Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup Neom

19th-23rd October

It’s always exciting to see a brand-new location pop up on the world tour circuit. Most of us would never have heard of Neom in Saudi Arabia as a kitesurfing destination before last weekend, but the action during the second stop of the GKA Freestyle World Cup tour certainly put this spot on the map for flatwater shredderS!

This GKA World Cup in Neom also marked the kick-off of the inaugural Neom Beach Games 2022, a series of five major sports events (kitesurfing, triathlon, 3x3 basketball, beach soccer and mountain biking), all taking place over a six-week period.

"final result is one for our history books, with all three spots on the podium filled with Duotoneriders"

Both the male and female competitors were fully frothing to show off what they had to offer on the perfectly flat water of the deeply turquoise lagoon. Mother Nature came to the party too, providing the goods with hot winds that blew the strongest in the morning.

Our Duotone freestyle team did us proud, pushing the envelope in every single heat.

In the women’s, the final result is one for our history books, with all three spots on the podium filled with Duotoneriders:

Neom turned into 21-year-old Claudia León’s (ESP) event, who claimed her very first world tour win, closely ahead of reigning 4x World Champ Mika Sol (BRA) and Vice World Champion Rita Arnaus (ESP).

Claudia León has been working so hard for many years to finally get to this point in her career. A well-deserved victory, great work Claudia, we are more than stoked for you!

In the men’s, Gianmaria Coccoluto (ITA) put on solid performances all throughout the event securing him a spot in the final. Yet even the best can’t always pull things off perfectly and the pressure proved a bit much with all four finalists struggling to deliver consistent clean executions and landings of their moves. Claiming a worthy third place on the podium, GM’s insane riding was as always a favourite amongst spectators and we’re so proud of having Gianmaria on the team. Congrats to Manoel Soares (BRA) for the victory and Arthur Guillebert (FRA) for the second.

With super strong winds blowing on the morning of finals day, an impromptu Big Air competition was called on. Big Air shredder and 3x French Champion, Duotone’s Val Garat (FRA) sent it like no tomorrow, boosting himself to an impressive win ahead of the other 15 competitors and Sweden’s Nathalie Lambrecht fighting it out amongst the girls, securing 1st place.

Well done, we love your work team!