TESTDuotone dominates GKA 2026 at Ponta Preta: Carew and Ribeiro champions in Cape Verde
The first stop of the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour 2026 has sent a very clear message: the Duotone team arrives this season in exceptional form. From 16 to 21 February, the legendary Ponta Preta wave (Sal, Cape Verde) was the stage for an intense week in which James Carew (AUS) and Sebastian Ribeiro (BRA) were crowned joint champions, with Matchu Lopes (ESP) completing a Duotone hat-trick on the podium.
What exactly happened in Cape Verde?
Ponta Preta is one of the most demanding waves on the tour: powerful, consistent and with wind that can change in minutes. This edition added an extra difficulty: marginal wind conditions for much of the week that put both the riders' technique and the quality of their gear to the test.
James Carew was a model of consistency all week: 13.23 points in his first heat, advancing round by round in total control. In the semi-finals, an 8.33-point wave made it clear that the Australian is at the best moment of his career. Sebastian Ribeiro, meanwhile, produced the most brilliant moment of the event with a wave scored at 8.97 points — one of the highest single scores of the whole competition.
The most exciting quarter-final duel was Matchu Lopes (ESP) against reigning champion Airton Cozzolino. With the sunset light over Ponta Preta, the Spanish rider strung together a 7.53 and a 6.10 back to back to knock out one of the best in the world. A result that reaffirms why Duotone currently has the most complete team on the tour.
The technical factor: what gear did they use?
Results in marginal wind conditions are no coincidence: Duotone equipment is designed to perform across a very wide wind window. The Duotone Neo SLS kite — commonly used for wave riding — offers direct bar response and a range of use that lets you ride even when the wind drops. If you ride waves or are looking for a versatile kite for variable conditions, these are exactly the models that make the difference in competition.
Want to see the Duotone equipment available? At Popkite we are official Duotone dealers and have the 2025-2026 season models in stock:
What does this result mean for the 2026 season?
With three Duotone riders in the top 4 at the first stop, the Boards & More brand confirms that it not only has the best athletes, but also the most competitive gear. With reigning champion Pedro Matos (BRA) not on the tour this season, the title race is wide open — and Carew and Ribeiro start as the top favourites.
For those of us who follow the tour, this start to the season is a sign that the level of wave kitesurfing keeps rising. Every year the scores are higher and the manoeuvres more technical — an evolution that filters straight down to the gear the rest of us ride. What the pros use in competition today will be available to all of us tomorrow.
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Source: DUOTONE Kiteboarding Newsletter
