So cute, ultra girly but when she is riding she shows us a what it really means to know how to ride properly… she is the new world freestyle champion, her name is Karolina Winkowska and she offers KiteSista a special girls exclusive interview.
KSm: Karolina, you’re 22 years old, from poland, and you’re world champion…. everybody knows you already, is there anything you are particularly proud of or that we don’t know that you would like to share again with us?
Karolina: Yes, I am proud of my parents and my entire family who are helping me all the time, even if I am upside down on the other side of the world.
KSm: Let’s talk kite first. your style is powerful (very powerful :)) is that something you worked on or did it come naturally?
Karolina: I think it came naturally, but for sure I can struggle because of this during some competitions. If you try to go big and powerful in Fuerteventura, or Leucate, there is no chance to land any tricks. So, I’ve learned to do pussy tricks as well, so they pay off during the competitions in windy places.
KSm: You are the current world champion, is that going to change anything in how you approach future competition?
Karolina: Now I am the one who has to defend the 1st place. I still haven’t start my 2013 training, due to my injury and so I can’t say how I will ride this year, if I improve my riding or if I get lazy. We will see.
KSm: For all the girls out there starting out in competition, and the ones who have trouble with pressure, what helped you deal with it, and what tips can you share with us?
Karolina: I recommend to try to compete more often. Every event gives you so much new information about your style and your kiting level. Most of the girls come, and don’t want to do it anymore because they lose. I have been losing for the past 4 years… but I have learned how to compete, and that is the best tip I can give. Nothing pays off without trying and making mistakes.
KSm: We all know the huge influence you have on girls in the kiting world, how would you like to use that to push the sport and lifestyle for the girls in the coming season?
Karolina: I think it’s good to do many different tricks and rotations. It looks better when you can do a stylish s-bend, or back roll with a grab, than a pulled up blind judge. When it’s more than 25knots, even I can’t do all the air passes, so I try to make easy tricks but with a bang.
KSm: Let’s get serious and stop talking about kitesurfing :D…. obviously you don’t like board shorts but are more into tutus…. did you already start thinking about your next career in the Warsaw opera? (you can talk a bit about your style and creativity here, that is what we want to know ;) )
Karolina: I like board shorts, and I definitely prefer to wear trousers or even a tracksuit at home :) But the pink tutu style is something I invented with my friends in Cape Town. We were bored of black wetsuit, so we brought colorful tutus which looked sick, girlish and unique.
KSm: You changed your pink board for a board you designed yourself… you’re obviously very creative… (could you tell us a bit about your Posca technique, and the graphics you chose?
Karolina: Yes, I was in Australia for 3 months, and I saw that all surfers had homemade graphics on their surfboards. So I decided to do it as well with my kiteboardboard. It was cute and pink before, but I was looking at it everyday for last 7months, and I wanted something new. It’s like having a new colour on your nails, I can always remove it or change it. Lots of fun.
KSm: let’s talk style and fashion… how would you describe you personal style out of the water, and do you try to keep it when you ride?
Karolina: I like comfy clothes. The ones that will protect me from sun, and cold. When I am kiting I prefer to think about my tricks that about losing my bikini or being cold.
KSm: Is there anything girly you always carry with you no matter what around the world? loverboy, teddybear, beauty product….
Karolina: Yes, I have lots of cosmetics with me. Mostly sunscreens, and moisturizing creams. But I also have a Hello Kitty obsession, so there are hello kitties all around me :)
KSm: We have from a secret source, information of the utmost importance regarding a new trend for 2013….please give us the exclusive and tell us a bit more :) we wouldn’t want to be late on such important news ;)
Karolina: Yes I have a new idea, but at first I have to test it. Because if it doesn’t work then I can’t promote it…
KSm: Anything else? some last words?
Karolina: I wish all the kite girls an amazing kite year, and I hope you going to rock!!!! Girlzz power !!!
Ksm: Karolina, thank you so much for your time. We wish you all the best for the future and we will be sure to follow all of your new projects and hope you will keep in touch.