As the second day of the GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup in Dunkerque beckoned, anticipation filled the air. With the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour making its inaugural appearance, the North Sea’s building north-easterly breeze provided the perfect setting. Two dozen men and ten women, hailing from 11 nations, were all set for the North Sea showdown.
Following a windless first day, the conditions on day two couldn’t have been more different. Perfect winds greeted competitors from 10 am onward, leading the men’s division all the way to the semi-finals and seeing the women’s category through to completion.
It was Brazil’s Bruna Kajiya who stood out, clinching her second victory for the year during the GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup France leg. An almost impeccable performance saw her effortlessly navigate through her competitors.
As the most experienced female contender on the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour, Kajiya’s win was all the more sweet, considering the challenging conditions she faced. With two victories from three stops under her belt, she now looks forward to competing in her home country, Brazil.
A beaming Kajiya expressed her elation, “It’s an indescribable feeling. The effort I’ve put into this is massive. My confidence during my rides was evident, and that’s been a significant improvement for me over the year.” She continued, “The conditions were challenging with the choppy waters, but that’s what we prepare for. It’s like solving a puzzle for me.”
As she gears up for the next leg in Brazil, she stated, “Competing on home turf, representing my country, is every athlete’s dream. The title has always been my focus, and I’m dedicating every moment to achieve it.”
Meanwhile, don’t miss out on the action-packed Men’s Division Grand Finale – stay tuned for live updates!
GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Dunkerque 2023 results
1 Bruna Kajiya (BRA)
2 Claudia Léon (ESP)
3 Francesca Bagnoli (ITA)
4 Therese Taabbel (DEN)
Be sure to check out Kitesurfing Magazine’s in-depth interview with Bruna Kajiya after her first win this year in Qatar.