MANILA, Philippines - Christian Tio hopes to sustain his awesome form as he guns for a second straight Freestyle crown while Norway’s Malin Amle eyes another Hangtime plum as action in the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour-Season 2 resumes today in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The three-day event ending Sunday actually serves as the final leg of a four-stage circuit organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association and sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., guaranteeing an all-out battle of tricks and kiteboarding skills from a crack international field.
The 14-year-old Boracay-based Tio scored a breakthrough in the third leg in Camarines Sur last month, upstaging French champ Pierre Vogel and local aces Reynard Gajisan and Doque delos Santos for the men’s Freestyle crown.
Amle, meanwhile, defends her Hangtime crown against an equally talent-laden field with the Norwegian champ, ranked No. 15 in the PKRA world tour, also aiming for the Freestyle and TwinTip Race titles in the event backed by Cabrinha and LIP Sunglasses.
Julia Tausch of Austria boosts the elite cast as she shoots for a second Freestyle crown after topping the kickoff leg of the tour, supported by the City of Puerto Princesa, the Emerald Playa and Nature Park, Microtel by Wyndham, Kuyba Alomoneca Meditation Garden, Printhub Solution, Chez Rose Beach Bar and Restaurant, Katabom Bar, Blue Palawan Resort and Fluidsurf, in Sta. Ana, Cagayan last January.
Another Austrian ace Daniel Meissner is also in the fold along with local ace Paula Rosales and Swede champ Atte Kappel, who foiled Ortiz to capture the TwinTip Race Masters crown in Camarines Sur.
Meanwhile, Ortiz said this year’s tour is part of PKA’s continuing effort to promote the sport and showcase the Philippines as one of Asia’s top kitesurfing destinations.
“This tour is aimed at producing future kiteboarding champions and at the same time promote the sport and the country’s pristine beaches, exotic locals and great tourist attractions,” said Ortiz.
For details, call 632-638-9273 or 0917-4123888 or email PKAtour@yahoo.com or joanne3santos@hotmail.com or facebook at philippinekiteboardingtour.