Pimp Yo Kite - The Kiteboarder Magazine

Cabrinha Race Series Wrap Up
By Steve Gunn
August and September saw Anthony Chavez continue
to dominate the racing, even after experiencing a
second place finish in the finale on September 14. Maui
groms Shawn and Jesse Richman flew in to challenge
Anthony, with younger brother Jessie (Cabrinha) capturing
the victory. Geoff Headington (Slingshot) and Nils
Stolzlechner (Naish) continued their series battle for
second and third overall with Jeff Kafka (Cabrinha) proving
to be the racer to beat in the points race.
Ronstan Bridge 2 Bridge
By Steve Gunn
This year’s Bridge 2 Bridge event settled the debate
of who can go downwind the fastest – at least on this
day. Jeff Kafka, from Pacifica, California, dominated
the field of 40 kiters, windsurfers, and skiffs in the 8th
annual Ronstan event. The race started at the scenic
Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and finished at
the Bay Bridge, over five miles downwind. Although the
winds were a bit light, Kafka won by one of the largest
margins in race history.
2006 Superkite Brazil –
PKRA World Cup Final
By Paul Caswell
The 2006 PKRA season ended in Brazil with an
event full of upsets. Ruben Lenten, freshly recovered
from an ankle injury, suffered a knee injury and was
knocked out of the competition early. Because of the
light conditions, it was decided that some heats would
be re-run, which led to a few changes in the standings.
Aaron Hadlow was knocked out of the competition
by Rui Meira, who would go on to win both the
freestyle and boardercross events.
Despite the fact that neither one of them finished
on the podium in the final PKRA event of the year,
both Aaron Hadlow and Kristin Boese held on to their
World Champion titles from 2005. With all of the up
and coming riders showing up at competitions these
days, it will be very interesting to see how the veterans
fair next year!
Bridge of the Gods
Kiteboarding Festival
By Gary Reed
After a sweltering hot day of sitting in the sun
waiting for wind, the Slingshot Bridge of the Gods
Kiteboarding Festival went off with a bang this summer.
In the Juniors, Reed Brady from Floras Lake took
first in the Best Trick, and continued to hold the slight
edge winning the Biggest Air and Kite Loop comp,
with up and comer Eddie Hall pulling a close second.
Laura Maher, Karen Bureker, and Shannon Gormley
all threw huge aerials to the crowds delight in the
Women’s Division. Staying consistent throughout the
competition, Laura placed first, Karen second, and
rising star Shannon came in a close third.
The Masters Division was ruled by summer local
Tony Bolstad who had to get out his driver’s license to
prove his age after his riding display. Dylan Thompson
displayed some insane kiteloops and handlepasses,
Competitions
Dozens of kites paint the bay area skyline.
Lens: Emily Ruoss
Bridge 2 Bridge Jeff Kafka warms up after the race.
Lens: Steve Gunn
The scene at the final PKRA event of the year in
Brazil. Lens: Robert Foresti/Canon
The Bridge of the Gods crew. Lens: Jon Malmberg
winning Best Trick in Men’s. The Big Air comp was
won by locals Brad Whiting (1), Ben Chambers (2),
and Jimmy ‘Yoga Man’ Hunt (3). The Expression
Session and Kite Loop comp threw out 40+ riders battling
to show their best. Huge kite loops gained Brian
Wheeler, Ben Chambers, and Josh Solbach the top
three positions in the category.
RESULTS:
KING OF THE GREAT LAKES
Men’s Freestyle
1. Damien Leroy (Cabrinha)
2. Jon Modica (Cabrinha)
3. Sam Medysky (Naish)
Women’s Freestyle
1. Wendy Palmer (Agression)
2. Sara Milan
3. Lisa Moss (Mackite)
Top Gun
1. Stephen Shank (Aggression)
2. Kevin Steen (Cabrinha)
3. Dave Clark
PKRA BRAZIL
Men’s Freestyle Final
1. Rui Meira (Naish, Portugal)
2. Cesar Portas (North, Spain)
3. Petr Tyushkevich (Cabrinha,
Russia)
4. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, Netherelands)
Women’s Freestyle Final
1. Bruna Kajiya (Best, Brazil)
2. Angela Peral (North, Spain)
3. Jo Wilson (Naish, UK)
4. Ania Grzelinska (North,
Poland)
Men’s Boardercross Final
1. Rui Meira (Naish, Portugal)
2. Kevin Langeree (Naish,
Netherlands)
3. Bjorn Viane (Flexifoil, Belgium)
4. Damien Leroy (Cabrinha,
USA)
Women’s Boardercross Final
1. Clarissa Hempel (Cabrinha,
Brazil)
2. Jalou Langeree (Naish, Netherlands)
3. Jo Wilson (Naish, UK)
4. Gabi Steindl (North, Austria)
5. Angela Peral (North, Spain)
PKRA Final Standings:
Men:
1. Aaron Hadlow
2. Kevin Langeree
3. Youri Zoon
Women:
1. Kristin Boese
2. Ania Grzelinska
3. Bruna Kajiya