Intriguing prospect

For the US’s Moona Whyte, who tops the women’s standings, the mixed format could prove tricky. Oahu-based Whyte won all three pure surfing, wave competitions, but skipped the German stop, as strapless-freestyle is not her strength.

A format mixing the two styles is an intriguing prospect. Whyte’s wave riding is peerless on the women’s side and she could score big, but it is unclear if that will get her over the line against rivals who have big strapless-freestyle tricks in their lockers.

To win the title, Whyte must take at least third place in Cauipe no matter what her key rivals can manage. France’s Capucine Delannoy, sits second overall, and Switzerland’s Camille Losserand, is ranked third.

Reigning Qatar Airways GKA Kite-Surf World Champion Delannoy, 17, recognises the threat Whyte poses in the waves, but hopes her strapless-freestyle repertoire of tricks could tip the balance in her favour to secure back-to-back titles.

The Swiss athlete Losserand, the current Qatar Airways GKA Big Air Surfboard Kite World Champion, also has a strong range of strapless-freestyle tricks to thrown down and could upset the order in Brazil.

Source: https://www.gkakiteworldtour.com/world-title-showdown-at-final-stop-in-brazil/