Seven of our team riders were just in Brazil to compete and make the most of the great waves of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Saquarema surf. The Copa Kitley GKA Kite-Surf World Cup and the Copa Kitley GWA Wingfoil World Cup were being run in tandem over a 12-day contest window. Although the proper conditions were sometimes fickle and anxiously awaited, both competitions could ultimately run and our riders answered the call.
Copa Kitley GKA Kite-Surf World Cup
Moona Whyte once again dominated this leg of the GKA Kite-Surf World Cup, charging through each heat with her effortless yet powerful flowing style, riding backside on the left-handers of this Saquarema break.
She took control of the competition straight out of the gate by scoring 12.50 in her first heat, which ultimately was the highest score of the day. Although the women enjoyed fantastic waves and wind in the first few heats, they faced tricky conditions and flukey breezes as the day wore on.
In the final against Capucine Delannoy, Moona was the one to better manage the faltering wind and elusive waves. She scored big on her first go thanks to her smooth and linked turns in the critical section of the wave, and ultimately clinched the win in Brazil.
Moona had already won the tour’s first stop in Cape Verde in March, and clearly showed again why she’s amongst the best kiteboards in the world.
Copa Kitley GWA Wingfoil World Cup
This Wingfoil World Cup leg in Brazil was the second stop of a slated three in the pure surfing world championship.
A few days after winning the Kite-Surf title, Moona Whyte got off to a strong start in this wing foil World Cup, winning her first heat in Saquarema and qualifying to the semi-final. The conditions quickly fizzled, and the competition was put on hold for several days before being moved to another spot on Day 9 in the hope of finding better wind and waves.
Finally with knee-to-waist high waves and 12 to 13 knots of wind, Moona’s semi-final could run, and she edged out her opponent by only 0.07 points to qualify to the final. The final was finally held on Day 11 and featured a perfect meter-high swell and 15 to 20 knots of wind. Moona left it all out on the water but had to settle for second place this time around after a challenging heat and having to go left. Fellow F-ONE team member Rocio Reigert placed fourth.
The men had to deal with the same struggles in terms of spots and conditions, with most of the heats running on the second to last day of the window. Hugo Marin wasn’t fazed one bit, having to wait nine days between his first and second heat. After putting out strong and steady performances Hugo was relentless in the mini-final, going for wave after wave to claim the third place overall.
Congratulations to Matt Maxwell for his performance in the GKA competition, as well as Rocio Regeirt, Mizo Novaes, Leon Schiel and Noé Cuyala on the GWA leg for ripping and leaving it all out on the waves.
