Cabarete Kite-boarder Wins in France

Sixteen-year-old Ariel Corniel showed his talent by winning the Free-Style category in the tenth edition of the World Championship Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT) 2008, which took place April 29 to May 4 in France.
The action, which took place in St. Gilles Croix de Vie, Vendee, west France, attracted 49 competitors from around the world. The Dominican Republic was well represented aside from Ariel with local boarders Alex Soto, Jan Marcos Rivera, Alberto Peralta, Juan Carlos Morel and Enmanuel Rondón also taking part in the competition.
Jan Marcos Rivera won third place in the Wave Master category taking home a 1200 euro prize and Alex Soto took 4th position and a 600 euro prize.
Enmanuel Rondón won second place in the Best Trick category after previously winning first place in the High Jump category in Brazil in September 2007.
Ariel now leads in this competition with 1200 points, but he may not be able to attend the next KPWT leg in Greece as he intends to defend his title in the PKRA in Cabarete which starts 24th June.
José Armando Mieses, Vice President of the Cabarete Association of Kite Surfing, thanked the Secretary of Sports, Felipe Jay Payano, for financing the team's trip to France.
"For the first time, the tickets, accommodation and food were paid for,” said Mieses. “Without this, the Dominican team would not have been able to take part in this international competition.”
RESULTS
Free Style - 1st place Ariel Corniel (RD), 2nd Jesse Richman (U.S.), and 3rd Antoine Auriol (FR)
Best Trick - 1st place Thomas Paris (FR), 2nd Enmanuel Rondón (RD) and 3rd Leander Vyvey (BEL)
Wave Masters – 1st place Abel Lago (SP), 2nd place Mitu Monteiro (CV), 3rd place Jan Marcos Rivera (RD), 4th place Alex Soto (RD)