TEAM NEWS: DOUBLE WORLD PODIUM IN KITE-SURF FOR GONG!

Airton Cozzolino and Serena Luz finish the season ranked second and third in the world!

The 2025 GKA Kite-Surf World Tour wrapped up in Taíba, Brazil, in an electrifying atmosphere. After a false start on the first day, launched and then canceled due to unsatisfactory conditions, the real action finally began for the 24 men and 16 women competing for the last trophy of the year.

Among them: Airton Cozzolino, the championship leader ahead of Pedro Matos, joined by his GONG teammates Yaris Dellomo and Anaël Beauchesne. On the women’s side, Clémence Derrien and Serena Luz were also aiming for a spot on the world podium.

Kitesurfer: Airton, GONG team rider, on a Lethal PU board, with an Elips kite and FeelX bar. Photo: GKA.

Head-to-Head for the Title by the Third Round!

While the top seeds advanced smoothly through the first round, despite modest scores in tricky conditions, the surprise came in the final heat: Airton Cozzolino was defeated by Artur Morais, who posted the best score of the day! Despite a solid effort, Airton was relegated to Round 2, where he had to win to stay in the title race.

The six-time world champion wasted no time in striking back. He decisively beat Frenchman Oscar Perrineau before facing Pedro Matos, his closest rival for the title, in the very next round. A crucial showdown, and earlier than anyone expected. Airton took an early lead, maximizing two small waves with his signature energy. Both riders then hunted for the wave that would make the difference. Pedro Matos found two gems in a row, executing ultra-smooth series of turns finished off with perfectly landed air reverses. He won by a single point, bringing Airton’s excellent season to an end, securing him the title of 2025 Vice World Champion.

In the final, Pedro Matos met Artur Morais, Airton’s earlier opponent. The duel between the two Brazilians quickly swung in favor of the underdog, who claimed his first-ever World Tour victory. Pedro Matos, meanwhile, clinched the 2025 World Champion title.

Kitesurfer: Airton, GONG team rider, on a Lethal PU board, with an Elips kite and FeelX bar. Photo: GKA.

Consistency and world podium

On the women’s side, Serena Luz delivered a model season of consistency and determination. Always reaching the semifinals this year, she shone through her technical mastery and unique flow. She finishes 3rd in the world, behind Capucine Delannoy (World Champion) and Kesiane Rodrigues (Vice Champion). Clémence Derrien finishes 6th overall after a season of top-five finishes at every event.

From Cape Verde to Taíba, 2025 was a year of outstanding performances for the GONG team, feats that make us incredibly proud and excited for the season ahead. With a hyper-motivated team perfectly in tune with their gear, these results are just a taste of what’s to come!

Kesiane Rodrigues, Capucine Delannoy, and Serena Luz. Photo: GKA.