Brazil’s Kesiane Rodrigues began the competition with big expectations of her. She won last year’s closing world cup on home waters. She moved through the gears with some stylish hacks off the lip, driving out the fins.

The men took to the water as the sun began to dip.  But the sets were just getting bigger.  Cape Verdean legend Mitu Monteiro came out of retirement to join the party. Just shy of his 40th birthday, he showed all his experience on the Ponta Preta break. He earned the highest wave score of the day in the men’s contest, with a 7.67 for remarkable hacks in the pocket that brought cheers from crowds on the beach.

Cape Verde-based Hendrick Lopes drew similar acclaim. He attacked the waves with ferocity. But he also linked his turns with plenty of flow, smashing it off the top and driving his fins out of the lip. For good measure, he threw a couple of air reverses in the final section.

Another standout of the day was Brazil’s Pedro Matos. He threw down a series of jaw-dropping vertical rides and consecutive air 360s. But it was not without drama. He had failed to don the correct competition lycra but was handed one by a coach in the water, earning him a disqualification from the heat.

On Day 1, the competition reached the women’s Quarter Final stage, while the men got through to the middle of Round 3. For Day 2, the decision by the Race Director was to push on to complete as much as possible of the competition. Stay tuned for updates.

Source: https://www.gkakiteworldtour.com/legends-battle-in-kite-surf-opener-in-cape-verde/