GKA Big Air Gran Canaria World Championship

Unexpectedly, Duotone rider and reigning World Champion, Andrea Principe, was forced to withdraw from the Gran Canaria event and the 2024 title race due to a recent unfortunate crash that resulted in a rib cartilage injury. This unexpected turn of events left the door wide open for a new champion. We wish Principe a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to the competition. The silver lining to this news is that teammate Alberto "Beto" Gomez from Chile will now have the opportunity to compete in this prestigious event. Additionally, the current women's Big Air World Champion, Mikaili Sol, would not compete, meaning two new world champions would be crowned.

The conditions began pumping with strong 35 + knot winds as the competition got underway. On the women's front, eyes were on Pippa Van Iersel, who came into this final stop and was ranked first after winning at the Lords of Tram event earlier this year. However, as the competition had only gotten more heated with every event, it was clear that she would not have an easy journey to victory. Competing in raging ocean conditions with 40+ knot winds, Van Iersel had an intense showdown, landing impressive massive loops. However, it would ultimately be Zara Hoogenraad's day for victory, ending with a near-perfect combined heat score, thus complicating Van Iersel's path to the finals and would send her into round 2, where in an exciting and tight heat, Van Iersel would come up just short taking her out of the competition much earlier than expected.

Even though Van Iersel may not have accomplished her intended result for the Gran Canaria event, she still finishes the year 3rd place in the world for the GKA Big Air Championship Tour. A huge accomplishment and a journey that Duotone is incredibly proud to be supporting her for. Congratulations to Pippa!

One of the standout performances of the competition was from Egyptian rider, Sarah Sadek, who proved her potential as a serious contender on tour in her first season. Sadek's impressive run took her all the way to the semi-finals, where she showcased her skills in the charging conditions. Although she narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals, her performance was a clear indication of her future success in the sport.

On the men's side of the competition, Edgar Ulrich would start with a heat win, which was decided by his Contra Double Front Board Off, sending him straight to round 3. Beto Gomez took to the water, sending it massive, landing a 19.4 meter trick but needing more maneuvers to win his heat and would, therefore, continue his run in round 2. Teammates Val Garat and Nathan Texier would come head to head right out the gate, with the more experienced Garat narrowly edging out young-gun Texier. In another teammate showdown, Gomez and Ulrich would find themselves pitted against each other in the quarter-finals as the conditions and competition only grew more heated.

Ulrich laid down some quality scores to build his heat, landing a Contra Doobie Loop and Kite Loop Board Off Late Backroll early in the heat. Gomez also gave the other men's quarter-finalists a run for their money, posting solid scores with high-amplitude tricks like his Double Backroll Kite Loop. However, neither of our men's Duotone riders left in the competition would earn high enough marks to keep their podium dreams alive.

Congratulations to all of the winners, tour riders, and event organizers for an action packed season of Big Air kiteboarding!