Overview
This Documentary film follows the journey of local rider Luis Alberto Cruz to the top of the podium at the 2016 Mai Tai Cabarete Freestyle Invitational (WKL) in the Dominican Republic. Produced with the support of his sponsor brand ‘Star Kiteboarding,’ the film vividly records the behind-the-scenes of one of the greatest upsets in kiteboarding history.
Background and Synopsis
The stage is Cabarete, one of the world’s premier kite spots, known for its strong winds and choppy waters. Luis, who grew up in a local area less frequented by tourists and passionately dedicated his days to kiteboarding in his home waters, suddenly steps onto the main stage where the world’s top riders gather. The film depicts him overcoming grueling consecutive heats of accumulated fatigue, seizing the biggest chance of his life in front of a massive local crowd. In the final trick of the final heat, under extreme pressure, the moment he perfectly lands a Hinterberger Mobe 7 (scoring 9.17) is the film’s greatest highlight.
Featured Riders
- Luis Alberto Cruz: The local hero from Cabarete.
- Liam Whaley: The previous year’s (2015) World Champion and the reigning absolute king ranked World No. 1 at the time.
- Carlos Mario: Ranked World No. 2 the previous year, the Brazilian monster who would go on to become World Champion in this 2016 season.
- Adeuri Corniel: A strong competitor from the Dominican Republic who advanced to the finals alongside Luis.
Impact and Legacy
The defeat of formidable opponents like Liam Whaley and Carlos Mario, who reigned as the world’s top-ranked riders at the time, by a local rider sent massive shockwaves through the kiteboarding industry. The film continues to inspire many fans and competitors today by proving to the world the overwhelming potential of unknown riders who earnestly hone their skills on local beaches, not just the star athletes touring the world.
Show detailed event results (Spoiler Alert)
1st: Luis Alberto Cruz – 33.00 pt
2nd: Carlos Mario – approx 32.20 pt
3rd: Liam Whaley – 31.90 pt
*In the final round, after Luis pulled off the trick of his life, a Hinterberger Mobe 7 (9.17 points), to take the lead with a total of 33.00 points, Carlos Mario landed a Heart Attack 5 (8.2 points) on his final attempt. However, it was not enough to overtake him, and Luis claimed a spectacular victory in front of his home crowd.
Search Aliases: Mai Tai Cabarete Freestyle Invitational 2016: Luis Alberto Cruz Documentary, MaiTaiCabareteFreestyleInvitational2016:LuisAlbertoCruzDocumentary