Tio targets back-to-back kiteboarding crowns

MANILA, Philippines—Christian Tio guns for a second straight Freestyle crown while Norway’s Malin Amle eyes another Hangtime plum as action in the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 2 resumes today in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The three-day event ending Sunday actually serves as the final leg of a four-stage circuit organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association, guaranteeing an all-out battle of tricks and kiteboarding skills from a crack international field.

The 13-year-old Boracay-based Tio scored a breakthrough in the third leg in Camarines Sur last month, upstaging French champ Pierre Vogel and local aces Reynard Gajisan and Doque delos Santos for the men’s Freestyle crown.

Amle, meanwhile, defends her Hangtime crown against an equally talent-laden field with the Norweigian champ, ranked No. 15 in the PKRA world tour, also aiming for the Freestyle and TwinTip Race titles in the event backed by Cabrinha and LIP Sunglasses.

Julia Tausch of Austria boosts the elite cast as she shoots for a second Freestyle crown after topping the kickoff leg of the tour last January.

Another Austrian ace Daniel Meissner is also in the fold along with local ace Paula Rosales and Swede champ Atte Kappel.