Moona Whyte, the reigning Kite-Surf world champion, started off her season in a stellar fashion at this first stop of the 2024 GKA Kite-Surf Kite World Tour in Cape Verde after recording a perfect 20.00 total to clinch the win.
Moona charged through each of her heats on the iconic spot of Ponta Preta, but was truly lights out in the final. Fearlessly taking on the huge head-high bombs and tricky offshore breeze, Moona was flawless and scored two perfect 10.0s on her closing waves.
“I really can’t believe those scores, I’m gonna have to watch that back,” she said. “It was amazing out there. We had so many good waves, it was really clean, the wind was strong… The waves couldn’t get better than that, it was so much fun. I’m really stoked to win the first event of the season.”
Just like last year, Mitu Monteiro couldn’t be a simple spectator of this amazing competition on his home spot. As he said, “We have a party at home, so why not be a part of it?”
Mitu, who only competes in this Cape Verde stop, repeated his second-place finish from 2023, taking advantage of the best swells delivered in days on Ponta Preta. He successfully made his way back to the podium, and was only beaten by fellow Cape Verdean, friend and rival, Airton Cozzolino.
“I’m so stoked with my second place,” he said. “It was a lot of fun, and to have this final with Airton was really nice. All the people on the beach were screaming. There’s a lot of emotion going on. My mum was here, it’s the first time she’s watched me competing. It’s one of the best events I’ve had. And you know, I’m 41, but these guys need to be careful, I’m going to be there!”
The next stop of the tour will be held in Sylt, Germany, in August. Stay tuned as Moona continues her quest to her fifth World title in the kite-surf discipline.
