2014 Freestyle World Champions Crowned in Hainan

On the final day of the Hainan International Kitesurf Festival, Christophe Tack (BE) and Karolina Winkowska (PL) were officially crowned the 2014 PKRA Freestyle World Champions after the culmination of an action-packed tour season. At the closing ceremony, their titles were consummated and the top four finishers in the single elimination, and the world titles, were celebrated.

After yesterday’s conditions that led to the start of the single elimination, today was windless, leaving the results from yesterday’s last round to stand as the final results for the event. With the field narrowed to the top four men and women, shared first place finishes were earned by riders making it into the semifinals.

The festivities have already begun, yet the closing of the event and the tour season comes with mixed emotions for the riders. Having completed ten stops over the year, this year has been one of the longest seasons to date. “It’s such a relief that it’s the end and to win the title again.” commented Winkowska.

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She has earned the title with her share of victories over the course of the year, the most unique likely being the shared first place from the last stop in Pingtan. “It’s a world tour.” she states. “It’s not one event, it’s not one trick that counts, it’s a whole year. We’ve been working and traveling from Panama in February until now China. It was a whole year of competition and I showed my best at each location and that’s why won and it feels really amazing.”

Earning his first ever world title, Christophe Tack had his share of adversaries throughout the course of the year, with pressure from Liam Whaley (ES), Mark Jacobs (NZ), and Aaron Hadlow (UK), amongst others. His entrance into the PKRA ranks began in 2011, and even then, it was noteworthy, as he consistently placed in the top ten, but never broke through to land in the top three. He maintained his own direction and style, gaining consistency and momentum until finally breaking out this year, winning the first stop in Panama. “I started getting better and better results, and then once you actually get to the podium, I was like, man – I want to do that again.” stated Tack. “I think it is a matter of believing, man, I did it once, I can do it again; I’m not overestimating myself.”

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The level of riding by the women this year was unprecedented. New riders such as women’s Rookie-Of-The Year winner, Annelous Lammerts (NL), provided the additional pressure that pushed the women‘s riding to new heights. Men’s Rookie-Of-The Year winner went to David Tonijuan (ES), who made his entrance into the ladder -immediately recognized for his technical riding and fluid style.

As the third consecutive year in Haikou, the PKRA was excited to return to Hainan Island, Over the course of the year, with all the waters shredded, the heats lost and won, and faces and countries known and visited, we are excited moving towards 2015. We look ahead to the riders, disciplines, and tricks that will makeup the evolving kiteboarding landscape and challenge the champions of today. As the 2014 PKRA season comes to a close, stay connected to the PKRA through all of its media streams for all latest news, updates, and information on the upcoming 2015 tour season.

Hainan International Kitesurf Festival Winner’s Men (shared 1st place)

MEN: Aaron Hadlow (UK), Christophe Tack (BE), Liam Whaley (ES), Youri Zoon (NL)
WOMEN: Bruna Kajiya (BR), Annelous Lammerts (NL), Gisela Pulido (ES), Karolina Winkowska (PL)

2014 PKRA World Champions

Christophe Tack (BE)- Men’s Freestyle World Champion
Karolina Winkowska (PL) Women’s Freestyle World Champion
Bryan Lake (US) Men’s Slalom World Champion
Katja Roose (NL) Women’s World Champion

2014 Men’s Freestyle Overall

MEN
1st – Christophe Tack (BE)
2nd – Liam Whaley (ES)
3rd – Aaron Hadlow (UK)

WOMEN
1st – Karolina Winkowska (PL)
2nd – Gisela Pulido (ES)
3rd – Bruna Kajiya (BR)

2014 PKRA Wave Champions

Keahi De Aboitiz (AU) Men’s PKRA Wave Champion
Moona Whyte (US) Women’s PKRA Wave Champion

2014 Rookie-of -the-Year

MEN: David Tonijuan (ES)
WOMEN: Annelous Lammerts (NL)

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