Fernando, Tio stamp class in ICTSI kiteboarding

Boracay’s Bong Fernando charged back to stun fancied Atte Kappel of Sweden and snare the men’s Masters class crown while homegrown star Christian Tio took the Freestyle title in the fifth ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour in Lakawon island off the coast of Cadiz Viejo, Negros Occidental recently.

Fernando trailed Kappel, a Flysurfer team rider currently ranked among the top Twin Tip Racing riders in the world, in the first day but struck back in the next to draw level then dominated the final round to rule the centerpiece event in the Twin-Tip Slalom Cross Racing. Jay Ortiz, president of the organizing Philippine Kiteboarding Association and Cabrinha rider, placed third.