Narapichit "Yo" Pudla >> 1st KTA China Freestyle
Hi everyone,
The final of the KTA Kiteboard Tour Asia finished in China, Pingtan Island 16-10 May 2012
Myself, the Thailand racing team and friends arrived at the hotel for this event at almost midnight, and met all the riders in the morning on registration day. It was a good feeling to see all our friends again after KTA in Thailand. Looked like everyone was very excited to see the event start because this event is the biggest set up with many spectators and media. I was stoked to see my picture on the big wall used to promote this event, and also picture screen on the KTA China shirt.
Day one had no wind, the second day started with the freestyle single elimination with strong wind and gusty conditions. I went out with my 9m Ozone Edge and STYX 135x41 also with my old boots. I won every heat, and in the semi final heat my insert on the left boot broke, but still enough points to win go to the finals with Ken. I had to use foot straps with another board borrowed from a Chinese friend. It was a hard heat with choppy water and big wave kickers. I landed all the tricks that I planed to do with 313, NIS, Back mobe, Blind judge, KGB and Front mobe. So it was enough for me to win the single elimination.
The the afternoon we had some course racing. I still used my 9m Ozone Edge for the race. I went out to check the race line with Jack Channon Phagrew and Fown Benjapa Jantawan my Thai team. I was riding full speed with my old Underground board and Ristafins set. I still can not get the same speed as Salih, a racer friend from Turkey who finished first all the time and I came second follow by Jack Thai rider from Surfspot. And Fown came to 4th position, first time competing in racing outside of Thailand.
Day three there was no wind, so the KTA crews and riders had fun with Chinese spectators by bringing them to a small beach party. We started the final day with old school, I finished in 3rd, then continued with double eliminations. I went to sleep to get some more power to do final heat. Ken was riding strong and came to the final with me again. Ken had to beat me twice to win the overall final. I lost the first heat because I dropped my kite in the breaking wave. In the end I came back with more technical and powered tricks and I won again, taking 1st freestyle podium in my pocket..We then went out for one more race with super conditions, many riders didn’t finish the race, but the racing podium did not change.
Results
Freestyle
1st Narapichit Pudla (Ozone, Underground, GAC, Ristafins, Quiksilver)
2nd Ken Nacor
3rd Taner Aykurt
4th Stafano Ganugi
5th Doque delos santos
Course Race
1st Salih Alexsander cakir
2nd Narapichit Pudla (Ozone, Underground, GAC, Ristafins, Quiksilver)
3rd Channon Pragaew
4th Ken Nacer
5th Kazumara Sugihara
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