Women Stand Out at the
2015 NZ Kiteboarding Nationals
Written by: Catarina Gutierrez
Photos by: Isaac Spedding
“This is your 15-minute warning!” exclaimed the event organizer. She was almost as delighted as the rest of the crowd. Most had been waiting 3 days for the wind to pick up and travelled from all over New Zealand. The 2015 NZ Kiteboarding Nationals was located in at Foxton Beach, Horowhenua Estuary, New Zealand, one of New Zealand’s top kiteboard locations.
Before the announcement, most competitors (125 registered in total) were busy catching up and enjoying the event that Glen Butcher “Butch” and his team put on. They were buzzed to be in one place again and eager for the competition to start. In between bustling beachside activity and competitors switching in and out of heats, Marc Jacobs pulled out all of the tricks and won the Open Men’s Competition for the 8th year in a row. In the future, Jacobs has his eyes set on winning 10 in a row. He put on a show for the entire crowd of spectators who were lined up on the beach to watch one of New Zealand’s greatest riders.
Marc Jacobs goes 8 for 8
The Open Women’s Competition shined right alongside the men’s with three British women showing off their stuff in the gusty, apocalyptic conditions. The crowd were on their feet to watch the women take stage. Hollers and cheers from the spectators seemed to edge the women on as the winds grew stronger and the jumps got bigger, each woman holding her own. Trick for trick, the race was close until the very end. Sukie Robertson won the title in the end. Danielle Durrant won second and Polly Crathorne placed third, each grinning ear to ear to be competing alongside close mates and showing what women can do for the sport of kiteboarding.
Polly Crathorne raleys here way to 3rd
View the gallery below:
