FLYING HIGH Kite-Surf World Tour champions crowned in Torquay

THE best kitesurfers in the world were crowned on the Surf Coast at the weekend in the final stage of this year’s GKA Kite-Surf World Tour.

The sixth event in the tour, which was making its debut in Australia, ran from Thursday to Saturday in mixed conditions at Point Danger and 13th Beach, with the awards ceremony held on Sunday.

Australian kitesurfer Keahi de Aboitiz had a Saturday to remember, winning the men’s final in cross-off winds and peeling waves against Brazil’s Sebastian Ribeiro and also celebrating his birthday.

The win elevated de Aboitiz from third to second on the overall standings, behind only world title winner Airton Cozzolino (Cape Verde/Italy).

On the women’s side of the competition, Jalou Langeree from the Netherlands defeated Spain’s Carla Herrera Oria in the final to not only win the debut Torquay event but also retain her spot at the top of the championship standings and the title.

On Saturday, the Surf Coast Kite Festival was held in conjunction with the event.