Back on the Podium
Cape Verde is not only home to some of the best kiteable and wingable waves on the planet, it’s also a location that has allowed the Cabrinha Team to shine in the past.
This year saw an all new addition to the historical Kite wave event, with the introduction of the GWA Wave series.
In presence at the events were a full roster of Cabrinha riders including, Lorenzo Casati, Charly Martin, Titouan Galea, Moona Whyte and Elena Moreno. The conditions were firing throughout the event, and all the team delivered outstanding performances on the challenging break of Ponta Preta.
*Charly Martin a regular on the GKA Wave world tour from Reunion Island, showed he was just as at home on the famous Ponta Preta rights as his world class left hand breaks at home, working his way through heats till he came up against the event winner and local Matchu Lopes.
*Elena Moreno marked her place on the map with a 4th place finish in her first GWA wave Event.
Known for his King of the Air title, and insane ability to defy gravity, Lorenzo received a wild card entry in the GKA wave event and worked his way through some challenging heats loaded with wave tour stand outs. Talking about his experience:
“Just got back from Cape Verde Ponta Preta in which i had my first experience in the GKA wave event. I made 5 rounds with all the best wave riders in the world, with my Drifter, Phantom 5,6 for big waves and Method 5.0 when waves got smaller.
I can’t wait for the next event, and to also go back to Cape Verde next year.”
*Lorenzo Casati traded his twin tip for a surfboard and charged through the line up.
Taking the limelight after 4 years away from competition was Moona Whyte from Hawaii. Not only did Moona remind the world just how good she is at kiting by getting right back on top of the podium, she also took the top position in the first ever GWA Wingfoil Wave event.
‘I’m so stoked to win both the kitesurf and wingfoil events here in Cabo verde! I had not competed since 2019 so I didn’t know what to expect but it was nice to start off with a pure wave riding stop at this world class wave Ponta Preta. The waves were firing during both events so it was a lot of fun just to be in a heat out there and everyone put on a good show.’
*Moona Whyte back on top of the podium.
Wrapping up the epic run of events was a win by Titouan Galea in the Wingfoil Super session mixing up world class wave riding and aerial tricks, giving Cabrinha another top podium place:
‘I was really excited to take part of the first ever pure wave Wingfoiling event; the sport needed some pure wave events like this one, we all had fun before and during the event with some of the insane conditions this place has to offer 🌊. Winning the super session today really motivates me to come back next year 🙂. For now I am gonna enjoy a few more days here with a few more swells coming this week.’
*Titouan Galea’s smooth style was fully on display during the Super Session.
Huge congrats to all the riders out there competing, we can’t wait to see them all at the next wave event.
📸 @lukas_k_stiller
