POSTED: Friday January 27th 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The KTA, Asia's first ever sanctioned international kiteboard competition organization kicked off this seasons Asian Championship Tour.
BORACAY Island, Philippines - January 2012 - the KTA powered by AQUA Boracay (http://www.aquaboracay.com) held its third successful competition visit to the island from January 10th to 15th.
HONG KONG: The KTA is pleased to announce a record-breaking registration this year with a total of 79 competitors - 62 racers and 22 men along with 16 women for the freestyle events, including some competition in both disciplines.
The KTA Philippines continues to attract and increasing number of competitors, enthusiasts, spectators and media confirming its position as one of the top Asian competition destinations.
The first KTA event of 2012 gets the New Year off in one of the world’s most beautiful water destinations. Featuring emerald waters and pristine white sandy beaches Boracay island was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice 2011" by TripAdvisor as the second best beach ranking of the top 25 in the world.
KTA Competition Director - Stephan Hertig said:
"This was the best event in Boracay we have had so far, with prefect conditions, good winds, flat water and the ideal spot along the AQUA Boracay beachfront. Bulabog Beach and Boracay Island is definitely one of the best locations in Asia for a competition, and we look forward to seeing AQUA Boracay's completion by next year and an even bigger event.
Men's Asian Champion - Yo Narapitchit Pudla said:
"Great conditions here in Boracay. In my country (Thailand) we don't have a lot of wind like this and I train with light wind so here the competition is hardcore and challenging also with all the new European riders taking part this year".
With the promise of good winds on registration day, competitors were out-of-sight by nightfall, bracing themselves for a hell of a ride, KTA style!
The first day of competitions saw winds raging over 25 knots as participants geared-up for the day's battles on the turquoise warm water. Converging at AQUA Boracay's magnificent beachfront, the crowds cheered as the judges, took their places and KTA Tour Director Willy Kerr riled up the riders for the off and finally, the game of the champions began.
Alternating the freestyle single eliminations for the women's and the men's categories until sunset, the exhilarating day took freestyle competition to immense heights, pushing each competitor to their limits until the day's end.
Through the ensuing days the freestyle competitions proved to be wild and thrilling throughout as competitors moved through the singles eliminations and on into the double eliminations were competitors showed-off their hardcore moves, "big air" stunts and mind blowing combinations to outdo each other and reach the top slots by the end of the event.
Then with the freestyle honours decided course racing took centre stage with men racing in combined fleets with women in both twin-tip (TT) and race board (RB) classes in this exciting new and potentially Olympic sailing sport being lined up for the 2016 Games.
With wind ranges of 20 to 25 knots, speeds were hitting a neck-breaking 60 to 70 kilometres per hour in many of the races and with up to 62 racers heading across the start line in each race it was one spectacular sight to witness.
By the end of this first round of the Asian Championship Tour a total of 9 combined class course races had been completed to add to the fully lit freestyle competition and new names as well as old were now appearing on the winners podiums.
Results - Top 3 Places
Freestyle Men
1. Andrey Salnik - Ukraine
2. Ben Bowd - Greece
3. Jaka Komocar -Slovenia
Freestyle Women
1. Victoria Soloveykina - Russia
2. Susan Kay - New Zealand
3. Ali Dudfield - Australia
Course Race Men
1. Salih Cakir - Turkey
2. Ken Nacor - Philippines
3. Tanner Aykurt - Turkey
Course Race women - RB Class
1. Kathrin Borgwardt - Germany
2. Aya Oshima - Japan
3. Rachel Holliger - Switzerland
Course Race Men
1. Karem Balik - Turkey
2. Doque Delos Santos - Philippines
3. Ryan Cahilig - Philippines
Course Race Women - TT Class
1. Michalina Laskowska - Poland
2. Rebecka maudal - Norway
3. Dina Muldasheva - Russia
For more information contact:
Willy Kerr - KTA Tour and Media Director
Email: willy@kiteboardtour.asia
Tel: +66895292050
Web: http://www.kiteboardtour.asia/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kiteboardtourasia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/kitetourasia
About KTA
The KTA was formed to give an international platform to the skills and talents of kiteboarders throughout Asia, and to bring professional level competition and training to the region. The KTA launched the first international tour of its kind in Asia in September 2009 visiting five countries over the 2009/2010 season.
Following the success of its first tour the KTA is back for the 2010/11 season with a new six stop Asian Tour and a new range of national level, stand alone, Open Events.
The KTA is open to everyone from anywhere, amateur and pro riders alike. It is the one and only officially Asian continental tour sanctioned by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), the kitesurfing world governing body, which in turn is the class representative to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) sanctioning international sailing competitions from world championship to Olympic levels.
KTA's philosophy is to start slow and grow steadily. We are focused on giving homegrown riders the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of being part of an international competition scene. Our hopes are to provide a stepping-stone for the region's best riders onto the World tour scene by giving them the full experience of high level competition at a more local level, and who knows, maybe in the process discover a future world champion!
The KTA Asian Tour will result in tour stop event champions, the eventual overall KTA champions, and the Asian champions. So whether you are only able to compete at one event or take on the whole tour, you still have chance for a podium spot.
About AQUA Boracay Group
The AQUA Boracay Group is an experienced team of developers committed to building quality, luxury homes, built with integrity in delivering on every promise; an uncompromising commitment to the highest standards of excellence in products, services and workmanship; a corporate responsibility towards ecological sustainability, safety and security; social responsibility towards the community and the world; ethical and responsible management values; fairness and honesty towards business partners, customers and the entire team.
It is our goal not just to build properties, but to provide exquisite homes, with an eye on every detail to create a unique vision for luxurious island living.
Our property developments are the fulfilment of your dreams, and with each building block, we turn your aspirations into reality.
The Group has extensive international property sales and development experience in the Philippines, Europe, and Russia, with the most sought-after prime luxury properties in Boracay Island. We believe in hands-on project management, overseeing every aspect of the design, sales, customer service, construction and completion of the property.
Name: Willy Kerr
Organization: Kiteboard Tour Asia
Email:
Phone: 66895292050
URL: http://www.kiteboardtour.asia/