Event Overview
The 2018 World Kiteboarding Championships (WKC) Cumbuco was an elite freestyle competition held in Ceará, Brazil, in November 2018. As the final stop of the season, it officially crowned the world champions at Douro Beach. Cumbuco, known as a freestyle paradise, provided consistent trade winds and perfect flat-water conditions for the world’s best riders.
Men’s Freestyle
Local hero Carlos Mario secured his 2018 Men’s Freestyle World Championship title in front of a home crowd. He triumphed over Liam Whaley, Adeuri Corniel, and local wildcard Erick Anderson, who caused a major sensation by reaching the finals. Additionally, Gianmaria Coccoluto delivered a massive KGB 5 in the Small Final, marking one of the highest scores of the day.
Women’s Freestyle
14-year-old Mikaili Sol claimed the 2018 Women’s Freestyle World Championship title with a dominant score of 35.3. She secured multiple scores in the high 9s and landed the first Slim 5 ever seen in a women’s WKC heat, exciting her coach Fabio Ingrosso. Francesca Bagnoli and Pippa van Iersel rounded out the podium.
Accidents
Denmark’s Therese Taabbel suffered a heavy crash on her final attempt, leading to her elimination. Local wildcard Estefania Rosa also faced a dangerous moment when her leash wrapped around her arm during a failed Slim Chance attempt.
“I’ve been training the entire year for this and being world champion in the freestyle event really means a lot to me.”
— Mikaili Sol
Show Competition Results (Spoilers)
[Men’s Freestyle]
1st: Carlos Mario (Brazil)
2nd: Liam Whaley (Spain)
3rd: Adeuri Corniel (Dominican Republic)
4th: Erick Anderson (Brazil)
[Women’s Freestyle]
1st: Mikaili Sol (Brazil)
2nd: Francesca Bagnoli (Italy)
3rd: Pippa van Iersel (Netherlands)
4th: Estefania Rosa (Brazil)