Dominican Jose Luis Ciriaco, Puerto Plata-born and bred in Cabarete, placed third in the 14-20 June Cabarete Kiteboarding World Cup event. Ciriaco thus became the first Dominican to be ranked in the world?s top three in the sport. His girlfriend, Cabarete resident Suzi Mai, another contender for one of the top three posts in the women?s division, didn?t make it this time.
Top two winners this year were Jaime Herraiz from Spain, followed by world cup leader, Aaron Hadlow from the UK. In the women?s division, Cindy Mosley defeated Angela Peral from Spain and Kristin Boese from Germany. In an interview for El Caribe newspaper shortly after the tournament finals, third-place winner Ciriaco said that his victory has a message in it for the country. ?We are doing different kinds of sports that contribute to the good name of the country in tourism, and that is something that has to be taken into account,? he said, advocating more emphasis on sports tourism. Ciriaco said that next on his competition agenda is a race in the cold waters of Germany.
Mauricio Toscani, president of the PKRA, the Professional Kiteboarders Riders Association, told El Caribe, ?This [Cabarete] is the best place in the Caribbean for kiteboarding. Given its natural conditions, it is preferred by kitesurfers the world over,? he said.
He said the future is bright for Dominican kiteboarders, too. ?With four competitors among the best 32 in the world, the Dominican Republic is right up there with the best and it is just a matter of time before many kiteboarding athletes take up residence in the country and make this sport their passion and lifestyle. And I have been told many Dominican youths are already very good,? he told El Caribe.
For a photo of Dominican Jose Luis Ciriaco, see:
http://www.cabareteevents.com/kiteboard2004/en/
Results at http://www.cabareteevents.com/kiteboard2004/en/results.html