The original brothers from Gran Canaria, but competing for Germany, are crowned in the sub-20 and sub-17 categories, respectively
The Belgian Sol Degrieck and the Japanese Ryomi Sugi take the podium in sub17 and sub15
The youngest local windsurfers shine this Thursday in the waters of Pozo Izquierdo, with ideal conditions of constant wind, around 30 knots, which have once again favored the Gran Canarian, Alexia Kiefer, who triumphs again in Pozo Izquierdo in the female U20 category, after beating Isabel Triviño from Tarifa, who maintains second place, and María Morales from Tenerife (third place) in a “quite intense” three-way final, according to Kiefer, who stated “she is very happy,” since He didn't expect it "because he hadn't trained for a long time."
For the original rider from Maspalomas, “the wind is strong today but there are few waves, so I had a lot of difficulty surfing and the tide didn't help because it was quite high.” However, Kiefer achieved victory thanks to the execution of a well-executed backloop (jump with complete 360 degree rotation backwards) and a forward loop (same maneuver, but forward). “Let's see if I can compete in the professional double eliminator,” said the German flag bearer.
The other main protagonist of the day was Alexia's brother, Carlos Kiefer, who was crowned in the men's under-17 class, after defeating the Belgian Arthur Van den Brande in a final in which the Gran Canarian rider excelled with a double forward (jump with two complete rotations of 360 degrees forward in the air) valued with the maximum score by the judges (10 points). “He has the level to compete with the elders,” said Rafa Cervero, judge of the competition. In the words of Kiefer, who competes for Germany like his sister, “it has been an incredible experience, I am very happy because I have worked hard to achieve it.”
At just 13 years old, Sol Degrieck wins the U17 championship
Among the riders under 17 years of age, the Belgian Sol Degrieck once again stands out in Pozo Izquierdo, reigning in the class at just 13 years old, a category that was won in the last edition of the Gran Canaria World Cup by the Tenerife-born María Morales, who does not compete. this year in sub17. “I am very happy to have been able to win in the sub17, normally I would be in the sub15, but there were not enough riders,” highlighted the Belgian windsurfer, current number 9 in the general ranking in Waves.
Along with Degrieck, the local rider from Pozo Izquierdo, Annagiulia Piccaglia, takes the podium in second place, along with the Spanish Lizzlotte Schilling Andrew. “Sol is a machine, she has very consistent surfing and makes good forwards (jumps with complete rotation of 360 degrees forward in the air), she will surely be world champion soon,” said Rafa Cervero, judge of the competition.
Close final between Javier Escribano and Ryomi Sugi in sub15
During the day the men's sub-15 final was also held with a very close final between the Spanish Javier Escribano and the Japanese Ryomi Sugi, who had to break the tie. Finally, Sugi surpassed the Tarifa windsurfer thanks to the score in waves surfed. “It was a close final that Sugi won because of his surfing, but Javier did, in fact, his best run and his first push loop (jump forward with a 360-degree turn in the air before landing on the wave),” Willy said. Rocha, wave judge. For Escribano, getting second place in the U15 category means “a lot,” because last year they did not make it past the semifinals. “I was left with honey on my lips,” he said. Third place went to German Peter Gobisch.
The +40 and +45 masters premiere tomorrow
On the other hand, this Friday the seventh day of the Gran Canaria World Cup 2023 is scheduled to begin with the competition in the men's sub-20 category, Master +40 and +45 and the double eliminators in Waves, both men and women. , if wind and wave conditions permit.
In addition, during the day, sustainability day will also be celebrated, with a reforestation activity starting at 10:00 a.m., in which participants will travel to Las Salinas de Pozo Izquierdo, where they will take a guided tour and activity of reforestation, organized by the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council. Additionally, there will be talks and activities for the little ones. In the evening, starting at 21:00 p.m., there will be a musical performance.
