GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde 2026

Carew (AUS) & Ribeiro (BRA) claim joint win at GKA Kite-Surf season kickoff || GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde 2026

The 2026 GKA Kite-Surf season once again opens in the iconic point break of Cape Verde’s Sal Island, with the title race set to be tighter than ever as it plays out over a scheduled five globe-trotting stops. In the women’s, World Champion Capucine Delannoy (FRA) was ready to start her title defence, while Brazil’s Kesiane Rodrigues was set to be her biggest rival in Cape Verde. However, Ponta Preta presented the GKA Kite-Surf elite with an unusually challenging forecast for this first event of the season and ultimately prevented the women’s competition from getting underway.

The men’s competition progressed to the semifinals, but as the sun dipped, daylight faded before the finals could be completed on the final day. The first GKA Kite-Surf World Cup of the season concluded with James Carew (AUS) and Brazil’s Sebastien Ribeiro sharing first place, while Matchu Lopes from Spain and Gabriel Benetton (BRA) secured joint third.

In the first semifinal, Australia’s James Carew faced Gabriel Benetton. Carew wasted no time, opening the heat with a powerful 8.33, while Benetton was steadily building his scoreline with two solid waves. Carew found another strong wave and extended his lead, sealing his place in the final. In the second semi-final Sebastien Ribeiro (BRA) was up against Spain’s Matchu Lopes. Both riders came out firing, quickly locking in two scores apiece. Then, in the final moments, Ribeiro dropped into a heavy set wave as the crowd erupted from the point. The score came in — 8.97 points. Lopes fought relentlessly to answer back, but time ran out.

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