In the first week of may it was time for me to head back to Saint Pierre la Mer in the south of France for the EJKC aka European Junior Kite Championship. It’s the third year in a row that i was there to shoot the event and catch up with some friends living in europe.
This year it was quite different, not many dutch competitors and wind from the mountain side instead of sea wind.
EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 02 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit
Spain has always a “team” of riders at this event where you can have a lot of fun with.
Almost complete spanish team at the EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 02 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit
Spanish riders getting wet at the EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 04 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit
After a start with no wind where the riders where enjoying the lake it was time for the competition. A long day where they started with the 14-15 year old boys and 16-19 year old boys single elimination. At the end it was time for the dingle elimination for the 9-13 year old boys and the girls.
I’ve spent most of my time on the 14-15 and 16-19 years old competition where the level was very high. Not surprising when you know that some riders are already trying to compete in the KTE & PKRA.
The Belgium rider Jerome Cloetens (who lives in Spain) was the winner for the 14-15 year old boys single elimination, UK rider Oliver Bridge was 2nd and Maximilian Gomez was 3rd. For the 16-19 years 1st place for Linus Erdmann (German), 2nd Antoine Fermon (French), 3rd Valentin Garat (French), 4rd Tonijuan (Spain)
The next morning it was a slow start while waiting for the wind to pickup so the double could be started for the 14-15 and 16-19. Noe Font was in the 14-15 year category really on fire after winning 6 heats in a row he was stopped by Jerome Cloetens in the final. I think Noe is a rider who has really shown how to ride a steady heat again and again.
Spanish Rider Noe Font at the EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 04 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit
North rider Jerome Cloetens just after winning his heat against Best rider Noe Font for the 14-15 year old boys title at the EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 04 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit
In the 16-19 year Valentin Garat didn’t have a good heat and lost from Tonijuan while Antoine Fermon was riding better in the low wind conditions so the took over the first place after winning twice from Linus Erdmann.
Podium photo’s
1st place Jerome Cloetens, 2nd place Noe Font, 3rd place Oliver Bridge for the 14-15 year old boys at the EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 05 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit
Podium for the Girls. 1st place Pauline Valesa, 2nd place Julia Castro and 3rd place Isabeau Galiart EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 05 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit (Reinout Smit/Photo: Reinout Smit)
1st place Antoine Fermon, 2nd place Linus Erdmann and 3rd place Oliver Bridge for the 16-19 year old boys at the EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 05 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit (Reinout Smit/Photo: Reinout Smit)
1st place Tom Bridge, 2nd place Guy Bridge and 3rd place for Javier Jimenez for the 9-13 year old boys at the EJKC/European Junior Kite Championship 2013 at SN kite, Saint Pierre la Mer, France on 05 May 2013. Photo: Reinout Smit
More photo’s can be found in the EJKC 2013 gallery
