The wind was averaging 16 knots, South West on low tide at 14h00. The sun was out, not a cloud in sight and the spectators were on the beach ready to enjoy the kitesurfing action!
The highly anticipated heat between Christophe Tak and Jesse Richman started off proceedings and what a heat it was.
Tak began with a stylish low mobe switch followed by a 313. Jesse looked to be feeling the pressure a little, but landed a smooth double s-bend handlepass that seemed to settle his nerves. He went on to a front mobe, slim chance and blind judge 3 with excellent kite position and good style. Unfortunately today looked to be Tak’s and he went through the motions, performing an array of tricks including a back mobe 5, blind judge 3 and a tomahawk. He progressed into the quarterfinals to face Michael Shitzhofer. (AUS, JN). His dream of reaching his first semi final on the KPWT was ended though by Shitzhofer, who was again looking strong in his heats.
For the women, Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH) faced Sarah Demdoum (FRA, CABRINHA) in the first quarterfinal.
Gisela looked comfortable and seemed to have rested her knee well after her injury in Germany. She flew through Sarah, who just never seemed to settle in. I think the nail in the coffin for Sarah was an S-Bend Handlepass and a huge 360 by Gisela near the end of the heat. She will go on to face Ania Grzelinska (POL, NORTH) in the first semi final for the ladies single elimination.
At 16h00 conditions got really good and wind had picked up to over 20 knots. The semi final between Vincent Tiger and Shitzhofer looked as if they were both overpowered on their 10meter kites! Getting huge air and strong manoeuvres to entertain the many spectators that had come down to the beach to enjoy the festivities and the kitesurfing!
The other side of the women’s table saw Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE) up against Hannah Whiteley (UK, JN). They both used the wind well to perform a cool board-off each, but Kari landed a very stylish S-Bend to blind that looked to win her the heat, and into her first KPWT Freestyle Final against Gisela Pulido. Gisela again proved too strong for the ladies within the freestyle discipline and took the ladies single elimination in Dunkerque.
The men’s final was between Peter Tyukjevich (RUS, FLEXIFOIL) and Michael Shitzhofer (AUS,JN).
Peter had been consistently strong throughout his heats, knocking out Leander Vyvey in the quarter-finals. His trick of the day must have been a front mobe with a very late rotation and an old school trick that looked to be 5 rotations!
The final was an absolute spectacle between two world-class competitors! Both with different styles, but maintained excellent kite positions when going through the manoeuvres that they thought were enough to take the title here in France.
After the single elimination was completed, the race director decided to take advantage of the good wind and run the juniors division. The results for this will be released tomorrow and lets hope we get another day with good wind!
Women Single Elimination:
1. Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH)
2. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
3. Ania Grzelinska (POL, NORTH)
Men Single Elimination:
1. Peter Tyukjevich (RUS, FLEXIFOIL)
2. Michael Schitzhofer (AUS, JN)
3. Steve Verelest (BEL, BEST)
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