Mykonos Daily | Day one

Summary

Kitesurf365 Podcast – "Mykonos Daily | Day One"

Date: June 19, 2026
Host(s): Jason & Ben (standing in for main host Adrian Kerr)
Location: GK Big Air Championships, Mykonos

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Episode Overview

This special "Mykonos Daily" episode captures the action, stories, and key moments from the first day of the GK Big Air Championships in Mykonos. Jason and Ben, on-site and in the thick of kiteboarding's most electric event, speak with rising stars, seasoned competitors, and even event officials to dissect an action-packed start—including notable upsets, hardware drama, and technical discussion on kiteboarding tactics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. General Competition Atmosphere

• Unusual Day: The hosts admit it's the "least big air" day they've experienced for a major event, partially because they were sidetracked by a shoot.

  • "We haven't actually watched too much of this competition day. I think this is the least big air I've actually seen in a long time." – Ben [00:18]

• Event Mayhem: Mood is a mix of excitement, mayhem, and unpredictability, with up-and-comers battling established names.

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2. Standout Performances & Athlete Interviews

Finn Flugel: The Next-Gen Quarterfinals

• Tough Start, Strong Recovery:

  • Finn shares he was disappointed after his first heat but managed to land his key trick in the second and advance.
    • "First heat was not the best... but then got it. So yeah, pretty happy and they're ready for tomorrow." – Finn [01:33]

• Anticipation for the 'Quarterfinal of Death':

  • Upcoming heats pit Finn against fellow teen phenoms Maxwell Dahl ("he’s only 15!"), Leonardo "Baby Shark," and others.
    • "It's pretty much the next gen quarterfinal... everyone’s talking about it." – Ben [01:54]
  • "That would be epic, man. Like, with baby shark Leo, Max would be fire." – Finn [01:59]

• Triple Flips and Winds:

  • Finn discusses how he gauges a triple flip in the air and how wind direction influences his approach.
    • "Now I have the feeling so good... from the start, you kind of know, like, okay, I got it." – Finn [02:22]

Gisela Pulido: Return to Big Air

• Candid Self-Assessment:

  • Gisela admits her level is not where she wants it to be but is happy to be competing.
    • "Of course, like my level, I think it's quite okay to be here, but not as I wanted... I'm not used to riding so overpowered..." – Gisela [04:15]

• On Crashes & Consistency:

  • She’s transparent about her limits and the need to train more, especially with new technical moves.
    • "I have the level, I have the skills, I have the technique. I just don't have the consistency yet because I haven't been performing those tricks a thousand times." – Gisela [05:24]
  • "Estoy verde… like when the fruit is not, you know, not right to eat yet." – Gisela [06:19]

• Next Steps:

  • Plans more practice and aims to progress with "board off kite loops."
    • "Just practicing, practicing, practicing all over again... I have to maybe just spend more time on the water..." – Gisela [06:57]

Jason Van der Spee: Lighthearted Analysis

• Making the Cut & Upcoming Heats:

  • Jokes about being relieved to avoid elimination, previewing a deceptively tough heat with humor.
    • "It's always a lovely feeling not getting your ass kicked in round two... I've got a super easy one tomorrow, actually." – Jason Van der Spee [08:09]

• Conditions & Banter:

  • Describes conditions as tougher than expected. Banters with hosts and teases fellow rider Steezy Peetz.
    • "It was a lot tougher than I thought, to be honest. I think everyone was struggling to find it." – Jason Van der Spee [08:34]
    • "With all due respect... you're just not him." – Jason Van der Spee, about Peetz [09:21]

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3. Quarters & Heats Preview

• Men’s Heats:

  • Heats loaded with major names and rising stars—“the next five years”—making for unpredictable results.
    • "Literally the next gen that you... these are the names for the next five years." – Jason [11:11]
  • Detailed breakdown of quarterfinal matchups, incl. Jamie Overbeek, Maxwell Dahl, Yoshi San Ferreira, Leonardo Casadi, and more. [10:49-11:35]

• Standout Rider – Jeremy Bellando:

  • Noted for returning to form and showing confidence.
    • "If there’s been a best on beach, I think it's been him today. He's looked really, really good." – Ben [11:35]

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4. Judging, Technology, and Conditions

Maureen, Head Judge:

• Challenging Conditions:

  • Choppy, gusty, with variable wind making tricks and judging difficult.
    • "I think it was really challenging, honestly, for the riders." – Maureen [12:18]

• New Tech Features:

  • Real-time scoring on riders’ wristwatches, even if someone goes offline—a significant upgrade.
    • "We changed some of the logistics in the watch, that it now will show the watch scores even if one of the riders goes offline." – Maureen [13:30]

• Prize Money Update:

  • Total purse increased from €60,000 to €75,000; €18,000 to the winner.
    • "With that much money on the line, 18 grand for first place..." – Jason [13:12]

• Visual Judging Difficulties:

  • The action takes place far from shore—200-300m out—making it tough for both judges and fans on the beach to see.
    • "From the beach, this isn’t the place to watch. Guys, get up on the sides of the beach." – Ben [15:37]

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5. Technical Chat with Yucel Parallak

• Changing Equipment:

  • Yucel discusses altering his bar size and adapting to what the judges score.
    • "Yeah, this is a very long bar. But I will cut it now, actually. Yeah, I'll cut it to 18 for tomorrow." – Yucel [16:20]
    • "They're scoring it like it's Megaloop Challenge... So I guess they want a kite angle. So we'll do some kite angle." – Yucel [16:27]

• Overcoming Mishaps:

  • Details a bridle mix-up in round one, which he luckily corrected in round two.
    • "I put on the wrong bridles on my kite, so I was not able to land anything... I changed the bridles and was working good again." – Yucel [16:55]

• Travel Ordeals:

  • Epic travel saga involving multiple countries, lost luggage, and "three months, the same clothes."
    • "I took a flight to Tarifa. From Tarifa to Athens, Athens to Cyprus to drop off my board bag... grabbed some new clothes... it was fucking long." – Yucel [17:50]

• Innovation vs. Competition:

  • More interested in creative, big-mountain kiteboarding than competition.
    • "I just want to do very interesting and different stuff in the kite world. That's what I want to do." – Yucel [18:56]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gisela’s Form:
  "Estoy verde, like when the fruit is not... not right to eat yet." – Gisela Pulido [06:19]

• On Quarterfinals:
  "It's pretty much the next gen quarterfinal... I mean, the quarterfinal of death everyone’s talking about." – Ben [01:54]

• On Weather:
  "I think it's quite good like this. But yeah, it's a bit hard with the takeoff because if you get like too much of a yank, it's a bit hard to throw the ball and stuff..." – Finn Flugel [02:45]

• Van der Spee’s Humor:
  "It's always a lovely feeling not getting your ass kicked in round two." – Jason Van der Spee [08:09]

• On Cash:
  "The prize post this morning was 60,000, but I've heard that it's gone up to 75 today." – Jason [13:04]

• Judging with New Tech:
  "Even if one person crashes, everyone will still remain getting their scores. So I think that's quite nice for them." – Maureen [13:30]

• Yucel's Adventures:
  "I just grabbed some new clothes from Cyprus and took a flat here. So it was fucking long." – Yucel Parallak [17:50]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Finn Flugel Interview: [01:33–02:59]
• 'Quarterfinal of Death' Discussion: [01:46–03:32]
• Gisela Pulido Interview: [04:05–07:50]
• Jason Van der Spee Interview: [07:59–09:53]
• Quarterfinal Draw & Analysis: [09:53–12:06]
• Judging and Technology Segment (Maureen): [12:06–15:32]
• Yucel Parallak Interview: [16:02–19:13]
• Wrap Up / Closing: [19:15–End]

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Flow & Tone

The hosts maintain an informal, on-the-beach feel—conversational, stoked, self-deprecating, and peppered with candid athlete feedback. Interviews are spontaneous and often humorous, reflecting the close-knit, passionate kiteboarding circuit.

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Final Thoughts

Day one at Mykonos delivers upsets, wild conditions, breakthroughs from new talent, and honest admissions from legendary names. The "next generation" of kiteboarders is here, pushing the sport in new directions, but the prevailing sense is that both the event and the technology around it are evolving as fast as the riders themselves.

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Next up: More action, more innovation, and, perhaps, new world champions.

Transcript

[Ben]

We're wrapping up the first day of the GK Big Ear Championships. We haven't actually watched too much of this competition day. I think this is the least big air I've actually seen in a long time.

[Jason]

It felt really weird. We were busy doing a jet Bradshaw shoot around the corner, which, look at this gangster. It went very badly, but also very well in the same breath. But that's not what this podcast is about. We're gonna wrap up everything we've learned from day one. There's been some. There's been some mayhem. Who do you want to hear from? I really want to hear from Gisela Pulido.

[Ben]

Yeah, I mean, look, Gisela is like. I mean, we were fanboying out. I know we've talked about this a few times, but that was incredible meeting her. And I know we've spoken on the podcast and we've said hello a few times, but when she talks, I love how she engages you. She looks into your eye and she's very captivating. Look. I think superstars have that about them, you know?

[Jason]

Yeah, yeah, for sure. For sure. Let's go through the main headlines from today.

[Ben]

Well, let's talk about Finn Flugel, actually a little bit inconsistent. Crashed a lot. He's through, of course, but he had to do it the hard way. Probably not the way he wanted. We had a lot of guys go through that round, too. Andrea Principe again, going through round two. Finn Flugel. Bit of a tough day today, eh?

[Finn Flugel]

Yeah. First heat was not the best. Yeah. But, yeah, little sad. And then second heat came together a bit. Took some tries to land the flip of small, but then got it. So, yeah, pretty happy. And they're ready for tomorrow.

[Ben]

What about that quarterfinal? Oh, my.

[Finn Flugel]

Yeah, it will be fun, huh? With Leo, like all the youngsters. Youngster quarter final. Yeah, we'll be sick.

[Ben]

It's pretty much the next gen quarterfinal. I mean, the quarterfinal of death ever. Everyone's talking about it.

[Finn Flugel]

Yeah, that would be epic, man. Like, with baby shark Leo, Max would be fire.

[Jason]

Finn, you were. You were struggling at the start, but then you did that mad triple flip that must have given you so much confidence. When you're in the air, triple flipping, do you know you're going to get it every time, or is it a gamble? How risky is it?

[Finn Flugel]

I think you kind of know it from the start already, like, how much you have to throw it. Like now I have the feeling so good, like in the end, how much to throw. And then I think from the start, you kind of Know, like, okay, I got it. Or like, it's gonna be hard. You have to like reach that far. But usually I get it.

[Ben]

Do you find it easier to throw it in this wind with the wind straight behind you and blowing the board, or do you prefer a little bit of a crosswind for.

[Finn Flugel]

Depends. Actually, I think it's quite good like this. But yeah, it's a bit hard with the takeoff because if you get like too much of a yank, it's a bit hard to throw the ball and stuff, like the right way. But yeah, I mean, like, with the eight, it's much easier than the nine.

[Jason]

Alright, epic fit. Ben, thanks for talking to us and good luck tomorrow.

[Ben]

I mean, let's just talk a little bit about that quarterfinal that he's in. He's in a quarterfinal with Maxwell Dahl, Baby Shark, Leonardo and Fin Flugel. I mean, that is a crucial quarterfinal because Baby Shark said to me, he said to me today, said, maybe I can't beat Leo, but I think I can beat those other guys. Maxwell Dahl said to me, said, I got nothing to lose. I can just throw it out and have some fun. I. I mean, people are already talking about how high this guy's and people

[Jason]

are frothing on Maxwell Dahl. He's serious.

[Ben]

He's crazy.

[Jason]

He's a serious rider. And what age is he? Tell the people about Maxwell Dahl.

[Ben]

I mean, I've been speaking about that guy way too much. He's only 15. But interestingly, I mean, I just was speaking to Martin Kobrski. Very, very disappointed to go out. I just saw him talking to Michael, who's Baby Shark's mentor, and just. I think that'll be good for him, you know, to have someone who's a calming influence. He's done great wonders for Baby Shar. I'm looking for positive things about Martin going forward.

[Jason]

Gisela, I know it wasn't the result that you wanted, but it was fucking epic to see you back competing and in big air for the first time. How was it for you?

[Gisela Pulido]

It was all right. It was all right. I don't know. I don't know. Like, I feel like I have so much to improve, you know, like, of course, like my level, I think it's quite okay to be here, but not as I wanted. I'm not used to riding, like, so overpowered or with like, massive choppy and like, you know, I ride Balniario, very consistent, very confident. And here was like massive chops, very gusty, quite strong. I'm not used to being overpowered and Yeah, I guess I have just to train more and like. Yeah, I had a really good hit, to be honest. I was like riding against Francesca and Natalie, which were like the most, you know, like the other queens, basically both of them. And I think I did quite a good job starting with a. With a good laid back. But as I said, I have a lot to improve. The girls are reaping. I'm super happy that I got the chance to be here and see the level as well and see where I'm standing at the moment. And yeah, I'm really happy

[Jason]

you didn't mention your crash then. Do you think that did not affect you at all today or do you think maybe it was there?

[Gisela Pulido]

No, I think like, I'm like, just not my, my. I don't know how to say. Like, I have done. I haven't done as many handle passes. I've done as late bugs. Yeah, like, I've done like a thousand slings, a thousand front blinds, a thousand cables, surely more. And then like late bags. I've done 100 maybe, I don't know. And I pull super early the loop and it goes like massively, like slacky. And then like, of course with the sink with the gas still with. It's like a bit of a lottery. Which of course, of course if I landed this trick, it's going to score a lot, but it's not super consistent. So I feel like. I feel like I have the level, I have the skills, I have the technique. I just don't have the consistency yet because I haven't been performing those tricks a thousand times. And for me it's like super important to have them. Like, I can do it whenever I want. It doesn't matter with the 8, with the 7, with the 6 with 50, knowledge, 45 with 30, like all conditions, choppy, flat. This is for me when I will be like at the peak. Right now I'm like super green. I don't know how to say in English, but like you can say it

[Ben]

in Spanish if you want.

[Gisela Pulido]

Estoy verde, like when the fruit is not, you know, like, not right to eat yet. Of course I have competition experience and like what happened in the crash? I didn't really care. I was just like, okay, this is like I could just. I was not stressed or anything. It was just like really hard, like to ride a small kite with like quite a lot of wind and like choppy. So like I felt like I got dropped in the air a few times and yeah, this is just training, I guess.

[Jason]

Cool.

[Ben]

I know. I know you're bitterly disappointed and you were going for that board off. You know, that was something that I saw you pushing. I mean, what do you need to do to get those board off? Kite lobes consistently landed.

[Gisela Pulido]

Just practicing, practicing, practicing, practicing all over again. And I think as well like improve my pop a bit because as I said, my pop is a bit aggressive, especially with small kites. I send the kite too much, I think, and it's like yanking me a lot and I have to maybe just spend more time on the water and just be improve my pop from the beginning, from the start, which I think is going to help me to progress both sides because I was only jumping right, right in Tarifa until here, that I started to jump left and then I learned the doobie and kai lu contra here. So I was just doing the trick for the fifth time maybe. So I was like, I mean, what can I expect, you know? It is what it is.

[Jason]

I can't quite believe I've just heard that. That's amazing. Gisela, thanks for your time and yeah, we loved watching you out there. So we'll see you at the next one, which will be, I don't know,

[Gisela Pulido]

I mean, I'm gonna now go short lines and go try to go to the mega loop thingy, you know, like, I don'. Maybe I die.

[Jason]

Alright, thank you, Gisela. Okay, we got Jason Van der Spee on a moped, but I'm just calling him over. Jason, you've made it through today too. Are you happy with yourself?

[Jason Van der Spee]

It's fantastic. It's always a lovely feeling not getting your ass kicked in round two. It's happened a few too many times now.

[Jason]

Early start for you tomorrow and then who's in your heat? Are you looking forward to that?

[Jason Van der Spee]

I've got a super easy one tomorrow, actually. I'm quite thankful it's only Andrea Painless, Lorenzo and Zach.

[Jason]

Simple, straightforward.

[Jason Van der Spee]

No, it's fine. I'm not worried.

[Jason]

Exactly. Exactly. And how were the conditions today?

[Jason Van der Spee]

It was a lot tougher than I thought, to be honest. I think everyone was struggling to find it.

[Jason]

I wasn't.

[Jason Van der Spee]

Yeah, because you weren't even here.

[Jason]

I almost said.

[Jason Van der Spee]

You almost said your name, though. That was almost tragic. No, it was. It was okay.

[Jason]

The people know my name now.

[Jason Van der Spee]

Oh, yeah, you're not. You're not calling Carol Massaska Howard too.

[Jason]

Call me whatever, Ben.

[Jason Van der Spee]

I'm not going to say a full name.

[Jason]

I don't. Full name.

[Maureen]

That's ridiculous.

[Ben]

With his helmet on.

[Jason Van der Spee]

I'm happy.

[Jason]

Yeah, yeah. This is Live in situ. Okay. Anything else to say to the masses?

[Jason Van der Spee]

Alessa's got a real shot at kicking some ass. I think she's also got a real shot at winning that 18k prize check, of which I will be condoning or taking about 100% of it just because I'm bigger and stronger and there's nothing she can do about it. Quite literally.

[Jason]

Exactly. Straight jacket. Straight jacket, pretty much. And tell me about Steezy Peetz. How would he have fared in today's conditions?

[Jason Van der Spee]

You would have handled it quite well, to be honest with you. Actually, to be honest, it may be better that he just stays in the UK doing what he's doing, because if he was here, he probably would have seen the end of himself. To be honest with you, I don't think. Pete, if you're listening to this, I love you a lot, but there's just some people that are built for these conditions and you're just not him. With all due respect, I don't think

[Jason]

that is very respectful.

[Jason Van der Spee]

Mascot almost cut out as I said that as well. It's pretty respectful, to be honest. Pete is a man that appreciates honesty and I shall do nothing but that for Pete.

[Jason]

Okay, fair enough.

[Jason Van der Spee]

That's all I have to say. And I'm the leave now.

[Jason]

Okay, goodbye.

[Ben]

Goodbye, Ben, should we go through these round three.

[Jason]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ben]

This is the round.

[Jason]

Headlines give us know what the headlines. Giselle are out. What's the next headline?

[Ben]

Jamie's still in. Finn's still in. M looking really good.

[Jason]

I mean, Micah looking ridiculous.

[Ben]

But also Alyssa Minch still in as well. So you know that challenge for. That challenge of Alyssa to, to get there is still on. But let's talk about this. These quarter final heats for the men are absolutely ridiculous. In heat one of round three, Usul Parallak Hill, Vloot. Shahar Sabri, Jamie Overbeek heel. Very, very happy with his performance in round two. Disappointed about round one, but really turned it on. Yusul super happy.

[Jason]

He's on a new kite too. Brand new kite. I think that's a really, really good effort to be that under control and find some confidence on a brand new bit of kit.

[Ben]

Loving the rotor board, you know, the 135, which seems like a small board for a big guy, but he's super happy about that. Shahar Sabri, Jamie. But let's talk about this.

[Jason]

Jamie looked good. I thought Jamie beat Andrea in round his first round. Bloody epic.

[Ben]

What I liked about Jamie in round one is he did what he had to do. He didn't have to push the boat out. He didn't have to go too hard. He just went about his business. And that's the sign of a guy who feels comfortable where he is. And all day I've seen him around here, he's been looking really chilled. But round two, sort of heat two of round three is the real banger.

[Jason]

This is quarters. Quarters, Yep.

[Ben]

Maxwell Dahl, death heat. Finn Flugel, Yoshi San Ferreira, Leonardo Casadi. Literally the next gen that you. These are the names for the next five years.

[Jason]

Next quarter final, Jason Van der Spee, Andrea. Sorry, Principy. I'm so excited I can't say his name. Zach Adams and Lorenzo Casati. That is a ridiculous heat as well. All these quarters are killers. There must be some easier quarters coming up.

[Ben]

There's an easier one right here. If this is the quarter final, this is what you want to be in. And no offense to Parker, Sage, Hugo Wigglesworth or Steenmull, but Jeremy Bellando, I must admit, if there's been a best on beach, I think it's been him today. He's looked really, really good. He's been landing, he's been feeling good. It's the sort of Jeremy of old. It's the Jeremy that we had that confidence in, that swagger. I don't know about the trapper's back because, you know, the cassades look great, but Jeremy's got that swagger back. And when Jeremy has that swagger, you can't help but sort of like it. It's infectious. He brings you in, he makes you feel good about yourself.

[Jason]

We've got head judge Moraine walking towards us. This is always a good sign. Have you got two minutes to for us, Maureen?

[Maureen]

Yes.

[Jason]

How was the judging today? What did you see out there? Any mad data from win games and surfer? What can you tell us?

[Maureen]

I think it was really challenging, honestly, for the riders.

[Jason]

It was.

[Maureen]

Not many times we saw sevens or more, but I also think it was a really entertaining day. I think the shape of the area is really cool. It's a bit hard for us to see. So tomorrow and today we had a bit slower pace just to get everything right, which I think we did. I think I saw we used the replay to get the trick score right and I saw this jump graphs, which is pretty cool to see. I think that's a nice improvement. And in terms of the technology again here, I think we see that it's helping the riders a lot to have this watch. It's a super hard spot to get back to the beach.

[Jason]

I mean, in a competition where there's €18,000 on the line. By the way, the prize post this morning was 60,000, but I've heard that it's gone up to 75 today.

[Finn Flugel]

Another.

[Jason]

Yeah, there's been. It's increased. Someone's chipped in.

[Ben]

I got 76 in portrait. We'll put 1,000 in ourselves. Don't hold us to that.

[Jason]

Hang on. Definitely not. Definitely not. But I think with that much money on the line, 18 grand for first place. The watchers are coming in clutch here. They've got the information they need on their wrists. They can get inside the head of the opponent and, you know, manipulate their way all the way to the top of the tower.

[Maureen]

Yeah, we. We changed actually some of the logistics in the watch, that it now will show the watch scores even if one of the riders goes offline. We asked all of the riders what their opinion is. Of course, we want to make something that they want to have, so we changed it. So now, even if one person crashes, everyone will still remain getting their scores. So I think that's quite nice for them. And also for the turns, it's quite hard for them to see the flags. It's a bit small flag on the rock, so hopefully it's helping them.

[Jason]

Last question, then we'll let you go because I know you're a busy, busy man with this being left foot forward and right foot forward. Was there any dominance there? What are the trends you saw, if

[Maureen]

any, in the main part of the day? Until 4 or 5, it was either or just what you prefer or where you got the gust. At the end of the day, I think most people went to the left because the sun is so blocking that if you go to the right, it's really hard to find the takeoff and then also to spot the landing in the job.

[Ben]

Last question from me as a judge. How hard is it to judge the amount of travel they get? I know you have the data, but, you know, I'm looking on the beach, it's very hard to see the travel. Is that why you're using the. The replays, to see what distance they're moving?

[Maureen]

No, we're not using the replays at the moment to get any of the scores in. We can actually pretty accurately see the travel. We've walked around the. The area and we see, okay, if they're landing right near the buoy or they're taking off by the rock, we can sort of measure that distance. And what we actually. What is, for me, I don't Know the English word, but it's less bad than I thought, is that we can actually really well see the power they're generating because we're seeing the kite either on the left side, on the right side, or on the top side if it's not generating that much power. And the few tricks that scored really high today were having the kite right in front.

[Ben]

Is this one of the tougher places to judge because the riders are jumping 2, 300 meters out from the station?

[Maureen]

Yeah, we thought about actually moving it on the side here, but then you're in the sun, so it's not ideal either. The hardest part is to get the trick calling right. So we're using the replays for that. Luckily we have those. But other than that, the scores for me were really, really good.

[Jason]

Ryan, we'll let you go. Thanks for talking to us.

[Maureen]

Thank you.

[Jason]

See you.

[Ben]

And by the way, that's the reason why I asked, because I was just sitting down on that last seat and it's very difficult to see, like, I mean, they're jumping, are they 200 meters from the beach? It's quite a lot further out than we normally see. Right. I mean, coming from Lords of Tram, when they're literally jumping over the top of you, this is actually an amazing place to ride. But from the beach, this isn't the place to watch. Guys, get up on the side. Get up on the sides of the beach. That's the place to watch this event.

[Jason]

All right. Yucel Paralek is walking towards us. He's a gong man. Wasn't the result you wanted today? Oh, no, Hound, you're through. Hound. Right, I can see Ucel Parallak in the distance. I'm going to walk straight over to him. He's a gongman. He's holding an enormous bar. What size bar is that?

[Yucel Parallak]

Yeah, this is a very long bar. But I will cut it now, actually. Yeah, I'll cut it to 18 for tomorrow.

[Jason]

Okay. Why?

[Yucel Parallak]

Bruh? They're scoring it like it's Megaloop Challenge. Like, I don't know. I just bored off laid back and they scored more than people do flips. So I guess they want a kite angle. So we'll do some kite angle.

[Ben]

So let's talk about.

[Jason]

That is something you can really do, isn't it? Of course. Sorry, Adrian, I spoke over you there. That's rude. I don't like to do that, as you know.

[Ben]

Let's talk about round one. Let's be honest, it didn't go to plan. I mean, what did you do? Different in round two to get through to round three.

[Yucel Parallak]

Well, to be honest, I had a problem with my kite at the round one. I put on the wrong bridles on my kite, so I was not able to land anything. Six tricks crashed on the second round. I changed the bridles on the kite and was working good again. So just did my tricks. But, yeah, it was my first time competing on long lines on an event like this. So, yeah.

[Jason]

Are you tempted to go shorter with them, liking the lower loops?

[Yucel Parallak]

Yeah, I think I'll go on.

[Jason]

That's the plan tomorrow?

[Yucel Parallak]

Yeah, that's the plan.

[Finn Flugel]

I mean,

[Yucel Parallak]

I'll be up against Jamie and Shahar, so I need to try something, something different because they're levelist.

[Ben]

I know they're big names, but let's be honest, that's one of the better quarterfinals to be in.

[Finn Flugel]

Yeah.

[Yucel Parallak]

Yeah, okay. Yeah, yeah. Right.

[Jason]

How far did you have to travel to get here?

[Yucel Parallak]

Ah, fuck. I was at Gran Canaria. I took a flight to Tarifa. From Tarifa to Athens, Athens to Cyprus to drop off my board bag. I dropped off my board but grabbed some new clothes because I've been traveling for three months, the same clothes, all fucked up. So I just grabbed some new clothes from Cyprus and took a flat here. So it was fucking long.

[Jason]

Last question. You did that mega jump that you put up online. Everyone loved it. Anything else in the pipeline you could maybe tell us about or hint towards

[Yucel Parallak]

what am I going to do next?

[Jason]

Or maybe you're not doing anything next. Tell us if you're not doing anything, that's fine. I don't do very much, to be honest.

[Yucel Parallak]

I want to break Edgar's thing that Edgar did, to be honest. But I mean. I mean, it's. Everyone can go and do it, so it's. I don't know, but I just want to do it for the sake of it, you know, it's just geographical limits. You just find a high mountain and everyone can do it.

[Ben]

I saw, you know, you looking at our podcast, laughing at our podcast, talking about you. Obviously, it's all coming with love, you know, but is that something that you want to do more of and, you know, do different stuff and push the kites in different ways?

[Yucel Parallak]

Yeah. To be honest, that's the thing that I really like doing. Like, to be honest, I don't really like competing. I just want to do very interesting and different stuff in the. In the kite world. That's what I want to do.

[Jason]

Good for you. Good for you, Yusuf. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us and good luck tomorrow.

[Yucel Parallak]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Jason]

I think that's pretty. Pretty good wrap up, is it? We've heard from the heavy hitters today and we've given you. Well, you knew what the results were anyway because you're all keen kiteboarders listening to this. But that's the state of it. Things are winding down here. We're just in the car park and everyone's leaving, so I think we think we'll follow suit. Anything else to add?

[Ben]

Spring on tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the finals, you know. And let's see if we've got new world champions.

[Jason]

Epic. Yeah, I think an early night will be had for the likes of Jamie Overbeek. The likes of a lesser mensch for the likes of Andrea Pinch. Oh, maybe not, maybe not.

[Ben]

We're going to have an early night because guess who's coming to our house early in the morning? The goat.

[Jason]

Yes, he is. He's going to help us configure some lines, but more on that in the future. All right, goodbye, everyone.