Day 3 of the Kite-Surfing Course Race & Freestyle Worldcup and the breeze at St.Peter-Ording on the German North Sea Coast was freshening up to 45 knots Monday. After some qualification runs for the Freestylers in the morning, even the small 6 square-meter kites were too big for the gusty winds, and the competition had to be abandoned.



The weather early on allowed for the beginning of trial heats, which ran through heat #13. After this point, winds were simply too strong to safely carry on competition. The trials that did take place were incredibly impressive, as the wind was clearly gusty and highly unpredictable.

Most riders were over-powered on their 6 and 7-meter kites, as they kept barely enough control to execute some stellar maneuvers and complicated tricks. With considerably more wind swell than the day prior, freestylers battled the rough waters and choppy conditions with both bravery and grace.



Johnno Scholte (NED), Tijn Van Esch (NED), Reno Romeu (BRA), Finn Behrens (GER), and Antoine Fermon (FRA) all did especially well, throwing down a myriad of powered tricks, each placing first in their respective heats. Other top finishers included Christophe Tack (BEL), Ariel Cornial (DR), and Ben Bowd (UK), among others.

Tuesday, the wind is expected to ease up, with probable measurements of 15-20 knots. These conditions will likely be ideal for the continuation and completion of trial heats as well as the possible start of single elimination heats. Racing may also take place, depending on the wind levels.