This past Saturday saw an incredible day of racing and freestyle with blue skies and great breeze at the 2012 Miami Kite Masters. Team Cabrinha was well represented with Henry Connart flying in from Destin, FL , Annabel Van Westerop “Tinkerbell” from Aruba, and local riders Jan Lucas, Rich Gardner, Gary Menk, Leif Gibons, Alexandra Menk, Johnny Berger, Matt Collins, Brandon “The Bull” Bowe, and Racing world Champion Damien LeRoy all on hand.
We could have not asked for a better day as the wind was averaging 15 to 20 knots at 10am. First up was racing! A two-lap figure eight course made for exciting racing as the riders dodged one another at over 20 knots!
As the horn blew Damien LeRoy was pushing the men’s fleet with great speed and consistency. A big surprise was Matt Collins, wave rider extraordinaire, giving Damien a run for his money despite having spent little time on race board. On the women’s side Annabel must have put her time in as she was smoking the women’s fleet and beating most of the men as well. 3 incredible races were held with nothing but non-stop action, tangles and close finishes.
In the freestyle, local boy wonder Johnny Berger came out firing! With 313’s and low mobes, he landed tricks he had never done before. Matt Collins and Damien held nothing back as they both climbed the ladder board. There was no question Brandon Bowe was on a mission with incredible power and style, earning him his new nickname “The Bull”. He was definitely looking like the guy to beat.
On the women’s side it was a battle between Alexandra Menk and Annabel. Very clean riding from both as they started to take down their competitors. “Tinkerbell” was definitely riding very strong, stomping tricks like back to Blinds, Blind Gudge’s and huge kite loops. She stole the show all the way to the final and walked away with the win.
The men’s final was a must see battle between Matt Collins, Damien LeRoy, Brandon Bowe and Leif Gibons. Two minutes before the start the wind started to really pick up. As the horn blew for the start riders were maxed out and the show started with massive jumps and supper powered handle passes.
The crowd was fired up as everyone was going off, crashing like no other and pushing each other. The Bull was on a mission and never stopped till the last second of the heat.
Thank you to Miami Kiteboarding for a great event this year!
Results Men Race:
1. Damien LeRoy
2. Matt Collins
3. Gary Menk
Results Women Racing:
1. Annabel Van Westerop
2. Alexandra Menk
3. Jeanice Stone
Results Men Freestyle:
1. Brandon Bowe
2. Damien LeRoy
3. Leif Gibons
4. Matt Collins
Results Women Freetlye:
1. Annabel Van Westerop
2. Alexandra Menk
3. Jeanice Stone