The Final Showdown in Fehmarn for the Air Games Starts this Week
This weekend will see the final fixture of the 2018 GKA Kiteboarding World Tour kick off at the Kitesurf World Cup in Fehmarn - one of Germany’s most popular kiting destinations that’s played host to some legendary kiteboarding World Tour events over the years.
After a stunning third GKA Kiteboarding World Tour 'Air Games' event in Cabarete last month, where Carlos Mario topped the men’s division podium for the first time this season, Jesse Richman still holds the overall lead but there’s only 33 points between him and the young Brazilian freestyle phenomenon who was near-faultless in both the single and double elimination finals. If either of these two win this final event in Fehmarn, the 2018 World Title will be theirs, so it's going to be a tense event for them both!
Jesse’s been ultra-strong at the last two events in Tarifa and Cabarete, and the mixture of big air and technical freestyle that this tour demands of the riders certainly suits his riding style. However, a summer event in Europe could potentially spell a mix of strong and light winds and Jesse himself will tell you that ‘Bebe’ can really pull ahead in lighter conditions, so it’s going to be tight if they meet in the final!
Posito Martinez, who’s 99 points behind Carlos in third after a strong event at home in Cabarete, would also have a shot at the title if Carlos was to finish fourth or lower and if Jesse was to only get as far as sixth place in Fehmarn.
There are other riders with potential routes to a podium finish as well. Maxime Delmas has been very consistent this season to retain fourth overall, with Nicolas Delmas - another heavy hitting wakestyler in fifth.
In the women’s division, Mikaili Sol, Hannah Whiteley and Pippa Van Iersel have all been unshakable in first, second and third respectively and Mikaili and Hannah have met in three final heats so far with Mika taking the win each time.
However, with Hannah holding such a tight grip on second, there are now only 66 points between her and first place, so she could still clinch the title at the last minute if Mika was to finish third or lower.
There’s no clear indication that that’ll happen though. Mika’s been very consistent this season and the five time Junior World Champion has proven that she can perform under pressure too, but still just 13 years-old, she doesn’t have Hannah’s experience on a full scale professional freestyle tour, so an overall victory for her in the women’s division is far from a done deal just yet!
So it’s all still to play for in Fehmarn and neither of our current tour leaders is going to have an easy run at securing their World Titles!
OFF THE WATER
Besides the intense finale to the season that'll be going down on the water, the Mercedes Benz Kitesurf World Cup has a huge amount of off-water action to check out as well, including the industry's biggest trade show. At the event site itself there are nightly parties and it's also a great opportunity to feast your eyes on the latest 2019 kite gear hitting the market.
The event also doubles as one of the biggest dedicated test events in Europe, so you can watch the pros shredding and then try out the gear they ride yourself!
CURRENT TOP FIVES
MEN
1: Jesse Richman (USA) – 4167 pts
2: Carlos Mario (BRA) – 4134 pts
3: Posito Martinez (DOM) – 4035 pts
4: Maxime Chabloz (SWI) – 3903 pts
5: Nicolas Delmas (FRA) – 3870 pts
WOMEN
1: Mikaili Sol (BRA) – 4200 pts
2: Hannah Whitely (UK) – 4134 pts
3: Pippa van Iersel (NL) – 4068 pts
4: Pauline Valesa (FRA) – 3969 pts
5: Osaia Reding Commaille (FRA) – 3936 pts