The GKA wrapped another day of competition at the Kite-Surf World Cup – Cape Verde 2020. Today included higher scores, mixed conditions and some surprising results!
The wind was slightly stronger at Kite Beach, but it came with a side onshore wave, making riding conditions tricky for competitors.
The day got off to a great start with Titik Lopes (CV) setting the bar for high scores in the first heat of the day, with a complete score of 10.24. He will go on to face Pedro Matos (BR), the rider with the highest overall score from Day 1, in the first heat of the next round. Pedro scored an impressive 13.53, given the difficult conditions in his heat against local favorite, and event organizer Djo Silva (CV) but that didn’t dampen Djo’s spirit, he’s still riding the high of this incredible event, which has taken place right out front of the kite school he runs with the world number two Mitu Monteiro (CV). Big props to these guys for making this event happen!
Reece Myerscough (CA) took away a respectable 11.40 complete score and James Carew (AU) bagged a 10.60, they will now face each other in Round 6 tomorrow, and it’s sure to be a tough match.
Heat 5 saw two talented Cape Verdeans battle it out on their home break. Matchu Lopes (SP), who competes for Spain, is having a great comeback event so far. He looked chilled and comfortable and scored a 6.27 on his first wave. Arseniso Dias (CV) was close on his heels until Matchu checked the livescore system and upped his game with a sweet tailslide 360. It’s safe to say Matchu Lopes is back in action!
One of the most surprising riders of this event is Charly Martin (RE). The youngster from Reunion is celebrating his 15th Birthday today, and with a complete score of 10.70, he moves into the quarter finals against Matchu tomorrow.
Sebastian Ribeiro (BR) stormed through his heat with powerful hacks despite the difficult conditions. He took the highest scoring wave of the day stomping a solid 7.40 and a complete score of 12.07. He will face the highest overall scorer of the day, and reigning world champion, Airton Cozzolino (CV) in the next round. Being the crowd pleaser that he is, Airton also took the best move of the day, with a huge 360 on his second last wave.
One complete round of eight heats was completed in the men’s division.
The afternoon conditions were less than perfect for the women’s division, with riders finding the mushy, sideshore, waves tricky at times. There were lulls in the wind which made wave selection even more crucial for scoring points.
One rider that didn’t seem to notice the lack of swell was Ines Correia (PT). The Portugese woman spends part of the year in Cape Verde, and local knowledge shone through. Ines took both the highest scoring wave of the day 6.93, and the highest complete score 13.70 in the women’s division in the first heat. She goes through to face JC Edin (SE) in the quarter finals. Johanna-Catharina goes through with a complete score of 8.54.
The women’s Freestyle world champion Mikaili Sol (BR) proved today that she is an all-round waterwoman, by advancing into the quarter finals at her first ever Kite-Surf event. The 15 year old moved through with a complete score of 8.84. She now faces GKA Kite-Surf World Tour veteran Charlotte Carpentier (FR) who advanced with a complete score of 9.54.
Peri Roberts (AU) was riding with power in the mushy waves today. The Australian turned the conditions to her favor with a complete score of 10.20, as did Lilian Malschaert (NL),with her complete score of 6.27. The two women will now face each other in the quarter finals.
Local rider Irati Fonseca (CV) came through her heat (much to the delight of the home crowd) with a complete score of 6.97. The Cape Verdean will now face the current female world champion Carla Herrera (SP) in the quarter finals. Carla rode her heat well, with an impressive 6.00 wave, and a complete score of 11.07.
One complete round of eight heats was completed in the women’s division.