Theo takes the kitesurfing top spot at the GKA World Tour in Germany

The fifth day of the GKA Kite World Cup Sylt began before sunrise, with riders summoned to a 6 a.m. briefing in the hope of making the most of the early wind and push through the mens Kite-Surf competition. Ten-minute heats, seven trick attempts, and only the best three scores counting towards the total – the format was as demanding as the North Sea conditions. Judges placed their emphasis squarely on surfboard freestyle, rewarding style, execution, and variety.

Long term Cabrinha athlete Theo Demanez, a rider determined to make his mark had progressed through the earlier rounds arriving to the knock out Semi Finals against Leonardo Casati.  With his Switchblade 10 powering him through the lightish winds, Theo displayed a rare combination of flair, style and composure.  Theo's consistency and sharp execution ensured his progression to a maiden GKA final.

"For most of the competition I was on my 10m Switchblade, even in light winds it delivered all the power I needed while staying super responsive.  I think this really helped me against the riders who were using much bigger & slower kites to ride.  As the waves built up going into the final, I switched to my 11m Drifter to adapt to the wave format. That combination gave me the confidence to push through every heat & stay consistent" - Theo Demanez

The climax came against Gabriel Benetton. Demanez started with intent, landing two clean tricks to seize the early lead, his Drifter giving him both the lift and drift to make the most of the waves. Benetton searched tirelessly for waves to boost his score, but the ocean offered little rhythm. Demanez, by contrast, made every chance count, reading the conditions with confidence.

As the clock ticked down, the heat remained wide open. Both riders hunted desperately for one last scoring opportunity, but it was Demanez who found the decisive wave. Linking it with his earlier tricks, he built the advantage he needed. Benetton pressed until the final seconds, but the gap proved unbridgeable.

When the horn sounded, Theo Demanez had secured his first-ever GKA event victory!

"Theo has been part of the Cabrinha family for years, and watching him grow into both an athlete and a leader has been a privilege. He’s proof of something we believe in wholeheartedly: at Cabrinha, it’s your character that counts. Skill will get you far, but character is what inspires, unites, and leaves a legacy." - Jon Modica - Chairman, Waterbound Investments / Cabrinha