Swede, Philippines aces seek ICTSI kiteboard repeat

MANILA, Philippines – Atte Kappel of Sweden and local bet Doque delos Santos go for back-to-back victories as they banner another crack international field vying in the second leg of the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 3 which got under way at Aqua Boracay yesterday.

Kappel bested Philippine Kiteboarding Association president Jay Ortiz in the kickoff leg of the four-stage $40,000 circuit in Siargao last month with the Swede ace tipped as the rider to beat again in the centerpiece Masters Twin Tip Race on his Flysurfer.

But Ortiz and a slew of top riders from Australia, Germany and Poland are raring to foil his bid and fuel their own campaign in the three-day event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc and organized by PKA.

Delos Santos also looms as the rider to beat in the Twin Tip Division after turning in five aces in five races to dominate the Siargao stop of the event sponsored by Cabrinha, GreenYard, Aqua Boracay, Coca-Cola, Sailor Jerry, Municipality of Malay, Freestyle Academy, Vaavud, Lemon Café, Valhalia, Double Dragon Apparel and By Da Way, which hosted the opening night Thursday.

Germany’s Kathrin Bogwardt, meanwhile, tries to improve on her runner-up finish to Jing Gajisan in the women’s Twin Tip section of the event supported by The Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast, Blue Bayou, Ultimate Apparel and Boracay Sun Cruiser. World junior No. 2 Christian Tio braces for a repeat showdown with Delos Santos in the freestyle event.

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Tio and Delos Santos shared top honors in Siargao after the final day was called off due to lack of wind. But with the condition expected to be at its toughest in Boracay, organizers expect a thrilling duel for top honors in various categories, including the Hangtime competition of the event backed by Hoy, Panga, Boracay Box and Ladder, Surf Kitch, Area 51 Boracay, Damiana’s, Lokal Snack Bar, BoomBoom Bar, Boracay Water, Pats Bar, Your Local Shop, Palassa Spa and Dos Mestizos with PCTV, My Life on Board and Boracay Sun as media partners.

Meanwhile, Cagayan will host the penultimate leg on Feb. 12-14 before the circuit winds up in Cuyo Island in Palawan on March 11-13.