KTE News:

In the face of the upcoming olympic discipline - the 3rd leg of the MINI Kitesurf Tour Europe at Brouwersdam (Holland) was an inspired and cramed event of Course Racing action

Riccardo Leccese (COL) and Stephanie Bridge (UK) obtained the dutch event titles in Course Racings



Arriving for the first time in Holland, the MINI Kitesurf Tour Europe and its competitors passed by the dune landscape of Brouwersdam for a four days actionful event happening - the Kitegatta 2012. An amazing count of 101 total competitors in Freestyle and Race represented 15 countries. The best riders in Europe planed to create another great show on the water to showcase fastest speeds and tricky maneuvers, providing onlookers and participants with ultimate performances.

According to the wind forecast, light wind was announced for the majority event. Racing participants made sure that their gear was properly registered, while freestyle riders could be seen broadcasted throughout the event site, catching up with friends and enjoying the warm and sunny days. Riders and fans, discussed the new movie « Hidden Lines » by Kevin Langeree and Youri Zoon. During the whole event, wind conditions were too light for any freestyle action, but still good enough for racings.

With positive energy, just close after the Olympic Summer Games in London, all racers were motivated and full of power to show perfect kitesurfing skills and fastest speeds on the water. After fourteen completed races throughout the event days with different conditions, Ricccardo Leccese (Columbia) and Stephanie Bridge (UK) rode very consistently throughout the whole dutch event, with strong and powered approach and a final success with first podium positions. Maxime Nocher (FRA) and Christine Bönniger (GER) achieving second, Florian Gruber (GER) and Katja Roose (NED) coming in third.

On day fourth, the awards ceremony took place on the beach at the event site, where many spectators, friends, and fans gathered to see the final exposure of the official winners for racing. Proudly accepting their awards and the price money, each winner looked over the audience with big smiles and much appreciation. Unfortunately all 60 freestyle riders didn’t get any chance to hit the water. They were chilling on the beach or in the event village, where kite brand companies displayed their 2013 gear and play host to lounging and relaxation. DJ booths and animation made up a large portion of the area as well.

In all, the event in Holland was well received. Next up on tour, the MINI Kitesurf Tour Europe will take part in the Derby Kites of La Baule, France. Featuring racing and freestyle performances as well as a great event village with a trainer kite area, MINI showroom and MINI test rides. The French tour stop will host all European rider from 27th to 30th of september 2012.

In an all to familiar ending there was not much wind for freestylers and once again the racing has been the format to count on as it can still happen in light winds.

Promoters of events and sponsors may look at racing more favourably as it is more likely to be a success than other formats

That's the place we often go kite surfing.
That weekend really sucks because it was too hot and then we have no wind.