Gollito Estredo won the second edition of the King of Maceio. The seven-time world champion won in front of Giovanni Passani and Yentel Caers.
Radical freestyle conditions at the King of Maceio event 2016
The King of Maceio was held on November 12th and 13th at Praia do Maceió, which is located west of Jericoacoara in Brazil. The event hosted a kite surf race and a freestyle competition. Like last year the main protagonists of the freestyle competition were international riders together with riders from Italy and some young Brazilians.
22 freestyle windsurfers gathered for the skippers meeting at 11 am on the beach of Maceio. The riders were competing for 3500 Reals prize money shared between the top 3 places, what’s around 950€.
The level was really high on the water. The eyes were all focused on the 7-times freestyle World Champion Gollito Estredo, but as well on the Belgian top freestyler Yentel Caers. Yentel, certainly one of the new hot shots in the international freestyle scene, has chosen Praia do Maceiò as one of his winter trainings destinations in 2016/2017. Swiss Loick Spicker and the local Brazilian riders Hugo de Souza, Jamilson de Souza, Jose ‘Santos, Klinton and Icarus-Jeff showed great form. Giovanni Passani, Riccardo Marca, Rossel Bertoldo and Gigi Madeddu were the four Italian windsurfers in the competition, who tried to challenge the top fleet.
King of Maceio event 2016
The freestyle competition was supervised by the legendary Italian freestyler Gigi Le Carrò, always ready and willing to contribute to the growth of freestyle windsurfing. The conditions on the water were perfect: steady wind, 1 meter high waves to jump on starboard tack and enough flat space in between to show tricks, from freestyle sliding single to combo moves and air moves.
The winners final
Giovanni Passani and Gollito Estredo made it into the winners final. The Italian sailed strongly and challenged the Venezuelan with an Air Skopu, Spock Culo and Air Funnel. But Gollito responded with Double Air Culos and Air Chachos winning the final. The 7 times freestyle World Champion was crowned King of Maceiò 2016 at the end of an amazing windy day and one single elimination. Giovanni Passani got second and Yentel Caers finished in 3rd.
The organizers stated: “The King of Maceiò 2016 again showed the importance of this competition, which seems to become an important event for many international pro riders from Europe or other continents and strong local riders. The wind was great again and the 4.2m was the most used sail size during the competition day. Aditionall there was a beautiful super session during sunset. Six finalists had a hard battle for the victory. Even this last session was won by Gollito Estredo with a double Air Culo. The World Champion showed his great skills and great form at the end of the season 2016! A big thanks goes to Omar and Flavio, owners of Kite Zen and organizers of the event, to Gigi Le Carro’, Max Settani, Max Grandi, Henry Macho. Thanks also for the support to Marcolino and Fabrizio Fozzi, who helped to ensure the success of the event. Thanks even to Luca Amadori of the Pousada Windjeri for bringing his athletes to the competition.”
King of Maceio 2016 winner
King of Maceió 2016 – Results
Freestyle competition (single elimination):
1. Gollito Estredo
2. Giovanni Passani
3. Yentel Caers
Super session
1. Gollito Estredo (Double Air Culo)
2. Josè Santos (Air Skopu)
2. Rossel Bertoldo (Back loop)
2. Loick Spicker (Air Kabi)
2. Yentel Caers (Double Forward)
2. Jamilson De Souza (Push loop)
2. Icaro-Jeff (Stalled Forward)
