Overview
The 2019 “GKA Prea (Ceará Kite Pro)” was a Kite-Surf (strapless) discipline event held in Prea, Brazil. Under perfect high-wind conditions, it became a historic battle highlighting the rise of young talent and a tenacious challenge against the reigning champion.
Location and Conditions
The venue, the famous “Rancho do Peixe” hotel in Prea, has a history that began 15 years ago with a small vision shared by three windsurfing friends, which eventually evolved into a global watersports mecca. Prea experiences strong, steady winds of around 30 knots from the same direction every day. It is often described as “basically just a hairdryer being switched on every day,” making it an absolute paradise for strapless competition.
Format and Competitors
The biggest highlight of the tournament was the strapless debut of 15-year-old Mikaili Sol, the undisputed queen who had already won the twin-tip freestyle world championship three times. Astonishingly, she had only practiced strapless riding for about 10 days to two weeks prior to the event. Additionally, French siblings Camille and Capucine Delannoy competed at their home spot in Prea, where their parents run a local posada. Notably, 13-year-old Capucine, who had made her tour debut the previous year, also competed and drew significant attention.
Highlights and Showdowns
In the Women’s division, Mikaili Sol stunned everyone by dropping a massive 9.0 in the very first round of day one. Brushing aside her minimal practice time, she showed overwhelming potential and fed off the local support to achieve a shocking overall victory in her debut. Meanwhile, local talent Capucine Delannoy put on an incredible performance in the double elimination to fight her way up and secure 4th place, proving to the world her terrifying potential as a future world champion.
The Rivalry: Ayrton vs. Camille
In the Men’s division, the fierce rivalry between absolute champion Airton Cozzolino and local favorite Camille Delannoy drove the crowd wild. In the previous year’s (2018) single elimination at the same event, an 18-year-old Camille caused a historic upset by defeating the reigning champion, Ayrton. It was a monumental achievement for Camille, as Ayrton had only tasted defeat in pure strapless freestyle three times over the previous three years.
Entering 2019, Camille, after battling through the double elimination, challenged the single elimination winner Ayrton in the final. In the First Final, fueled by passionate local support, Camille emerged victorious, handing the champion another defeat. However, because the rules required the challenger to win twice to take the title, the battle came down to one last heat: the decisive Super Final.
View Detailed Results and Super Final Outcome (Spoilers)
In the ultimate Super Final, Ayrton narrowly claimed victory with 40.57 points against Camille’s 39.00—a margin of just 1.57 points—securing his title defense in a dramatic turnaround.
Men’s Kite-Surf Final Results
- 1st: Airton Cozzolino (Italy / Cape Verde)
- 2nd: Camille Delannoy (France)
- 3rd: James Carew (Australia)
- 4th: Mitu Monteiro (Cape Verde)
Women’s Kite-Surf Final Results
- 1st: Mikaili Sol (Brazil)
- 2nd: Carla Herrera Oria (Spain)
- 3rd: Marcela Witt (Brazil)
- 4th: Capucine Delannoy (France)
Best Trick Division
- Men’s Winner: Airton Cozzolino
- Women’s Winner: Carla Herrera Oria
Search Aliases: Ceara Kite Pro, CearaKitePro