GKA Dunkerque, France - Freestyle Kite World Cup

Rita Arnaus, recently back from injury, proved that her training and hard work during her recovery was worth the squeeze. Arnaus came back to the tour in fine form, hardly missing a step and putting on a stellar performance with powerful well-executed tricks that earned her a well deserved and impressive Second Place finish. The Spanish rider continues to impress with her dedication to her sport even through an athletes worst fear of injury. We know this is only the start of Arnaus’ comeback story and we can’t wait to cheer her on at the next event.

Another standout in the women’s field was Italian rider, Francesca Bagnoli, who was in top shape throughout the early rounds of competition. Bagnoli is always an exciting rider to watch and she did not disappoint in France. While Bagnoli came out swinging in the early rounds, she had a mishap on the beach only moments before the start of her final heat which broke her focus giving her a rough start to her penultimate performance. Unfortunately, these things can happen in competition however, Bagnoli shows what it means to be a true competitor and brings home a Fourth Place finish.

In the men’s division, Duotone riders Gianmaria Coccoluto and local Frenchman Valentin Garat also made significant strides. Both riders demonstrated their incredible talent and drive, making it all the way to the semi-final heat before being narrowly edge out. Coccoluto, ranked number two rider coming into the event, is known for his explosive style and innovative maneuvers. Coccoluto delivered a performance that had spectators on the edge of their seats. His commitment to pushing the limits was evident, and his impressive run reaffirmed his status as one of the sports top contenders even while making an earlier than expected exit from the competition. 

Garat, competing on his home turf, had the support of the local crowd fueling his performance. His powerful riding and years of competitive experience were evident, giving a solid performance from start to finish.

Congratulations to all of the winners of the GKA Freestyle World Cup France. The World Tour continues on at the beautiful beaches of Brazil in November for the second stop where we are certain to see unrivaled freestyle action.