Seb Garat and Julien Kerneur 2011 KTE Champions!
Garat and Kerneur crowned European Champions
RRD Team rider Sebastian Garat wins of the final stop of the Kitesurf Tour Europe in St. Gilles Croix de Vie, Vendée, France and is crowned European Freestyle Champions 2011. Seven days of spectacular competitions, varying wind conditions and beautiful waves at the beach of St. Gilles Croix de Vie came to a fabulous end today when the European Champions in Kiteboarding Freestyle as well as the winners of the Kitesurf Tour Europe in Course Racing were crowned.
In men freestyle, the fight for the title was incredibly close. German rider Mario Rodwald won the KTE Germany in the challenging conditions of Sylt leaving RRD team rider Seb Garat in 2nd place. The light conditions at the KTE Italy in Lamezia asked for completely different skills and it was again Mario and Seb meeting in the final sharing a first place to a lack of wind. Therefore it all came down to the KTE France in St. Gilles Croix de Vie in the Vendée region - the one who wins in France will be European Champion! In the single eliminations, Mario and Seb made their way to the final and with a view on the wind forecast, it was pretty clear that this heat would decide who is going to take the title. Seb showed an impressive front mobe, 313 and blind judge 3 while Mario performed a beautiful s-bend blind, 313 and backmobe but crashed his kite in the waves still leaving the judges with a tough decision. In the end, the French took the win in the singles and al though the doubles were started on day 6, the wind dropped at the fight for 5th place.
Congrats to Seb Garat, European Champion in Kiteboarding Freestyle 2011 and to Mario Rodwald on second as well as Tijn van Esch on third place.
On the Racing side, RRD French racer Julien Kerneur made his way to the Vendée region with the clear mission to win the Kitesurf Tour Europe in the Course Racing division. Julien won 2 out of 4 races but was defeated by Dutch racer Rolf van der Vlucht who scored a better overall ranking. Nevertheless, Julien Kerneur remains the leader in the overall tour ranking 2011 and celebrates his victory on the podium in the sun of St. Gilles Croix de Vie.
Seb Garat - KTE 2011 European Freestyle Champion
“Riding my Obsession Pro C Kite and the Brand New «Style 41» Freestyle Board I was able to express myself at the highest level on this last stage of the KTE in France, in St Gilles Croix de Vie.
The fight for the title was incredibly close.
After Germany and Italy, the last stage of the KTE was the one who would crown the European Champion Between Mario Rodwald and me. Basically, the one who would won France would be European Champion.
I had a kind of pressure before the event, and I was really full on, and wanted to give everything for my French Supporters, Family, Friends and Public.
This wind was just blowing on the first day, allowing to complete the single elimination.
In the single eliminations, Mario and me made our way to the final and with a view on the wind forecast, it was pretty clear that this heat would decide who is going to take the title.
So my Motivation to win this title was just Massive! With some impressive tricks I was able to take the victory …and the European Title as well!
Seb
Julien Kerneur - KTE 2011 European Racing Champion
“During all the season I’ve been riding on RRD Race Boards and RRD Kites.
In Germany, I was on the 1st prototype of the K-Race 70. Few months later, for the final in France, I had the K-Race 70 Production board and the brand new Addiction MK III.
The Final in France was very interesting and challenging, wind conditions were very light, with big and powerful swell.
It was a challenging battle with riders coming from All Europe: Poland, Italy, Spain, Netherland, Germany, France...
I’ve been consistent on all the races all the season, and finally I take the 1st place of the KTE 2011.
All in all I’m very happy about my season:
2011 France Champion
2011 European Champion
2011 KTE Racing Champion
2011 PKRA Race Champion
2011 IKA Race Champion (to be confirmed in a few days)
Thanks to my principal sponsor RRD.
