Kitesurfer clinches world title

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Watch kitesurfer Kirsty Jones in action in 2002

Welsh kitesurfer Kirsty Jones has clinched her first world title.

The 30-year-old from Carmarthenshire said it was a "dream come true" to be crowned kitesurf world wave champion at Essaouira in Morocco, Africa.

The current British champion said it capped off an "amazing year" for her as she had been leading the Kiteboard Pro World Tour going into the final round.

The professional kitesurfer made a name for herself in 2002 as the first person to kitesurf across the Irish Sea.

Speaking after winning the title on Sunday, she said: "'It's been an amazing year for me doing the KPWT world tour.

"Last year I missed out on the title by a small margin and this year I was determined to become world champion - this is my dream come true.

"The final in Morocco was by far the toughest for me as I put so much pressure on myself to win this final event."

The Morocco event was the culmination of the 10th year of the Kiteboard Pro World Tour, which also staged events in France, Portugal and Brazil.

As well as defending her crown in 2009, she plans to organise another long-distance solo kitesurf for charity.

In 2002 she inspired a new trend when she became the first person to kitesurf from Ireland to Wales, raising over £5,000.