Non seeks ICTSI kiteboarding repeat

MANILA, Philippines - Julius Non sets out for another big weekend against a crack international field out to foil his back-to-back title bid as action in the third leg of the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 3 got under way yesterday in Anguib, Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley.

Non, from Soloviento, Caliraya, marked his return to the kiteboarding scene in emphatic fashion in Boracay last month, flaunting near-flawless riding skills to beat Bong Fernando, Ronnel Mateo and former winners Doque delos Santos and Christian Tio for the men’s Twin Tip crown.

But his rivals are all geared up to foil his repeat bid, ensuring a thrilling battle for top honors in the three-day event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association.

The Red Bull-backed Tio, however, won’t be around due to a death in the family.

But the title chase is expected to be as fierce as ever along with those in the categories with a number of top European riders joining the event backed by Cabo Engano, NCGAC, Ceza, NPR, CGAL, Ropali, Construcao, Saharra, Delimondo, SIA, First Cagayan, SunCity, Ikimoto, XTD, LGU Sta. Ana, Yashiromaru and Meridien Vista.

Lisa Nikitina of Russia also seeks to defend not just one crown but two, including the Twin Tip and Freestyle but the Russian rider braces for a tough outing this time, against the likes of Germans Kathrin Bogwardt and Franziska Limmer, Viola Kaukonen of Finland, Julia Castro from Denmark, and local bets Mary Jane Gajisan and Liezl Tio.

Aside from Twin Tip and freestyle play for both men and women, the event, the penultimate leg of a four-stage circuit, will also showcase adrenaline-filled competition in the race category for men, women and Masters (40-above) and novice.

The tour winds up at Cuyo Island, Palawan on March 11-13.

The event, according to PKA president Jay Ortiz, is expected to benefit not only the Filipino riders who get to raise their level competing against world-class foreign bets but also Philippine tourism as a whole.

“By doing this tour, we’re not only discovering new talents but also building tourism for the country since we feature some of the new and exciting kitesurfing destinations all over the archipelago. With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines has a lot of kitesurfing spots to offer,” Ortiz said.