We have our finalists!

The day got off to a rather uncertain start at the One Eye Pro, with overcast skies and all forecasts pointing towards a rapid decline in surf and failing winds. KSP officials assessed conditions and made the call to resume competition late in the morning, which resulted in an afternoon of unforgettable performances.

Round 5 of the men’s draw began with pumping overhead surf and cranking winds. On a day defined by upsets, the men’s bracket was shaken up in the quarterfinal when young gun Luke McGillewie (RSA) took out event favorite Mitu Montiero (F-One, CPV) in a hotly contested battle. In another quarter final matchup, Patri Mclaughlin (North, USA), pulling into seemingly un-makeable barrels, defeated Guilly Brandao (Best, BRA) to advance into the semi-finals and continue the upset trend.

Airton Cozzolino (North, ITA) took down Keahi De Aboittiz (AUS) and Sebastian Ribiero (Best, BRA) on his way to the men’s final and will face the white-hot Hawaiian rider Mclaughlin in the finals of the One Eye Kite Surf Pro World Championship Tour Event when competition resumes.

On the women’s side, round 5, the semi-finals, and the 3rd place final were all contested in some of the best conditions seen on tour this year. Though the men began the day’s heats charging, the women did not disappoint in some of the most committed riding of the day. The increasing swell and strong wind did not intimidate standouts Ninja Bichler (North, GER) and Jalou Langeree (Naish, NED) who soundly defeated Ines Correia (POR) and Kirsty Jones (North, GBR), respectively, in the women’s semi-finals. Bichler and Langeree will meet in the final as soon as conditions allow. Jones handily defeated Correia in the 3rd place final to secure her position on the podium.

First call is at 10am tomorrow morning to continue the men’s and women’s finals to crown the champions of the 2012 One Eye Kite Surf Pro Mauritius, so tune in to the KSP Live Broadcast to watch all the action as it unfolds.