Kitespeed World Cup 2009: Port Saint Louis du Rhone

[Toby]

Let's get started!!! : The 2009 Kitespeed World Cup (IKA/AFCK) will take place from 30th of March till 5th of April 2009 in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône (France). This competition will be in two ways really important for French riders as it will be the Kitespeed French Championship as well!

Organized by Delta Mistral Camargue kiteclub, with the support of the French kite association (FFVL), the 4th edition of this event will be for sure blessed again by amazing wind conditions specific to the south of France. A lot of nationalities will be represented, Germany, USA, UK, South Africa, Slovenia, Switzerland, Holland...

The 6 outright fastest men and 2 outright fastest women will be here:

Alex Caizergues, who doesn't need to be introduced anymore: he became a legend last October in Luderitz (Namibia) with his 50.57 knots on 500m; he's now the outright fastest speed sailor in the world. 2007 and 2008 Kitespeed World Champion, he's fast but also efficient on every kind of speed strips. He's of course the man to beat for everyone but he's got a huge trump, he will be at home!

Robert Douglas, 50.54 knots, this American rider surprised everyone last year with his first participation on the world tour; he jumped directly on the podium. It's his first try in Port Saint Louis, but he's got two advantages: his impressive build and his coach, Mike Gebbhart, former Olympic gold medalist on windsurf.

Sebastien Cattelan, 50.52 knots, first man to break the 50 knots barrier and to reach incredible max speeds. Vice World Champion in 2007 and 2008, kite recordman in 2007, he's used to be on podium. "Catman" is never scared and is passing where nobody dared pass before: he loves extreme conditions.

The others competitors to keep an eye on : Sylvain Hoceini 49.79, Christophe Prin-Guenon 49.54, Jerome Bila 49.26, but also Manu Taub 48.21 and Rolf Von der Vlugt 47.36. Be carefull with the locals Marc Blanc and Sylvain Maurin who knows like their pocket their spot!

On the women side:

Sjoukje Bredenkamp, this South African girl is simply the fastest sailing women with 45.20 knots on 500m, an amazing time that let more than a man behind! She set outright women speed record both in 2007 and 2008.

Charlotte Consorti, 44.74 knots, incredible, she's collecting titles, 2007 and 2008 World Champion, and French outright speed record. She will also have the advantage to be a local.
The battle will be close between these two candidates for the world title, but this year, a lot of other girls will be there, so game is open!

About the juniors, it's the young gun Nicolas Maurin who risk to surprise more than one... he's following the bests and is announcing a max speed of 50.26 knots on GPS from his last training session.

The 30th of March, counters will be set on zero again for the World Kitespeed Titles and makes the fastest win!!!

Schedule:

Opening Ceremony: Moskito Paradize, Carteau Beach, Sunday 29th of March at 6pm.
Races: from 30th of March till 5th of April, every day when wind conditions allow it, from 10 am till 5 pm on Napoleon beach.
Closing ceremony: at the Nautical Center, Carteau Beach, Sunday 5th of April at 6pm.

Registration and information : www.speedworldcup.com and www.dmckite.net

Pre-registered Competitors list :

Name
Nationality
Alex Caizergues
FRA
Benoit Jouffret
FRA
Caroline Adrien
FRA
Charlotte Consorti
FRA
Christophe Harduin
FRA
Christophe Prin-Guenon
FRA
Damien Leroy
USA
Damir Veledar
CRO
David Williams
GBR
Francaise Brunel
FRA
Frederic Baeza
FRA
Geoffrey Mascarell
FRA
Greg Benetau
FRA
Henri Prieur
FRA
Jamie Douglas
USA
Jason James McCaffrey
GBR
Jemma Grobbelaar
FRA
Jernej Privsek
SLO
Jerome Bila
FRA
Jochen Bock
GER
John Grimm
USA
Julien Taub
FRA
Lucile Brunel
FRA
Manu Taub
FRA
Marc Blanc
FRA
Marco Brunschwiler
SUI
Marie Desandre Navarre
FRA
Melissa Gil
USA
Milo Extercatte
NED
Nicolas Maurin
FRA
Olivier Moragues
FRA
Patrice Menossi
FRA
Richard Maxime
FRA
Rob Douglas
USA
Rolf van der Vlugt
NED
Sebastien Cattelan
FRA
Sjoukje Bredenkamp
RSA
Sophie Routaboul
FRA
Stephane Caous
FRA
Sylvain Hoceini
FRA
Sylvain Maurin
FRA
Yvan Taviani
FRA