German Rising Star Finn Flügel Wins Hydrofoil Competition on Sylt
- Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Concludes with Official Awards Ceremony
- High-Class Competitions and Show Events Throughout the Week
- 100,000 Visitors at Brandenburger Beach
(Sylt) A successful week at the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt. Not only did the main competition offer breathtaking action on the water in recent days, but spectators were also treated to another highlight at Brandenburger Beach on Sunday. At the first-ever integrated Hydrofoil competition, the athletes flew well over 10 meters above the sea in moderate conditions, showing spectacular jumps and tricks. A familiar face from the Kite-Surf scene appeared at the open registration – 14-year-old Finn Flügel. Germany’s currently most successful kite-surfer didn’t want to miss out on the premiere competition on Sylt and sensationally secured the title. The current number 5 in the world freestyle rankings outshone Linus Erdmann and Theo Demanez in the final and can go home with a prize of €1,000. “It was mega fun! I’m sharing the prize money with my parents, who make it possible for me to be here,” said Finn Flügel. In the women’s competition, Camille Losserand from Switzerland triumphed, who was already able to finish second in the Kite-Surf competition.
The official awards ceremony with the athletes and all those involved was also on the program on Sunday. To the applause of the numerous visitors present, the respective top three entered the beach stage and the associated podium. At the only stop in Germany on the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour, the riders are competing for a total prize money of €30,000.
In the women’s competition, 17-year-old Capucine Delannoy had already defended her title under extremely difficult conditions on Wednesday. After her victory at the world’s largest Kite-Surf event, the Frenchwoman said: “It’s been a while since I felt so good on the water. The last few months have been very challenging, but I’ve worked hard to come back here like this. It’s the best feeling ever to win here!” The now leader of the world rankings prevailed against compatriot Zoe Bazile (third place) and Camille Losserand from Switzerland (second place). The German starters Sonja Bunte and Susanne Schwarztrauber reached the quarter-finals of the event.
In the men’s competition, surprise winner Kiko was honored on the top podium spot today. The 22-year-old Spaniard sensationally prevailed in his very first final against top favorite Airton Cozzolino, who is also considered a personal and sporting role model for the young kite-surfer from Tarifa. “I am overjoyed and it is a dream to win here on Sylt,” said Kiko Roig Torres after his first title. His opponent wholeheartedly congratulated him on the victory and moved to the top of the world rankings with his second place. The previous number 1 in the world, Matchu Lopes, dropped out of the competition early, losing in the heat against the German up-and-comer Keanu Merten. The 18-year-old Merten, who slipped into the World Cup via a wildcard from the organizer, showed an absolute world-class performance throughout the entire competition. The kite-surfer, who was born in Saarbrücken, not only knocked the currently most successful rider of the season, Matchu Lopes, out of the competition, but also offered Cozzolino a high-class duel in the semi-final. After narrowly losing there, he was able to prevail against the Frenchman Theo Demanez in the small final and drive onto the podium for the first time. “I coped well with the difficult conditions from the start and I’m super happy with the third place here in front of a home crowd,” said Keanu Merten.
Although the eight-time German champion Linus Erdmann didn’t have an optimal day and dropped out of the competition early, the 26-year-old secured the premiere victory in the newly initiated E-Foil Race. On the special surfboards, which are powered by electric motors, over 20 professionals competed for the first E-Foil title as part of the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt on the windless Thursday and Friday.
Spectacular tricks, dizzying jumps and pure dynamics, therefore, not only in strapless freestyle kite-surfing, but also in both novel show events in hydrofoil and E-Foil.
Approximately 100,000 spectators came to Brandenburger Beach over the week to experience world-class sport and the great variety of stands, pop-up stores and a wide range of gastronomic offers on the 500-meter long promenade.
All partners, the GKA and the organizer were extremely satisfied with the event week on Sylt. Title partner Defender, who offered a wide range of special activities over all days, drew a very positive conclusion: “It’s great to see how the audience on Sylt is cheering along. The athletes are extremely approachable here and inspire visitors for this fantastic sport. For us as an authentic brand, the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt is a great platform,” said Christian Uhrig, Senior Manager Retail Marketing Germany & Europe Jaguar Land Rover.
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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.