German rider Florian Gruber wins 2013 IKA Kiteboard Course Race in Hainan

The 19-year-old Florian Gruber stole Johnny Heineken’s Course Racing world title, after putting out a stellar performance in Chinese waters.

In the final day of event at Boao, Hainan, it was only possible to complete one race, with the men flying their 17m and 19m kites.

"I think I’m going to need a couple of days before it really sink in. My motto for the week was to go fast and stay safe from tangles. It really paid off for me", says Gruber.

"Initially when I saw the opening days’ conditions I though it wasn’t for me, but it worked out".

The failure to get any Women’s races off left Steph Bridge and sixteen-year-old Elena Kalinina with the second and third spots on the podium, trailing Erika Heineken, who had won 13 of her 14 races in the conditions that lightened towards the end of the event.

"I sailed so well in the rest of the event. I lost one race. The girls are improving a lot, but I expected a bit more competition. I felt the lighter conditions at the end were not ideal for me", adds Erika Heineken.