Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe 2024 – Champions crowned amid final drama
by Ian MacKinnon 18 Nov 05:28 PST
12-15 November 2024
Switzerland’s Maxime Chabloz ended his losing streak by clinching his maiden victory at the Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe, while Bruna Kajiya celebrated consecutive wins in front of thrilled local supporters in Brazil.
Chabloz felt the pressure of multiple second place finishes and was anxious that a win might elude him forever. Yet, in the final, he achieved a heartfelt victory with a flawless 10-point trick.
“I can’t believe this,” Chabloz said. “I’m truly at a loss for words. It has been an incredibly challenging journey. After four or five second places in a row, I nearly lost faith. Mentally, it’s tough to stay in there. I’ve put in so much effort to reach this point. But I’m thrilled.”
Reigning world champion Kajiya now boasts consecutive wins that position her strongly to defend her title. In Brazil, she reveled in her triumph on home turf amid her adoring fans.
“I can’t find the words to convey how I feel,” Kajiya expressed. “This is a dream come true. Competing in Cauipe is an aspiration of mine, and winning at home is unmatched. Winning in front of the Brazilian crowd; the support, energy, and emotions—it’s the height of sport, and I get to live it. So I’m extremely happy.”
The final day of the Cauipe world cup was finely balanced, with only the semi-finals and finals remaining to determine who would secure victory in the second of the three scheduled Freestyle events this season.
Exciting grandstand
The first men’s semi-final could easily have been the final on another occasion. Egypt’s Karim Mahmoud went against former world champions Arthur Guillebert (FRA) and Gianmaria Coccoluto (ITA), along with Maxime Chabloz.
Mahmoud couldn’t replicate the spectacular performances from his earlier heats. Even a score of 9.33 for a Backside to Blind was insufficient for advancement, leaving him in fourth place. Coccoluto had a mixed performance despite executing impressive tricks, ultimately failing to advance.
Chabloz displayed his usual precision and strength, landing a huge Back Mobe 7, earning a judge score of 9.27 that secured his place moving forward. Guillebert kicked off with an impressive 8.63 for a Heart Attack and followed it up with a 9.53 for a Front Blind Mobe 5, allowing him to progress.
In contrast, the second semi-final was somewhat subdued, featuring France’s Valentin Garat, Leo Verrecchia (AUS), Finn Flügel (GER), and local 16-year-old sensation Davi Ribeiro. Ribeiro opened with two powerful moves, including a 9.1 for a KGB7, but ultimately faltered due to his lack of experience, ending his run.
Garat performed just enough with his Slim Chance scoring 7.9 to move on to the final alongside Flügel, whose consistent tricks, including a 7.6 for a Blind Heart Attack 5, earned him the win.
The men’s final left the Cauipe crowd buzzing with excitement. Maxime Chabloz faced off against Valentin Garat, Arthur Guillebert, and Finn Flügel. However, nerves seemed to affect the competitors, resulting in a disjointed contest marked by several falls.
Performance impacted
Garat recorded a solid 8.03 for a Slim Chance but struggled to maintain consistency, settling for fourth place. Flügel kept the competition alive with a 7.57 for a KGB7. However, his biggest attempt, a massive Combo, went wrong at the last moment, resulting in his kite ending up in a restaurant, and he finished third.
The real showdown unfolded between Chabloz and Guillebert. Guillebert had the advantage until deep in the heat. A Front Blind Mobe 5 scored 9.07 for him, which appeared to give him the edge, but he failed to finish strong.
“I really wanted this win, so it’s disappointing right now,” Guillebert admitted. “But I’m happy as I injured my knee in Dunkerque a few months back and I’m not at full strength yet. I desired the victory, but this bodes well for the rest of the season.”
Chabloz built on his perfect 10-point performance with a Back Mobe 7. The Swiss rider concluded the heat with a 7.9 for a Heart Attack 7, allowing him to secure the win by a narrow margin. It marked the first world cup victory of his career and placed him joint top in the rankings.
The women’s semi-finals were intensely competitive. Kaya Lehmann (GER) delivered a strong heat, allowing her to qualify for her second consecutive final. Italy’s Francesca Bagnoli executed a massive Heart Attack worth 8.23 in an otherwise inconsistent heat, enabling her advancement.
The top competitors, Spain’s Rita Arnaus and local favorite Bruna Kajiya, faced off in the other semi-final. Arnaus was steady and consistent, landing several strong scoring tricks, including a 6.6 for a Slim Chance.
‘A tough battle through injuries’
However, Kajiya was relentless, succeeding in every trick attempt and continually pushing herself. Her 9.0 for a Combo, followed by 7.7 for a Pete Rose, contributed to a remarkable 32.63 heat total.
The final, held in robust winds, featured a thrilling matchup between Rita Arnaus, Francesca Bagnoli, Kaya Lehmann, and Bruna Kajiya.
Bagnoli found herself in a fierce battle with Arnaus. Ultimately, the Italian narrowly missed out, settling for third place. Arnaus edged ahead with her final trick, scoring 6.6 to secure second place.
“This competition has been phenomenal,” Arnaus said. “I’m delighted to achieve second here in Cauipe; it’s such a beautiful location. The skill level among the girls is incredible. I trained intensely, particularly mentally, as it’s tough to compete through injuries. I relished the final like never before, and I’m incredibly happy.”
Brazil’s Bruna Kajiya was once again in a tier of her own. She scored 8.47 for a KGB, followed by 8.23 for a Combo, and 7.37 for a Front Blind, sealing the heat. With such form, Kajiya remained unbeatable, claiming victory for consecutive seasons.
Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe 2024 results – Men
1. Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
2. Arthur Guillebert (FRA)
3. Finn Flügel (GER)
4. Valentin Garat (FRA)
Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Cauipe 2024 results – Women
1. Bruna Kajiya (BRA)
2. Rita Arnaus (ESP)
3. Francesca Bagnoli (ITA)
4. Kaya Lehmann (GER)
