Britainıs best kitesurfers will be competing for the 2004 national titles at The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, as the final round of the British Kitesurfing Association (BKSA) Championships comes to Cornwall.
The White Stuff Kitesurfing Grand Prix, the fifth and final leg of the BKSA series, will see some of the countryıs top professional kitesurfers put on a spectacular display at Watergate Bay from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th November 2004.
With no clear ratings leader in the menıs division going into the event, performances in the White Stuff Kitesurfing Grand Prix will prove decisive in the 2004 title race, with the result of every heat potentially having some bearing on the final outcome.³The points ratings in the menıs division are wide open at the moment any of the top-ranked men have a chance of winning the British title,² said competition director and head judge Andy Preston from the BKSA.
³Only two of the four Top Flight events this year have contributed points to the rankings due to adverse conditions, so there really is everything to play for at Watergate Bay. We should see some hard-fought battles on the water if we get the right conditions here.²
Leading the menıs division is 2003 British Champion Mike Smith, who won the last scoring event at Rhosneigr, Anglesey. 18 year-old White Stuff team rider Neal Hilder, currently in fourth position, is well-placed to make a challenge for the title, as are 2002 British Champion Alex Tritten (currently in third place), and Dave Ibbertson in second.
The ladies division is more clear-cut. With wins in both of the ladiesı events completed so far Jo Wilson has built an almost unassailable lead, and can claim the 2004 title by placing at least fourth. Watergate Bayıs Andreya Wharry (in second place on the rankings), and 2003 British Champion Kirsty Jones (in third) are the only riders with a chance of snatching the title from Wilson.
³Kitesurfing is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting new watersports, drawing inspiration from windsurfing, wakeboarding and surfing, and White Stuff are proud to support the BKSA events,² said Susan Crawford, Marketing Manager at White Stuff.
³The Extreme Academy has been at the forefront of developing kitesurfing, and Watergate Bay is widely recognised as one of the best venues for kitesurf events. White Stuff are really excited to be putting on an event at Watergate Bay, and we anticipate an explosive conclusion to the 2004 Grand Prix Series.²
Competition in the professional Top Flightı menıs and ladiesı divisions begins on Thursday 4th November. Amateurs and juniors will then take to the water on Saturday 6th November, with finals in all divisions and prize-giving to be held on Sunday 7th November.
The ever-popular event party on Saturday 6th will give all competitors, officials, sponsors and kite enthusiasts an opportunity to let their hair down. The £10 party tickets include a Beach Hut buffet, an Extreme Academy cocktail, and entertainment from 7pm until midnight. Tickets are available from the Extreme Academy by calling 01637 860840.
