Moona Whyte wins GKA Tour Stop in Portugal

Moona wins GKA wave event in Portugal, Keahi takes third place

 

Huge congratulations to Moona Whyte for taking the win in Viana do Castelo, Portugal at the Global Kitesports Association's wave event. Keahi de Aboitiz managed to finish 3rd in an incredible one day event.

After five long days during which the riders of the Kitesurf World Tour just could not catch a break when it came to the wind, on the final day of the event window, their prayers were answered. The El Nortada winds arrived and the comp was on.

The day began with a light northerly and very minimal swell so the decision was made to focus on 100% strapless freestyle with the women’s single eliminations kicking off first. Moona's focus is wave riding but she has been training her strapless freestyle and it showed during the competition.

In fact, Moona and Jalou Langeree’s strapless freestyle ability is now so improved that they booked their fourth final heat of the season against one another in the single eliminations with Moona taking the win which put her in a strong position ahead of the doubles.

With an entire event full of heats to get through (and one day in which to do it) it was then straight into the men’s division with the riders competing in eight minute heats, again with a 100% focus on strapless freestyle.

From round three the men’s field began to thin out and, by the time the semi-finals came around, it was down to just four of the tour’s heavyweights – Keahi, Mitu, Matchu and Airton. Anyone of them is capable of winning a final, so this was going to be tough.

Keahi took third after a very tight heat against Mitu and, while Mitu had been going big all day, Keahi’s smooth, methodical approach allowed him to rack up the points ahead of Mitu to clinch the win.

Keahi will no doubt have been disappointed not to have had the chance to take on Airton or Matchu in the main final but he still retains his second place position overall, so we can expect him to come charging out of the gates when the tour touches down in Tarifa end of June.

PHOTOS: YDWER

Moona's Set up: Cabrinha S:Quad and Drifter

Keahi's Set up: Cabrinha Spade and Drifter