Cabarete Kiteboarding Worldcup 2003

PKRA/CABARETE FREESTYLE SINGLE ELIMINATION FINALS AND DOUBLES START IN CHALLENGING WINDS!

(June 27, 2003-Cabarete, Dominican Republic)- Starting off at 2pm with the re-run of heat #15B, Vari ARG versus Doyle USA, set the tone and standard for the rest of the Freestyle action today at the PKRA Cabarete Kiteboarding World Cup. Both guys immediately nailed handle-passes highly powered in the then 20-knot winds. Rested and fresh, Vari secured his advance into the Men ’s Semifinals.

Men’s Singles Finish:
Moving on to the Singles Semifinals heats, Andre Phillip ANT managed to sweep past Christian Brouwer NED awaiting his chance at getting a notable finish in the Singles. Then, Aaron Hadlow UK gave an impressive performance against Martin Vari ARG, but was denied a win as the more experienced Vari warmed up and threw out technical handle pass variations and stylish maneuvers. But, Hadlow had his day as he affirmed a Third Place finish over Brouwer in the Finals heat for 3rd and 4th Place.

In the Finals heat for 1st and 2nd place, Phillip and Vari started off the heat with a synchronous huge ‘deadman’, wowing the crowds. Immediately after, both men positioned himself for field advantage, in order to make room for massive technical assaults, requiring lots of space for the incredible hang-time needed to complete the moves! In the end, it was Vari, this years wonder boy, overheard called ‘Martian’, for his ‘out of this world’ talent.

Women’s Singles Finish:

In the Women’s Singles Semifinals, 19 year-old Susanne Mai DR proved she can ride like the Pro’s, and sealed herself an entry into the Finals after defeating 2nd World ranked rider Ingrid Kollbichler AUT. Then, Rebecca Wolthers USA tried her hand at taking down the undefeated Cindy Mosey NZL, yet it was to no avail, as Mosey rose to the occasion and stopped Wolthers.

Moving forward to the Women’s Singles Finals, Kollbichler would not accept less than 3rd Place, leaving Wolthers in 4th. The heat for 1st and 2nd had many wondering if the hot new talent, Mai would represent and bring the DR the glory that it hungered for-but she was denied, yet was stoked with her 2nd Place standing in her first Pro event! Meanwhile, Mosey has yet to be beat since her reign began in 2002!

Men’s Doubles Start:

The start of the Freestyle Doubles got underway immediately following the Singles’ completion. Starting with the first, second and start into the third rounds of the Men’s ladder, De Leon Paulino DR , Malik Bouchenafa ALG, Arnaud Murcia FRA, Sky Solbach USA, Mark Shinn UK, Jeremie Eloy FRA, Jose Sanchez ESP and Alvaro Oneiva ESP, all advanced from round one.

In round two, Tyburski USA stopped Paulino, Bouchenafa took down Aragno ESP, Carneiro held on and held back Murcia’s advance. Will James USA also denied Solbach. Mark Shinn displaced Koch USA, while Eloy replaced Ciriaco DR. Kellner UK held back Sanchez, and Lago ESP said ‘no way’ to compatriot Oneiva.

Finishing the first heat of round three, Bouchenafa ALG staked claim over Tyburski USA, and James USA defeated Carneiros BRA. The second heat starting off the men for tomorrow will have:

Mark Shinn UK versus Jeremie Eloy FRA
Steve Kellner UK versus Abel Lago ESP

Women’s Doubles Start:
The first round of the Women’s Doubles comfortably advanced some of the seasoned Tour riders, like Kristin Boese GER, Julie Prochaska-Gilbert USA, and Fabienne D’Ortoli FRA. Newcomer Sandrine Maunier FRA advanced over Eastman DR. The 2nd round of the Women’s ladder will continue tomorrow with:

Boese GER versus Petra Goeschl NED
Prochaska-Gilbert versus Daphnee Laliberte CAN
D’Ortoli FRA versus Andrea Wharry UK
Maunier FRA versus Claire Bunton UK

Scheduled for tomorrow, a skippers meeting at noon, with a possible start into the finish of the Freestyle Doubles competition, at 1pm.