A late but successful kickoff at PKRA Cabarete

The wind was shinning, and the temperatures were a scorching 31 degrees Celsius as all the riders waited patiently for the wind to pick up in strength. After waiting for nearly two hours, the wind decided to come out and play here in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.

The men’s trial eliminations were completed rather quickly making it possible for the men’s single eliminations to commence. The first round of men’s freestyle single eliminations got underway at 3:15pm.

Advancing from the first round is Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) who defeated local Dominican rider Carlos Rodriguez (EH, D.R.) It was a successful day for most of the local Dominican riders; Felix Antoine (Star Kites, D.R.), local superstar Ariel Corniel (Ozone, D.R.), Alex Soto (F-One, D.R.) and Robinson Hilario (F-One, D.R.) skillfully jumped their way into the second round. Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP), Tomas Teixeira (RRD, BRA), Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS), Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA), Luke Whiteside (North, UK), Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED), Micheal Schitzhofer (JN Kites, AUT), Tom Hebert (Airush, NCL), and Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) eliminated their opponents making their way to the second round of heats.

It was a late start for the women’s freestyle single eliminations, however they had great wind and weather conditions to make their debut out on the water. Karolina Winkowska (Slingshot, POL) defeated the Dominican Queen of Kiteboarding Susi Mai (Cabrinha, GER) in the first heat of the women’s division. Holly Kennedy (North, UK) defeated Tala Elajou (F-One, FRA) but was later eliminated by Winkowska in the second round of heats. It was a sad day for Laila Puehringer (JN Kites, AUT) whom was defeated by Nadine Merks (F-One, NOR), Merks was later defeated by Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) in the second round. Johara Sykes-Davies (Flexifoil, UK) advanced to the second round but was later eliminated by Asia Litwin (Nobile, POL) whom defeated 13-year-old Kate Bowcutt (Epic Kites, D.R.) in the first round of heats. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) eliminated Audrey Meyer (Naish, FRA) in the second round.

The women’s freestyle single eliminations warp up for the day under a beautiful sun setting sky with happy eager spectators watching from the crowded Dominican beach. We will commence with the second round of the men’s division followed by the third round of the women’s.

Tomorrow mandatory skippers meeting is scheduled for 11:30am with the first possible start at 12:00pm.

The Cabarete World Cup 2010 was made possible by Millennium, Presidente, Republica Dominicana, LAX, Adeca, Ashoresoca, Asociacion Dominicana de Kiteboarding, Ayuntamiento de Cabarete/Sosua, Defensa Civil, El Magnifico, Servi Cab, Fuera Aerea Dominicana, La Punta Apartamentos, Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding, Manuel O. Matos, Brea S.A., Marina de Grerra, Policia Nacional, Politur, Dsde el Medio Tours, Agenda, Cabarete Events, Red Bull, Viva Wyndham Tangerine, Europcar, Coca Cola, Dasani, and Ocean Dream Resort.