Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard 2014

Winners of Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard 2014, Gisela Pulido and Liam Whaley. © Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard
Winners of Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard 2014, Gisela Pulido and Liam Whaley.
 

Gisela Pulido and Liam Whaley win Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard 2014

The winners, both Spanish, demonstrated style, power and skill in the water throughout the whole competition.

The latest edition of Tarifa Masters of Kiteboardwas held from 4-8 June 2014. This year’s winners both hail from Tarifa - Gisela Pulido, nine-times world champion, and Liam Whaley, who is currently in fifth in the international rankings, were crowned Masters of Kiteboard at Playa Valdevaqueros in Tarifa.

Gisela Pulido, Annelous Lamert and Annabel Van Westerop. © Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard
Gisela Pulido, Annelous Lamert and Annabel Van Westerop celebrate on the podium.

On the final day of the competition, the kiteboarders donned their wetsuits and headed into the sea to use the “kicker” ramp. This new event was introduced this year to add more variety to the championships - all the kitesurfers were very keen to try out a different obstacle. The competition started smoothly, but strong waves made one side of the ramp tip over, so the judges decided to end the finals with the best trick in the water instead. Thomas Paris, who had been keeping the audience in suspense until the last minute, won in this category.

WINNERS

    Wild Card (amateur competition)

    • David Tonijuan
    • Pau Gisbert

    Expression Session

    • Guillermo Álvarez
    • Thomas Paris

    Kicker

    • Thomas Paris

    Freestyle

    • Men:
    • 1º Liam Whaley
    • 2º David Tonijuan
    • 3º Patrick Blanc
    • Women:
    • 1º Gisela Pulido
    • 2º Annelous Lammert
    • 3º Annabel Van Westerop
     
    Liam Whaley, David Tonijuan and Patrick Blanc. © Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard
    Liam Whaley, David Tonijuan and Patrick Blanc are delighted with their final positions.

    This year current World Champion Alex Pastor was judging the championship rather than taking part, as he is still recovering from an injury. “I really want to compete again and, even though I’ve still got two months of recovery left, the worst is over. I’m 24 but I’d like to keep competing until I’m 30 at least,” he explained.

     
    Winner of the Wild Card Amateur Competition David Tonijuan. © Tarifa Masters of Kiteboard
    Winner of the Wild Card Amateur Competition David Tonijuan.

    Once again, Valdevaqueros beach was packed with fans who didn’t want to miss out on this spectacular event in Tarifa, wind capital of the world.

     

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