A huge double bill beckons in Tarifa!
Tuesday 26th June, Valdevaqueros, Tarifa
Report: Jim Gaunt / Photos: Toby Bromwich
Tuesday morning saw the start of what could be a momentous week in world kiteboarding competition as the two GKA World Tours line up to compete at one thrilling event: the Jeep Tarifa Pro 2018.
For the last three years this event has staged the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour (a wave and strapless freestyle world tour – this round in Tarifa focuses on the strapless freestyle side of the discipline as there are fewer waves at this time of year).
This year the event also welcomes the GKA Kiteboarding World Tour ‘Air Games’ riders as well.
That means there will be a total of 90 riders competing in the sunny Valdevaqueros waters in front of an always adoring Tarifan crowd.
RUNNING TWO TOURS: GKA KITE-SURF WORLD TOUR AND GKA KITEBOARDING WORLD TOUR ‘AIR GAMES’
The event and judging crew will rotate focus between the two tours. Day one (Tuesday) was registration and first possible competition day for the strapless riders. Day two (Wednesday) will see the Air Games riders take over the spot. And so on…
Unfortunately the thermals didn’t quite come up enough to bring about the start of the competition on Monday. So we look ahead to the Air Games starting tomorrow, but let’s check the format for Thursday when the KSWT will try again:
GKA Kite-Surf World Tour (KSWT)
MEN – SINGLE / DOUBLE ELIMINATION
With 33 men registered only one round one heat will run (8A) to complete the ladder for round two. In round two, two heats will run at the same time, giving a four-hour single elimination contest duration.
WOMEN – SINGLE / DOUBLE ELIMINATION
Strapless freestyle is a new addiction for women, but it’s growing. Six women will compete in Tarifa in two single elimination heats. The top two in each heat will advance.
HEATS:
01: JC Catarina / Isabeau Galliart / Charlotte Carpentier
02: Sasha Jade Gabriel / Bianca Kersten / Carla Herrera Oria
Look out for an update on the Air Games format tomorrow.
Don’t worry, this is Tarifa! There was still enough Poniente wind to get wet with some form of shred! Javier Fernandez flinging the foil!
