Youri Zoon the current PKRA World Champion has announced that he is moving to Best Kiteboarding for the 2013 season.
In this article we give you the background to the move and some of Youri's thoughts on the future.
As the 2012 competition season draws to a close, news that Youri Zoon the current PKRA (Professional Kiteboard Riders Association) World Champion will move from riding with his current sponsor Slingshot Kites to Best Kiteboarding for the 2013 season is big news in the kitesurfing world.
Best Team Manager Lia Feriancek is quoted as saying, "The Global Team at BEST just keeps getting bigger and better.
With Youri joining the team to compete alongside Gisela (Gisela Pulido) on the PKRA Tour for 2013 we're hoping to see the GP riders dominate throughout the season.
Youri is one of the most recognizable kiters on the planet and we are looking forward to his contribution to the continued success and growth of the BEST family.
" Youri commented that Best had made him an offer he couldn't refuse - hopefully not in the Mafia sense of the phrase.
He said "As a pro rider I have to be able to pay my bills, but more importantly this is a chance to be involved in the research and development of products".
Best have a reputation for being like a big family and involving their team riders in the development of new equipment.
They are also known for throwing a party at their team meetings which is never a bad thing! For the 2013 season, Youri will be riding the Best GP in competitions and feels that the GP with its explosive power will give him the opportunity to try new tricks and go bigger than previously.
Youri will also be riding with boots again in the new season allowing him to ride harder and keep pushing the bigger tricks.
In addition to the main sponsorship with Best, Youri will still be sponsored by Brunotti, who supply Boards and Clothing, Javra Software, Mystic, manufacturers of wetsuits & harnesses and Koraal.
org, a recruitment consultancy who were one of Youri's first sponsors.
Youri has already spent some time becoming acquainted with the new brand and plans to travel to Cape Town (South Africa) for the winter for some off-season training in preparation for 2013.
He also plans to pursue his other love (photography) whilst down there.
With everything to play for in the final two events of the 2012 season - Youri is currently tied on points with Alex Pastor - he hopes to end his time with Slingshot on a high note by retaining his PKRA freestyle world title.