Day One in Saquarema delivers epic action & Moona Whyte triumphs

Report from Day One – Saquarema, Brazil

Photo: Svetlana Romantsova

The Copa Kitley GKA Kite-Surf World Cup opened with great wave and wind conditions in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro
The Women’s elimination was completed with the US’s Moona Whyte taking her second successive wave title
On the men’s side, we reached Men’s Round 2 Heat Two
Kite-Surf Men’s division are on hold while the focus switches to wingfoiling

Day One of the highly anticipated Copa Kitley GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Brazil exceeded all expectations as athletes were greeted by exceptional wind and wave conditions. The fierce contest saw the first wave of male contestants, 28-strong, take on the waters in the opening heats, with wind speeds ranging from 15 to 17 knots and a 1.3-meter swell, generating head-high surf. However, it was the women who truly stole the show on this first day of competition.

A compact fleet of seven talented women showcased their skills and determination, vying for glory and leaving no room for doubt about their abilities as they powered through the heats. The mesmerizing backdrop of Saquarema, previously the host to the prestigious World Surf League, only added to the excitement of the event.

Amongst the remarkable competitors, four women – Moona Whyte, Cappucine Delannoy, Milla Ferreira, and Camille Losserand – stood out, displaying unwavering strength and grace even in the face of challenging and fluky cross offshore conditions.

The final showdown boiled down to the two fierce competitors: the seasoned veteran, Moona Whyte, and the reigning Qatar Airways GKA Kite-Surf World Champion, the impressive 17-year-old Capucine Delannoy from France.

In a thrilling final, Hawaii-based Moona Whyte once again proved her prowess by defeating the young champion, replicating their clash in the first tour stop in Cape Verde back in March. With two triumphs in the five scheduled tour stops, Whyte is getting closer to the world title, leaving spectators eager to see what happens in the next three stops of the season.