Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt Officially Opens
The world’s largest Kite-Surf event kicked off on Tuesday with a spirited opening ceremony at Brandenburger Beach. Watched by Dr. Frederik Hogrefe (State Secretary in the Ministry for Interior, Municipal Affairs, Housing and Sport), Tom Hartmann (GKA Tour Manager), Christian Okon (Organizer MMP Event), and many hundreds of spectators, nearly 50 top athletes marched in with their national flags to great applause. The German team, with seven riders who aim to make a splash in all competitions, were especially celebrated, of course.
European Championship in Hydrofoil Big Air Gets Off to a Spectacular Start
The Hydrofoil Big Air competition, taking place for the first time, was able to celebrate its premiere even before the opening ceremony and got off to a successful start with the first heats. With good wind conditions around 20 knots – and plenty of sunshine for the numerous visitors – the athletes showed spectacular tricks and jumps up to 20 meters high. Four riders were already able to fight their way into the semi-finals. The two German hopes, Finn Flügel (U-16 World Champion) and Linus Erdmann, are promisingly in the fourth round and can secure their place in the semi-finals tomorrow morning. “Sylt is one of my home spots, so I definitely have a home advantage,” said 15-year-old Finn Flügel before his heat.
After the wind subsided somewhat in the afternoon, the competition was ended for today, Tuesday. According to the current schedule, Hydrofoil Big Air will continue tomorrow morning, and the Kite-Surfing discipline could start the first rounds as early as tomorrow afternoon.
Reigning World Champions and Previous Year’s Winners at the Start
The men’s field is led by the current number one, Airton Cozzolino from Italy. After his victory in Cape Verde, the reigning world champion is also one of the absolute top favorites on the North Sea island. Close on his heels will be none other than the two-time world champion from Australia, James Carew (2021 & 2022), the Spanish world champion from 2016, Matchu Lopes, and the defending champion Kiko Roig (also Spain).
The German top riders Alex Middeler and Keanu Merten are also ready to compete with the best in the world. Especially Keanu Merten, who sensationally finished third on Sylt last year, has set his sights high. “My goal is definitely the podium again,” said the highly motivated 19-year-old about the upcoming competition.
In the women’s competition, the field is led by shooting star Capucine Delannoy. The 17-year-old Frenchwoman is not only the reigning world champion, but also a two-time defending champion on Sylt. She will be challenged by, among others, Camille Losserand (Switzerland) and Charlotte Carpentier (France). Both were able to impress with their performance last year and will try to wrest the title from Delannoy. Two German riders, Sonja Bunte and Susanne Schwarztrauber, will also be at the start from tomorrow.
About the Event
The Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt 2024 promises a week full of adrenaline and action on Sylt. It is the only stop of the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour in Germany, driven in the disciplines Kite-Surf and Hydrofoil Big Air. Many exciting duels are guaranteed. The competitions are planned daily from August 20 to 25 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and will be scheduled at short notice depending on the weather. For the public, a visit to the Brandenburger Stand is definitely worthwhile throughout the day. You are always close to the athletes, who also give interviews during the competition breaks, sign autographs or show their skills on the water during spontaneous training sessions. In addition, numerous stands, pop-up stores and a wide range of gastronomic offers attract visitors on around 500 meters. Admission to the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup is free on all days.
Photo Credit: “Felix Diemer”
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In the end, there was no way around the top favorite at the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt. The 17-year-old Frenchwoman Capucine Delannoy defended her title on the North Sea island and won on Brandenburger Strand in Westerland.
Simply unbeatable on Sylt - Capucine Delannoy is and remains the queen of the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt. The 18-year-old Frenchwoman beat Switzerland's Camille Losserand in a high-class final and secured her third title in a row after 2021 and 2023 (the event did not take place in 2022). "It was just perfect, I scored the perfect 10.0. I've been training for months for this event and this moment and I'm so happy," said the overwhelmed winner directly after the final run on Brandenburg Beach.
The biggest kite surfing event in the world is also in full swing - the riders in the supreme discipline of kite surfing got down to business on Thursday. After the first heats were completed on Wednesday afternoon, the women and men have been battling it out in alternating rounds for the coveted places in the quarter and semi-finals since the morning hours.
Exactly one year ago, I had an operation and everyone told me that I wouldn't be here today. Just being here was a win for me. Now I have the World Cup title on Sylt, dreams do come true," said the newly crowned champion James Carew after the grand final.
It's all set for the Defender GKA Kite-SurfWorld Cup on Sylt! For the 3rd time, the Qatar Airways GKA KiteWorld Tour will be stopping off at Brandenburger Strand in Westerland, with the world's best kite surf riders in tow.
The premiere of the Hydrofoil Big Air competition has a beaming winner - Charles Brodel from France, five-time serial world champion, beat his opponents by a clear margin to not only win the World Cup on Sylt, but also secure the European title in this spectacular kite discipline.
The Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt is returning and once again promises exciting competitions and spectacular action on Westerland's Brandenburger Strand. From August 20 to August 25, 2024, the best kite surfers in the world will compete for the coveted title. In addition to the kite surfing discipline (wave and strapless freestyle), hydrofoil champions will also be crowned for the first time - including the European Championship title.
Successful week at the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt. Not only the main competition offered breathtaking action on the water over the past few days, spectators were also able to enjoy another highlight on Brandenburg beach this Sunday. In the hydrofoil competition, which was integrated for the first time, the athletes flew far more than 10 meters above the sea in moderate conditions and performed spectacular jumps and tricks.
The finals of the newly initiated E-Foil Race competition were on the program for the pros on Friday. After the heats had already been held on Thursday, Friday was all about the very first title in the new discipline as part of the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt.
First ever final on the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour and the title at the biggest kite surfing event in the world! 22-year-old Kiko Roig Torres from Spain surprisingly secures victory at the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt. - 18-year-old German Keanu Merten rides to a sensational third place with a wild card.
50 athletes from 16 nations at the start - Seven German riders compete for the titles - Atmospheric opening ceremony on Brandenburg beach - Varied supporting program and free admission on all days.
Mark your calendar in red: the island of Sylt is finally attracting the world's best windsurfers and kite surfers to Westerland again this year. From August 22nd, the absolute world elite will meet for six days at the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt on Brandenburg Beach.
For the third time after 2019 and 2021, water sports fans can look forward to the biggest kite sports event in the world on Sylt. From August 22 to 27, the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup will take place on Germany's largest North Sea island and the starting field is more than impressive.
Land Rover Kitesurf World Cup Sylt ends with official award ceremonySpectacular competitions, fantastic conditions and great media interest at the only stop of the GKA World Tour in Germany.
At the Land Rover Kitesurf World Cup Sylt, the best kitesurfers in the world had their first break on Friday. The wind was too weak to hold another super session. The athletes were not idle, however, and were busy signing autographs on Brandenburg Beach.
After the spectacular and exciting strapless freestyle and wave competitions, the action at the Land Rover Kitesurf World Cup Sylt continued on Thursday. For the kitesurfing artists, the best trick super session was on the agenda, in which only the best aerial maneuver was counted.
We are very happy about the large starter field at the Land Rover Kitesurf World Cup on Sylt! Today we received the final list from the GKA. 16 women and 30 men from 16 countries are seeded for the World Cup. There is even a waiting list for the men. So we can expect kitesurfing of the highest perfection from the best kitesurfers in the world.
A competition for high-flyers. On the third day of the event, the kiters once again showed what they are capable of in a super session.
The competitions at the Land Rover Kitesurf World Cup have been decided after two exciting days in the best wind and wave conditions.
James Carew won the Land Rover Kitesurf World Cup Sylt on Wednesday. The Australian beat Brazil's Pedro Matos in a high-class final and fulfilled his dream of winning on Sylt after coming second in 2019.
Two and a half meter high waves and up to eight wind forces - at the start of the Land Rover Kitesurf World Cup Sylt on Tuesday, perfect conditions prevailed for the discipline of kite surfing, in which strapless freestyle and wave are held.