Apr-25-2011
Leucate, France, April 25th, 2011 – It was a beautiful sunny day in France today. The wind began to slowly build in strength throughout the morning enabling for the continuation of the men’s as well as women’s freestyle trial eliminations. Shortly after lunch, the wind had reached about 15-25 knots therefore the PKRA Race Director, Erik Troostheide announced that the red flag would be elevated for the kick off of the PKRA Mondial du Vent 2011 main event at 1:00pm sharp.
Even though the wind was extremely gusty it allowed for an afternoon full of exciting uncensored freestyle single elimination action. In the men’s single elimination division, it was an outstanding day for the Dominican Republic boys who pushed their skills to limitless levels causing upsets in the single elimination ladder.
Luis Alberto Cruz (Starkites, DOM) was one of the riders who performed exceptionally for the large crowd of spectators on the beach. Cruz had a few tricks up his sleeve, landing a one-handed Late Mobe with his kite practically inches above the water as well as double handle passes, an outstanding 313 with a super low kite position which enable him to eliminate his opponents such as Mario Rodwald (North, GER) in the first round as well as Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) in a 5/0 judge’s decision followed by Mikael Blomvall (Nobile, SWE) in the third round due to his cleaner executions, variety of tricks as well as kite position.
Robinson Hilario (F-ONE, DOM) was also riding extremely well executing a variety of difficult tricks against his opponents such as a Front Mobe 5, 315, and an Indy Grab double 313 pass defeating Tjin Van Esch (Advance, NED) in the first round as well as Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) in the second round who executed four switch tricks which would not be enough to surpass Hilario’s cleaner executions and variety of technical tricks. Hilario went on to eliminate Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL) in the third round where the competition came to a halt due to the fierce rain and thunderstorm weather conditions, which moved into the area rather quickly.
Reno Romeu (North, BRA), Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA), Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) as well as Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) all move into the third round which will resume tomorrow.
In the women’s freestyle single elimination division, Marie Switala (F-ONE, FRA) advanced from the first round moving her into the second round against Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) who eliminated Switala in a 5-0 judge’s decision. Winkowska moves on to challenge Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) in the third round. Asia Litwin (Nobile, POL) as well as Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) defeated their contenders today moving them up the ladder to meet each other in the third round, which will resume tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s wind forecast is predicting nearly the same conditions as today therefore the mandatory skippers meeting is set for 9:00am with the first possible start at 9:30am.
The Mondial du Vent is sponsored in part by Orange, Volkswagen Utilitaires, Veolia, Midi Libre, L’Independant, La Region Languedoc Roussillon, France 3 Languedoc Roussillon, RMC Info Talk Sport, Orangina, Airwaves, O’Neill, Maui Jim, and Leucate Mediterranee.
PKRA Press Secretary
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