It’s time again. Bozo Beach Cabarete hosts the PKRA Kiteboarding World Cup with local riders showing off for the judges. Only a few days ago, the new Dominican Kiteboarding Association, ADK, finished off the first official championship in freestyle kiteboarding. Two wild cards were handed out with the titles junior and senior Dominican Champion, and today two of the local guys proved why they are considered two of the very best riders in the country. DR Champion 2006, Alex Soto, and junior champion 2007, Ariel Corniel, pulled some amazing stunts in familiar waters and passed through to the semi finals.

Especially impressive was the recently injured Alex Soto, who had to pass on the opportunity to defend his title during the national championship. His fellow competitors decided to give Soto the wild card in any case, and Soto justified the decision by beating the three times world champion Aaron Hadlow today.

There is no doubt that the guys are on a world class level, and it will be very interesting to see how far these two riders can reach.

In category female, Susi Mai and Audrey Meyer represented the DR through single elimination, but didn’t make it through to the semi finals. But all hope is not gone, as the two powered girls will get another chance in the double elimination. There are definitely possibilities if Mai and Meyer kick in and show their true calibre. Meyer did a good first heat and passed through, but met her match in the second round.

Mai and Meyer will hopefully get the opportunity already on the second day of this popular event.

Last year one of the 2007 newcomers arrived in Cabarete as and ended up going full time PKRA after spending time at the Kite Lounge training. Norwegian snowkiter Kari Schibevaag i(28) is once again back in Cabarete for the world cup event. She is currently ranked number fiv, but have potential to make it even further up on the lists. The Cabarete stage is a hard one as most of the top female riders find this event their favourite. Kari didn’t make it through the single elimination because of relaunch problems during her heat, but the blond Scandinavian gets another shot in the double elimination rounds this week.
But Kari is going for it, and the KL Team is there cheering her on. Good luck to miss Schibevaag!

photos: Hege Holt Words: Hege Holt