World-Class Field of Competitors at the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt
- Kite-Surf Elite Comes to the North Sea Island from August 22nd to 27th
- Reigning World Champion, Capucine Delannoy, Leads Women’s Competition
- Current Men’s Number 1, Matchu Lopes, to Compete
- Germany’s Greatest Young Talent, Keanu Merten, and Seven Other Germans Participating
- Varied Supporting Program and Free Admission on All Days
- Title Partner Defender Offers Unique Experiences in August on Sylt
(Sylt) For the third time after 2019 and 2021, water sports fans on Sylt can look forward to the largest kite sports event in the world. From August 22nd to 27th, the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup will take place on Germany’s largest North Sea island, and the field of competitors is more than impressive. The world elite of kite-surf sports will showcase their repertoire of spectacular tricks and breathtaking maneuvers in the waves and in the sky above Westerland. The top favorite among the women is the reigning world champion Capucine Delannoy. The 17-year-old Frenchwoman already won on Sylt in 2021 and will do everything in her power to defend her title. Her biggest competitors are the two Brazilians Kesiane Rodriquez and Bruna Kajiya, as well as Camille Losserand (Switzerland) and Charlotte Carpentier (France). Three other competitors could take advantage of their home advantage: Sonja Bunte (Hamburg), Susanne Schwarztrauber (Wijk ann Zee), and Ronja Gerhard are the three German starters.
“It’s great that the World Cup is taking place on Sylt again this year. A tour stop in your own country is always something special: not only to start at your home spot, but also to be able to welcome the other participants in your own country. The support from the spectators here is simply fantastic. The personal contact with fans is totally captivating and motivating. I finished fifth in 2021 and I have set myself some goals again this year,” says Sonja Bunte, who is currently in a shared ninth place in the international ranking.
Among the men, the current number 1 in the Kite-Surf ranking and 2016 world champion Matchu Lopes (Spain) leads the field. Pedro Matos (Brazil) and Reece Myerscough (Canada) follow. Junior World Champion Hendrick Lopes (Chile) and three-time world champion Airton Cozzolino (Italy) will also demonstrate their skills in the “Kite-Surf” discipline at the only stop of the Global Kitesports Association (GKA) in Germany.
Particularly exciting for German fans: the exceptional German talent, Keanu Merten, will also be at the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt. The Junior World Champion and GKA Rookie of the year 2021 finished ninth at the last event on Sylt and has set himself high goals for this year. “I wish for a lot of wind on Sylt so that Freestyle is also included in the scoring and I can annoy the top favorites a little,” says Keanu Merten, who was born in Saarbrücken but has lived in Spain for some time. “I’m looking forward to the North Sea! The conditions there are like in winter for us. The many German spectators gave me an extra boost during my last appearance, and I hope for that again this year,” says the 18-year-old.
In addition to Merten, the German starters Linus Erdmann (Hamburg) and Alex Middeler (Lübeck) are also qualified. In addition, Daniel Weber (Wijk aan Zee) and Lance Krüger (Stuttgart/Sylt) each receive a wildcard for the event.
Sylt can look forward to a kite sports event of the highest class. Many exciting duels are guaranteed. The competitions are scheduled daily from August 22nd to 27th between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and will be scheduled at short notice depending on the weather. A visit to the Brandenburger Stand is worthwhile for the public throughout the day. You are always up close to the athletes, who also give interviews, 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 catering options attract visitors to the approximately 500-meter area. Admission to the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup is free on all days.
Title Partner Defender Offers Unique Activities and Experiences in August on Sylt
Since the beginning of August, the title partner of the event has been inspiring with an exclusive range of experiences on Germany’s largest North Sea island. “For the Defender Experience Sylt, we have selected the most interesting places on the island and the most exciting activities. Our Defender models bring participants safely and comfortably to the most remote corners and back to the Defender Basecamp in Kampen, where modern luxury comes to life,” says Jan-Kas van der Stelt, Managing Director JLR Germany.
From August 4th to 27th, Defender has set up its basecamp in the trendy Buhne16 beach restaurant in Kampen; Defender can be used to discover the entire island at seven other locations. Gazing at the starry sky on the Morsumer cliffs, thrilling kite workshops at the Sylter Ellenbogen with Linus Erdmann (kitesurf professional and multiple German kitesurfing champion), mudflat hiking with the experienced national park mudflat guide Jan Krüger, and the atmospheric Ocean Cinema directly at the Buhne16 are just some of the many unique activities. Registrations are free of charge via the specially set up website (https://www.defender-sylt.de/). As an additional highlight of the Defender Experience Sylt, the Defender 90 Marine Blue Edition, limited to 25 units, will celebrate its premiere on site.
Further information about the Defender GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Sylt at:
www.kitesurfworldcup.de
Photo note: The attached photos can be used free of charge for editorial purposes. Credits: “Lukas Stiller” / “ACT AGENCY”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.