ICTSI kiteboarding under way in Daet

MANILA, Philippines - Kiteboarding action shifts to Daet, Camarines Norte beginning today with over 60 participants clashing for top honors in various divisions in the third leg of the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour-Season 2 in Bagasbas Beach.

Norwegian champion Malin Amle goes for back-to-back as she heads the elite field in the women’s freestyle event which also features Julia Tausch of Austria, who ruled the kickoff leg of the four-stage tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. in Anguib, Sta. Ana, Cagayan last month.

The Oslo native Amle flashed fast in-and-out tricks to capture the crown in last week’s second leg in Boracay, besting Japanese champion Aya Oshima and Tausch.

But Oshima, also the former freestyle Asian champion, and Tausch are expected to come up with new tricks in a bid to foil Amle, guaranteeing a thrilling battle for the crown in event sponsored by Cabrinha and LIP Sunglasses.

Thirteen-year-old Christian Tio also confirmed his participation in the three-day event, backed by Daet On The Go, Bagasbas Lighthouse Hotel, Mike’s Kite, Bigg’s Dinner and CBS Pineapple Soap, with the top junior kiteboarder raring to strut his wares in the men’s freestyle side.

Other events on tap are the TwinTip Race, featuring the Masters and the men’s and women’s categories, the Hang Time, and the Novice category, according to PKA president Jay Ortiz, who won the TwinTip Masters crown in Sta. Ata but settled for second in Boracay.

Meanwhile, Puerto Princesa will host the tour’s final leg on March 6-8 with a huge international field expected to see action. For details, call 632-638-9273 or 0917-4123888 or email [email protected] or [email protected] or facebook at philippinekiteboardingtour.