Local riders steal spotlight

Jing Gajisan bested a tough international field to snare the women’s Twin Tip Race crown while Doque delos Santos foiled Julius Non’s back-to-back title drive in the men’s Twin Tip side in the third leg of the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 3 held recently in Anguib, Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley.

Gajisan put on a dazzling show to earn 4.0 nett and beat Boracay leg winner Lisa Nikitina of Russia, who finished with 11.0 with Slovenian Sabrina Savnik placing third with 12.0.

Julia Castro struggled and turned in a 15.0 nett effort but the ace Spanish rider made up for this by winning the Freestyle crown, edging Nikitina in a thrilling duel with Savnik and Gajisan finishing third and fourth, respectively.

Slovenian Jaka Komocar reigned in the men’s Freestyle, foiling local bets Dong Manuel and Bong Fernando and MJ Cahilig of Kingfisher Pagudpud in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association.

A former winner, Delos Santos recalled his fierce form for a 4.0 nett score, nipping Boracay stage champion Non in the Twin Tip race. Sassan Moscoso had 10.0 nett for third while MJ Cahilig and Jessie Bernardino took the next two places with 14.0 and 15.0 nett, respectively.

Sboy Garcia scored 3.0 nett to capture the novice men’s diadem, beating Dong Manuel and Ronald Obligacion, who scored 7.0 and 8.0 nett, respectively.