Day two dawned to more brilliant sun and glistening waters for the 2006 Venezuelan World Cup. In the morning hours competitors could be seen enjoying Hotel Coche Paradise's breakfast buffet, free internet in the restaurant/cafe area and two beautiful, tropical pools. At 10:30 am riders gathered at beach, anxiously awaiting the draw to see who would compete against one another. As the wind remained light throughout the morning, PKRA officials decided to postpone the start of the competition until 1 pm.

The men's single elimination kicked off the day right at 1 pm with winds at 15-20 knots. The first round of the singles held very few surprises as the world’s top riders took to the water thrilling the spectators on the beach with sensational trick after trick. The judges were focused on power, technical difficulty, variety, height, smoothness, style and innovation in all of tricks that were performed. Not an easy job, as the top riders all have such a high level of ability, fairly equal in scoring, and often the decision comes down to only one or two tricks.

One big upset came in the fourth heat when #2 in the world, Ruben Lenten (Slingshot, Flexifoil) was beaten by #63 Sebastien Garat (RRD, France). Ruben, suffering from an ankle injury incurred in Australia this past January that has never fully recovered, came out lacking his usual fire. His repertoire of handle pass tricks were there and technically sound, however, Garat was able to capitalize on Ruben's unusually tentative performance, advancing to the next round where he was then defeated by Mallory De La Villemarque (North, France). Mallory had a stellar day, riding with good power, even in the lighter winds, showing off a nice variety of moves, nailing mobes in both directions advancing all the way to the losers final where he could place as high as 3rd or 4th based on tomorrow's "secret"� results announcement!

Another upset occurred when #17 in the world, Madison Van Huerck (Naish, USVI), was bested by #127 Troels Engholm (Liquid Force, Denmark). Engholm was promptly stopped in the next round by #4 Kevin Langeree (Naish, Netherlands), who was on a mission, performing an arsenal of tricks including some really powerful kiteloop handlepasses, KGB's, a wrapped mobe 7 and downloop blind judge, as he charged to the loser's final round were he met up with Mallory to battle it out for 3rd place. And yet another seemingly unstoppable performance came from Alvaro Onieva (Best, Spain), who could have passed for the energizer bunny, starting the day in heat one and advancing all the way to the winners final where he met up with the 2005 world champion, Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, UK). Alvaro's stylish, varied tricks showing technical expertise on both tacks, such as a mobe with delayed pass, kiteloop passes and aerial back to blinds, keeps him on the winner's podium.

Meanwhile, Aaron amazed the crowd with his powerful, innovative performance, at the same time waving to the crowd to cheer, while simultaneously lining his tricks up perfectly for the cameras. Two incredible new moves he unleashed for the event were the double handle pass in the air, also known as a mobe 7 with aerial pass, versus the mobe 7 landing wrapped that he performed in Brazil. And the second was the 900 backside 1, rather than his usual 720 backside 3, seeming to spin in the air like a top before smoothly landing and riding off to his next trick. Riders and spectators alike anxiously await the results of the men's winners final to see if Aaron starts the year off with a victory.

Etienne Lhote (F-One, France), Rui Meira (Naish, Portugal), Randy Hereman (F-One, Netherlands) and Christian Holley (Best, UK) also had a strong day, all making it to the third round. Etienne and Randy both were showing off radical tricks, such as front mobe 5's as well as downloop mobes, however, did not have the clean landings to move them to the next round. Rui also nailed the front mobe 5, as well as a smooth KGB, but faltered when faced with Kevin Langeree. Christian was on fire earlier in the day showing off some spectacular moves, such as a double back to wrapped, however was dowsed when coming up against Hadlow. All are looking for a second chance tomorrow in the double eliminations!

With baited breath, 14 women finally took to the water, alternating rounds with the men's singles. Bruna Kajiya (Best, Brazil) came out strong throwing her signature railey to blind and S bend to blind, however she was stopped by Julie Simsar (Flexifoil, Turkey) who initially struggled with the wind conditions, actually switching kites midway in the first heat for a larger kite. She continued her rampage to the winners final, showing off new, more powerful moves such as a the handlepass and downloop S bend, beating #2 ranked Ania Grzelinska (North, Poland), who struggled with the lighter wind conditions.

Joe Wilson (Naish, UK) started the day out strong against her fellow countrywomen, Emma York (Airrush, UK), showing off a smooth, powerful performance, landing tricks in both directions for the judges such as a downloop S bend and kiteloop railey, but was stopped in the second round by Ania. Angela Peral (North, Spain) came out charging going for the handlepass and a variety of more technical tricks such as a wrapped 3. She continued to rip it up, advancing past Susie Mai (Cabrinha, Germany) in round two, beating out 2005 world champion Kristin Boese (Best, Germany) in round three, before meeting Julie Simsar in the winner's final to fight for first place. Kristin dropped her kite in the third round and was unable to relaunch it, rather than opting for the rescue, she decided to swim for shore while fellow Best Team rider, Christian Holley gave her a new kite, but with only a few second to go. Kristin advanced to the losers final to battle it out for 3rd place with Ania.

Be sure to check back to see what happened in the final heats and who won! Tonight event organizers and sponsors, Richard Farr and Victor Martins will host a chillout party at Coche Paradise's large pool, complete with plenty of Polar Ice, Redbull and pumping DJ music. Saturday, event sponsor Best Kites will host another great pool party including an exciting "Best Girl"� bikini and dance contest worth over $500 in prize money and gifts.

Single Elimination awards ceremony and riders meeting at 12 pm on the beach, with first possible start 1 pm.