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Youri Zoon and Karolina Winkowska are 2012 PKRA Freestyle champions
Sunday, 25 November 2012 20:11

Youri Zoon: Freestyle master

Youri Zoon and Karolina Winkowska are the 2012 PKRA Freestyle world champions, after conquering the Reef Kitesurf Pro, in New Caledonia.


The final heats of the 2012 PKRA World Tour season were very intense, as the two most talented riders in the world - Alex Pastor and Youri Zoon - wanted to grab the trophy.

Pastor initially came out strong, landing a nice KGB with a grab. Zoon was obviously determined to go into a Super Final to secure the world title. He threw down a huge Shifty 5 and an impressive KGB with his kite very low.

Spectators on the beach and other riders almost fell silent as this momentous heat began. Pastor came in first, full speed, with a KGB that didn't go as well as planned, while Zoon came in right behind and stomped a big Blind Judge 3.

Pastor then went on to execute a well-done Slim 5, yet Youri came through with a massive SH5, landing toeside. The heat continued on with each rider giving it their all.

These two competitors went hard, charging all of their best tricks. Pastor went on to do another grab KGB as he did in the first final and Zoon kept going big.
Alex's incredible Slim 7 warranted a huge applause from the crowd, as it's one of Alex's best tricks. As the heat progressed, it became apparent that this would be a very close heat.

No one could tell who was winning, and nearly every trick seen on the water was big, fast, and impressive. Finally, the heat came to an end, and while both riders performed incredibly well - showing the world exactly why they are the two fiercest competitors in the world - Youri Zoon barely came out ahead by just .16 points (45.32 - 45.16).

"To ride against him in the final again was something special, but I knew that I had to win, so I was giving everything that I had that I could do in those conditions", says Youri Zoon.

The final Women's heat now took center stage, with Bruna Kajiya and Karolina Winkowska in an intense battle to the end. With sheer determination on their faces, they entered the water with complete focus and resolve.

Kajiya opened up with a 313 and Winkowska responded with a 313 as well. Bruna seemed to hit more tricks straight off the start, while Winkowska built up her trick tally with an impressive Blind Judge 3 and huge S3.

Kajiya even earned the highest scoring trick in this competition for the women, with a S3, scored at 7.03. At the heat's end, and with a point spread of 28.56 to 21.52, Winkowska came out victorious, claiming the World Championship title for 2012.

2012 PKRA World Tour Freestyle Rankings:
 
Men
1. Youri Zoon (NED)
2. Alex Pastor (ESP)
3. Alberto Rondina (ITA)
 
Women
1. Karolina Winkowska (POL)
2. Bruna Kajiya (BRA)
3. Gisela Pulido (ESP)


 

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