Running from 20th June to 6th July, Tarifa, Spain, played host to the Qatar Airways GKA Big Air World Championships: the first standalone Big Air World Championships in kiting that would host the twintip, strapless and emerging hydrofoil disciplines at the same event.
At the southernmost point in Spain, Tarifa holds an extraordinary place in wind sports history and is among the world’s best kiting locations when it comes to planning for a one-off world championship in which the desire is to go big. This event was the first since the GKA Kite World Tour partnered with their new headline sponsor, Qatar Airways, on a three-year deal to help push kite sports to new heights and new locations. Thanks to the extra support, the GKA hosted its first Kite Expo, attracting kiters from all over the world to meet the pro teams and get their hands on the industry’s latest equipment.
The third and final component run by the GKA during this huge event in Tarifa was their very first Awards night. On an exciting and star-studded evening, 300 industry representatives, riders and special guests came together to celebrate some of the finest achievements in kiting. Confirming their incredible performances over the last 12 months, two riders claimed the evening’s top awards: 17-year-old Brazilian Mikaili Sol, the current and four-time Freestyle World Champion, walked away with the Women’s Best Move and Rider of the Year Award.
