Jeep Tarifa Pro - Air Games action wrap
by Jim Gaunt 28 Jun 2018 10:41 BST
26 June - 1 July 2018
Posito Martinez from the Dominican Republic played an impressive and well-rounded first hand today © Toby Bromwich
The GKA Kiteboarding 'Air Games' World Tour saw its first ever rounds of competition run in the toughest conditions for both the judges and the riders - lighter winds!
However, the tour is off, running and already evolving...
The light Poniente wind was boosted by an afternoon thermal giving the Kiteboarding Air Games World Tour riders a chance to show what they could do in around 18 knots. Of course this is at the lower end of the wish for wind speed for this tour for big tricks, BUT we're looking for the most all round and complete twin-tip riders and what would a world tour be without a test!
A daily action video and full analysis are coming on the website tomorrow, including an interview with head judge Mallory de la Villemarque, but the highlights of today came from Jesse Richman with his super clean kite loop double half-cabs and Carlos Mario's kite loop 7s, which were undoubtedly the best tricks of the day.
Liam Whaley and David Tonijuan had impressively close attempts at kite loop front blind mobes, meanwhile Posito Martinez showed prowess in every category - at the moment the 'amplitude' factor is his as he commands the skies. Finally if it came down to a board-off contest, then Reno Romeu, Tom Hebert and Marius Hoppe were top of the class.
Day one of the Air Games have thrown up a multitude of talking points, but... this is only day one! If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. The journey continues tomorrow... with both the GKA Kite-Surf and Kiteboarding Air Games World Tours hopefully in action for both men and women!
www.global-kitesports.org