Matchu Lopes defeated Patri McLaughlin to claim the Mauritius Strapless Kitesurfing Pro 2016, at Le Morne Kite Beach.
It's been a long time since wave kitesurfing had a proper world tour. But the newly-formed Global Kitesports Association (GKA) - one of the many "rebel" circuits holding international kite competitions - has just run its third event of the season in the Indian Ocean.
Strapless kitesurfing has always been a popular discipline, and when the wave conditions get challenging, all you need is good riders and steady winds. This time, the final had a Cape-Verdean athlete and a Hawaiian competitor.
The waves were relatively scarce, so it would be important to get the best roller of the set. McLaughlin tried to hunt down a barrel and got one, but it was not enough comparing to Lopes' performance.
"Patri is a big wave rider. He just goes, does it and makes it. I just went out there, enjoyed the moment, and tried to get the best of it - to make my two waves and get another one. I wanted to make something special, and I just feel good. So stoked about it, man!" expressed Matchu Lopes.
"I've never done well here in competition before. It's my second time competing here. My first time was four years ago, and I was so scared about the waves and the conditions; it was big, insane, and crazy. Now, for the second time being here, I don't believe that I've got this win. I still think that you guys are joking with me!"
The final events of the GKA Wave & Strapless Tour will be held in Dakhla (Morocco), and Fortaleza (Brazil).
GKA Wave & Strapless Tour 2016 | Top 5 After Mauritius
1. Matchu Lopes, 2800
2. Airton Cozzolino, 2500
3. Paulino Pereira, 2300
4. Jan Marcos Riveras, 1750
5. Ralph Boelen, 1680