"The pressure just motivates me to do my best" - Aya Kasabova

My name is Aya Kasabova, I'm 15 years old and from Bulgaria. I ride for Duotone and I started competing around 3 years ago.

You’re one of top female U19 riders at the moment - how do you handle the expectations and maybe pressure of competing at this high level?

I think going into this competition I really wanted to win, so there was a little more pressure. But having my coach there and knowing exactly what I have to do made it way easier.

I love competing, so the pressure just motivates me to do my best.

This year you became the first ever GKA Youth Big Air female U19 champion. Congratulations! How did you feel when you realised that you won?

I was super nervous during the whole heat, so landing the last trick and realizing I won probably made it one of the best days of my life. I'd put in a lot of work during the year, and having all my family, my friends, and my coach there made it feel super special.

What was the toughest part of this competition for you?

The toughest part was probably having to be patient. The wind was pretty unpredictable, so there was a lot of waiting on the beach. It was raining and cold, and the whole time I just wanted to go already. But in the end we got some of the better conditions of the whole competition so it was worth the wait.

Do you have any female role models in kitesurfing?

For sure. I look up to all the riders, but especially Mikaili Sol since she sets the bar for female kitesurfing. She motivates me to progress, and work towards doing tricks no-one else can do. But the level is definitely improving a lot every year because of all the girls pushing.

What are your goals for the future?

My goal is to keep progressing, pushing for new tricks, and competing of course. I want to get the World Title in Big Air some day, so that´s the main focus!