KSP News:

Portugal Heat Draw Is Set; Art Auction Starts

Cascais, Portugal – June 1, 2012: The names of the world’s top kite surfers have been drawn and the heats have been set for the EDP Kite Surf Pro Cascais World Championship Tour event, which kicks off today in Portugal.

As in the 2011 season, the KSP will be using a "double consolidation" elimination system, which has been specifically developed to give riders a second chance all the way to the quarter finals. With some high-caliber unseeded riders joining the slate of 2012 KSP tour riders, this elimination ladder will once again deliver a fair chance even to these riders with an unlucky draw.

“All the heats look difficult since there are a lot of really talented riders assembled here,” says Head Judge, Brad Price. "Some of the heats look especially challenging, like the second men’s heat which will see a face-off between the Brazilian 2006 ASP World Championship Tour Surfer Pedro Henrique Menezes, fellow Brazilian Filippe Ferreira who placed 3rd at the 2011 Pacasmayo Kite Surf Pro Peru, and Australian kite phenomenon Keahi De Aboitiz. These guys are all incredible kite surfers and have such different styles – it’s going to be like splitting hairs.”

Due to light winds and small swell contest officials called a lay day for today. The forecast for the upcoming week looks promising and the competition will get under way as soon as conditions are contestable.

In time for its season kick-off, KSP today also announced the start of an online auction of the one-of-a-kind painting: “Azulejos do Mar” by internationally renowned French artist, Sylvain Rata. The auction will benefit The Blue Marine Foundation, a UK-based non-profit dedicated to the preservation and protection of oceans. Bidding is now officially open for the online auction at: http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/2987231

Rata has painted four original works for KSP, one for each of the KSP World Tour’s event locations. As the first in the four-painting series, Rata’s “Azulejos do Mar” captures the grace and beauty of kite surfing and the pristine beauty of Portugal’s Guincho Beach in Cascais, which is the site of the EDP Kite Surf Pro Cascais World Championship Tour event.

Of his generous and creative donation, Rata said: “This cause is one that is close to all of our hearts – anything that the ocean sport community can do to raise awareness and funds is important. I am honored to have my art that captures the spirit of the oceans, be used for such a worthwhile cause.” KSP President, Kristin Boese, adds: “As kite surfers, we’re intimately aware of the fragility of marine environments and the need to preserve them. We’re happy that the proceeds from the online auction of Rata’s spectacular ‘Azulejos do Mar’ will contribute toward realizing Blue Marine Foundation’s ocean preservation goal.”

The online auction of Rata’s painting “Azulojos do Mar” will take place now through June 14, 2012.

For any further info please visit www.kspworldtour.com