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Mika paves the way to new potential

Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol Strapless winner Prea
Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol Strapless winner Prea

MIKAILI SOL has made us question whether it’s possible to know our full potential and limits. As 3 X Freestyle World Champion, it's only natural that her high expectations are high, drive unstoppable and personal pressure inescapable.

With a few weeks to kill before the final stop on the GKA FREESTYLE WORLD TOUR, she went home to Prea, Brazil, with the aim to clear her mind.

Never in her wildest dreams did she think that something new would catapult her into the limelight, again.

“I’m so thankful to everyone who welcomed me into this discipline and encouraged me to compete. The whole experience was new and free.”

- Mika

 

Just two weeks ago, the dedicated twintip, boot laced, Vegas riding freestyle machine tried her hand at strapless kite-surfing, under the wing of Duotone’s James Carew and Jan Marcos Riveras who were prepping for the final kite-surf event on the tour.

With an ‘if not now then when’ approach she took her chances on home soil and came out on top.

Talking with the girl of the moment, this is a story set to inspire.

Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol Strapless winner Prea

Matchu Lopes:

“Mika, Mika, Mika, I’ve got no words for the talent she has and the performance we saw at the final stop of the GKA Kite-Surf event, it was incredible and I have to tell you the story. 

She messaged after the tour stop in Morocco, end of October, to say she was headed home to Prea, Brazil, to clear her mind before the final Freestyle event. I thought that was a good idea as being 3 x times Freestyle World Champion comes with pressure.

Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol Strapless winner Prea

Mika is 100% focused on twin tips, boots, handle passes and full power, she’s all about freestyle, so I was surprised when she said she wanted to take the two weeks at home, learning strapless! I couldn’t believe it, but what could I say other than give her some tips.

A week later I called James Carew and Jan Marcos Riveras to see how their training in preparation for the event was going. They said it was all good and they had linked up with Mika and her new setup. I thought this was cool.

Although I was still unable to compete due to injury, I went to Brazil to support my team mates, Airton, James, Jan Marcos and co. Standing at the edge of the Lagoon, I spotted a strapless rider doing a simple, smooth, stylish and technical transition, a huge front roll, back roll and rodeo; it was Mika.”

Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol is ready to ride

GKA

“15-year-old Mikaili Sol decided that as the kite-surf discipline was wrapping up at her home spot in Prea, she'd have nothing to lose by throwing her hat into the ring. Sparks flew on the water over four days of perfect strapless freestyle conditions and sensational action. Proving what an amazing kite athlete she is, she hit the highest heat score of the day, 38.27; made up with 6.5 for a back roll board-off, 9.67 for a front roll board-off, 3.27 for a big straight air, 9.33 for a front roll and 9.5 for a back roll rodeo.”

Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol Strapless Winner Prea

Mika

“I set the bar very high in everything I do, always have. So when it comes down to my kiteboarding career and the results I’ve achieved in the end, managing my expectations and the pressure that brings has been tough as the seasons are long.

The final stop of the GKA freestyle world tour was at home in Prea, I took the opportunity to go home and recharge for the last stop. That might seem weird since I’d already secured the world title for 2019, but the tour hadn’t finished. My mindset is all or nothing. We all still had one more opportunity, ladder to climb, points to gain.

Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol strapless winner lots of kisses
Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol Rodeo

Even though the GKA hosts both Freestyle and Kite-Surf, there’s never enough time to take in what’s happening on the water, you’re in your own world. The last event in Morocco changed this, I had some time to watch the women’s kite-surf, it inspired me.

With a few unplanned weeks at home in Prea and an interest in what I’d seen in Morocco, I messaged Matchu Lopes. If I wanted to try this - new to me -  way of riding I needed some advice about gear - Neo’s, 4.11’ Pro whip, small Click Bar, big chicken loop and Nova Curve ION harness.

By the time that was sorted, my Duotone Kiteboarding team mates / the world’s best kite-surf riders were coming into town. First to arrive was James Carew and Marco Riveras; I tagged along  as they trained for the final event on the GKA Kite-Surf Tour.

Switching my setup was a little scary, I’m not used to strapless and wave kites! But I was so impressed with how easy the Neo is and the Pro Wam so smooth.

I’m not exactly sure how I ended up in the event, maybe I got swept up the fun I was having on the water, the wave team, the wild card I was given or the excitement of being home. Either way, I had no expectations, but I do know the spot better than most which can give you a huge advantage.

The whole experience went by in a blur, a total opposite to how I approach Freestyle. I’m so thankful to everyone who welcomed me into this discipline and encouraged me to compete. It was new, free and moving forwards, definitely a learning experience and maybe something I’ll keep doing.“

Duotone Kiteboarding Mikaili Sol Pro Whip 2020 strapless

GKA strapless Winners Brazil #TEAMTALK

GKA strapless Winners Brazil #TEAMTALK