. The judges took their time to deliberate who won, keeping everyone in suspense, but Casati was the one who went through to take the win, leaving Matos speechless on the beach as well as a jaw-dropped audience.

Women compete in 42 knots

The female athletes experienced tough conditions in round three with winds gusting up to 42 knots, and strong currents. Despite the challenges, seasoned competitor Capucine Delannoy (FRA) pulled off a massive front roll tic tac scoring 7.6 as she faced Daniela Moreno (ESP) in the last heat of the day which secured her a place in the semi-finals.

“There’s been non-stop action witnessed from the judging tower today” said Head Judge, Paulino Pereira. “My highlight was Benetton who landed the first ever triple front shove it with a perfect ten, and on the wave side he was the most complete rider. Also, Casati was really good on the freestyle part, and Matchu Lopes did some nice hacks on the waves too.”

Stay glued to the coverage as it’s finals day tomorrow and promises to be one not to be missed.

words: Caroline Morris
images: Lukas K Stiller

Spot Info: Sylt

Sylt is Germany’s fourth largest and northern-most island. It is famed for its nature reserve, untamed beauty and 40kms of sandy beaches. Brandenburger Strand is the main beach in front of Westerland. Sylt’s tourism service has organised an event there since 1983. The event’s 450 metres promenade will feature partner stands with everything from kitesurfing gear to great food and drinks.

Weather
Sylt has a northern European climate, so weather conditions are mild in August. The air temperature during day can be between 25°C at the highest temperatures, with a low of 12°C. The water temperature of the North Sea is around 16°C, so bringing a wetsuit, and a jacket is recommended. Sunrise is 05.00 and sunset is 22.00.

Wind
The wind can vary, depending on the weather pattern. Westerly winds blow 15-35 knots, onshore at Westerland. Easterly winds blow around 12-25 knots, offshore at Westerland.

Event Information

• Event: GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt
• Spot: Brandenburger Strand, Sylt
• Dates: 20—25 August, 2024
• Follow the whole event here

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