After the suspenseful, week-long wait for the unseasonably absent ‘Cape Doctor’, 24 of the world’s best big air kiteboarders hit the water and the skies in Cape Town’s Big Bay on Saturday 14 and 15 February to see who would claim the title of Red Bull King of the Air 2015. Facing Jesse Richman (USA), Kevin Langeree (NED), and Jerrie van de Kop (NED) in the final, the capacity crowd watched on as Aaron Hadlow (GBR) pulled out all the stops to win the title and be crowned king of the air.

Hadlow was solid and consistent throughout the competition and easily had the performance of the day, landing two massive megaloop KGB’s twice during Sunday’s semis and finals to claim the top spot on the podium. This intricate move entails completing a back-roll megaloop, then unhooking and passing the bar behind your back.

“We waited all this time and we finally got the conditions we were waiting for. I know the conditions here in Cape Town well and I knew I had a good chance but you never know how it’s going to go. Once I went out there I was just full of adrenaline and managed to pull some pretty sick moves so I’m really happy now.”

“Big Air is a discipline I don’t always focus on, but it’s something that I always have in the back of my mind. I know this event will grow the sport of kiteboarding. The atmosphere here at Big Bay is like nothing else – the crowd loves it. It’s the one event in kiteboarding that really is for kiteboarding and I’m so happy to be on top!”

Hawaiian Jesse Richman, the 2013 King, made the most of the straps he’s been favouring over bindings, pulling big board-off’s but unfortunately experienced a few crashes leading to his flag being the first lowered in the final. Jerrie van der Kop was in the hunt throughout the heat, and laid it all out on the line for a well-deserved third.

Defending champ Kevin Langeree started strong, showing no ill-effect from the eight stitches in his hand from a cut sustained in training earlier in the week. For a long time he looked like he was going to defend his title but eventually placed second.

Hadlow was also awarded the ‘Mystic Move of the Day’ for his Megaloop KGB whilst runner-up Langeree claimed the ‘biggest air of the day’ with 13,5metres, recorded with the WOO Sports height measurement tool.

Final Results

1. Aaron Hadlow (GBR)
2. Kevin Langeree (NED)
3. Jerrie van de Kop (NED)
4. Jesse Richman (USA)
5. Nick Jacobsen (DEN) & Steven Akkersdijk (NED)
6. NA
7. Ruben Lenten (NED) & Sam Light (GBR)
8. NA
9. Antonin Rangin (FRA), Billy Parker (USA), Lewis Crathern (GBR) & Tom Hebert (FRA)

Over the course of the 3 days that the event ran over, 17,000 spectators came down to Big Bay to watch the action.

Sportive director Sergio Cantagalli, was pleased with how the competition ended on a high:

“Cape Town eventually delivered the best conditions to crown a Red Bull King of the Air and all the effort from the riders and team involved paid off.”

No Wind Does Not Mean No Action

In case you are wondering what the kiteboarders got up to during the two week windless holding period, the Dirty Habits crew made sure there was plenty of action to go around!

DJ’ing and Drone flying with Ruben Lenten and Kevin Langeree, ambushing Jesse Richman, Tom Hebert and Sam Medysky at the WOO house with a paintball gun, Braaing and ‘training’ with Sam Light, kiting and crashing with Lewis Crathern and naked roof jumping with Nick Jacobsen and Graham Howes are just some of the no-good antics the boys got up to while they were waiting for the ‘Cape Doctor’ to return. Watch the video below to get a glimpse of the action.

Dirty Habits Behind the Scenes at King of the air

They also interrogated the kiteboarders on a number of interesting topics… Tinder, Erections, Wake kiting, Bruna or Hannah? Straps or Boots? Viagra and wearing woman’s clothes… Check out the dirty interviews with Ruben Lenten, Kevin Langeree, Nick Jacobsen, Aaron Hadlow, Jesse Richmna, Sam Light, Sam Medysky, Oswald Smith, Reno Romeu and many others…

Filthy Interview Questions by Dirty Habits

Photos

Kolesky / Nikon / Red Bull Content Pool
Ydwer van der Heide / Red Bull Content Pool
Nick Musik / Red Bull Content Pool

Aaron Hadlow Wins the 2015 Red Bull King of the Air was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

The Red Bull King of the Air will see the world’s best kitesurfers take to the skies in an attempt at the crown. They’ll go head-to-head in the ‘flag out’ big air competition format that will see big moves and huge airs performed with style, height, and speed.

In February 2014, 12,000 people watched on as Kevin Langeree (NED) edged out his compatriots Ruben Lenten (NED) and Steven Akkersdijk (NED) in a high-pressure event that saw huge winds and even bigger wipe-outs.

“I just can’t wait for the KOTA 2015 to kick off!! To me this event is the most extreme, fun and the best way to show what kiteboarding is all about. The vibe around the event is just magical – 24 of the best big air kiteboarders in the world pushing themselves and each other to go bigger and bigger. Just thinking about that again gets me so fired up. I’ve been training a bunch this year to prepare myself even better than last year so I can hopefully defend my title in 2015,” said Langeree.

Cape Town is a hot spot for kiteboarding during January and February, where the ‘Cape Doctor’ (the south-easterly wind that presides over the city in its summer months) and sun-soaked beaches make for a kiteboarder’s dream.

Twelve of the best from 2014 will return to the event, and 12 wildcards, selected from online entries and social voting at www.redbullkingoftheair.com will round up the 24 participant line-up.

Invited Riders

Kevin Langeree (NED), Ruben Lenten (NED), Steven Akkersdijk (NED), Andries Fourie (RSA), Aaron Hadlow (GBR), Jesse Richman (USA), Tom Herbert (FRA), Billy Parker (USA), Nick Jacobsen (DEN), Reno Romeu (BRA), Gianni Aragno (ESP), Jerrie van de Kop (NED).

Since its return in 2013, Red Bull King of the Air has had 2 different winners in 2 events in Cape Town. Do you think you have what it takes to reign in 2015? Head to www.redbullkingoftheair.com and upload your video to enter.

In order to ensure the best wind conditions possible for Red Bull King of the Air to take place, the event window period extends from 31 Jan to 15 Feb 2015.

Red Bull King of the Air 2015 Coming to Cape Town Again was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

For the second year in a row, Cape Town’s Big Bay hosted 24 of the world’s best kiteboarders as they went head-to-head in a unique ‘flag out’ competition format in South Africa. It all came down to the final in which Dutchman Kevin Langeree managed to edge out his compatriots Ruben Lenten (second) and Steven Akkersdijk (third) to become the Red Bull King of the Air 2014 champion in front of a 12 000-strong crowd.

“The conditions picked up during the day and I couldn’t have hoped for anything better! The final was definitely tough and every one of us was so close to winning. I definitely had my best heat of the day in the final. This is the third Red Bull King of the Air I’ve competed in and was a title that I didn’t have yet so I was hungry for it. I’m so stoked!”

Judged on height, creativity and style, the participants’ manoeuvres were judged by Alex Vliege (NED), William Bogaards (NED), Greg Thijsse (RSA), Arkadiusz Jerzelkowski (POL), Reinier Korstanje (NED), Ralf Bachsuster (GER) who had their work cut out for them.

An innovative tool available to the judges was Xensr technology. The application measures the height, speed, airtime, gravity loading, location and the 3D motion of the athlete with all data captured at 400 times a second and is accurate to within 3mm, as soon as they land a jump. All jump data is immediately relayed to the judges and the live stream. Frenchman Tom Herbert recorded the highest jump of the day – a lofty 25.04m.

Head judge Alex Vliege was pleased with how the event played out in the end:

“What an epic day! We had the best riders in the world here today with Cape Town and Mother Nature delivering great conditions. We finally got what we were waiting for. Kevin was completely deserving of the title – he did the same moves as the others plus more, with variation and went higher than the others. “

Blouberg local Andries Fourie was the highest placed South African in 4th place and landed the second highest jump of the day at 23.37m.

Final Results

1. Kevin Langeree (NED)
2. Ruben Lenten (NED)
3. Steven Akkersdijk (NED)
4. Andries Fourie (RSA)
5. Aaron Hadlow (GBR)
6. Jesse Richman (USA)
7. Tom Herbert (FRA)
8. Billy Parker (GBR)

Recap Video: Go BIG or go Home

Photography Credits

Craig Kolesky / Nikon / Red Bull Content Pool
Nick Muzik / Red Bull Content Pool

Kevin Langeree Crowned Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

Off the back of a successful event in early 2013, the world’s best kiters will again descend on Cape Town’s Big Bay to compete in their big air competition and will have to prove their mettle in a spectacular new format for the contest. Spectators are bound to be treated to radically high jumps, various tricks and kite-loops combined with style, height, and speed in the one-day showcase of big air prowess.

Cape Town is known for its prime kitesurfing conditions during January and February – with the south easterly wind, dubbed ‘Cape Doctor’, almost guaranteeing big airs and even bigger moves.

Twelve of the best from 2013 will return and 12 wildcards, selected from online entries at www.redbullkingoftheair.co.za, will round up the 24 participant line up.

Video: Red Bull King of the Air Teaser

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Defending champion, Jesse Richman (USA) is already training hard in the lead up to the event:

“Big Bay in Cape Town is possibly the best kiteboarding arena I have ever seen, the place is made to send us flying. The Red Bull King of the Air is kiteboarding at its highest level of extreme! I am really pumped to come back this year and see how far we can push it past the limits.”

 Invited Riders

Jesse Richman (USA), Nick Jacobsen (DEN), Sam Light (GBR), Gianni Aragno (ESP), Ruben Lenten (NED), Lewis Crathern (GBR), Oswald Smith (RSA), Shawn Richman (USA), Billy Parker (USA), Kevin de Smidt (NED), Kevin Langeree (NED), Andries Fourie (RSA).

Judges

Judges William Bogaards (NED), Greg Thijsse (RSA), Arek Jerzelkowski (POL), Reinier Korstanje (NED), Ralf Bachschuster (GER) and Jim Gaunt (GBR) are bound to have a tough time in the judge’s tower adjudicating the aerial masters.

In order to ensure the best wind conditions possible for Red Bull King of the Air to take place, the event window period extends from 25 January 2014 to 9 February 2014.

Red Bull King of the Air is Coming Back to Cape Town in 2014 was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

After an eight year hiatus since the last running of the Red Bull King of the Air in Maui, USA, the event finally returns to kiteboarding, this time in Cape Town, South Africa. Wind patterns are currently looking favourable for the window period of 1 – 15 February at Big Bay, Blouberg on Cape Town’s sunny coastline.

Sixteen invited kiteboarders from around the world will be joined by eight wildcards who secured their entry by sending in a video of themselves in action on the water.

Included in the lineup are extreme kiteboarder Ruben Lenten (NED), compatriot and world number 1 in 2012 Youri Zoon and local wildcard Oswald Smith who goes into the competition having just won SA Champs.

The judging panel consisting of fearless female kiteboarder Susi Mai, editor of Kiteworld Magazine and presenter of ‘The Kite Show’ Jim Gaunt and South African original Red Bull King of the Air alumnus Greg Tijsse will be watching the water to gauge the height, style and creativity each kiteboarder executes their movement with.

The newly developed ‘flag out’ competition format is unlike any others – it gives each kiteboarder the opportunity to pull their best moves and score high. Four riders hit the water wearing different colour rash vests that match a corresponding flag on the beach. After an allocated time, the rider with the lowest score will be flagged out (flag will be lowered) and must leave the water. The last man standing is the winner.

The event will also feature the godfather of wind-based watersports, Robby Naish, who will be in Cape Town to put the title hopefuls through their paces in the lead up to the event. Robby has multiple World Titles across windsurfing and kiteboarding disciplines and still competes internationally, at the tender age of 49.

Invited Kiteboarders

• Ruben Lenten (NED)
• Kevin Langeree (NED)
• Youri Zoon (NED)
• Nick Jacobsen (DEN)
• Billy Parker (USA)
• Sam Light (GBR)
• Lewis Crathern (GBR)
• Kevin de Smidt (NED)
• Steven Akkersijk (NED)
• Jesse Richman (USA)
• Tom Court (GBR)
• Luke Whiteside (GBR)
• Gianni Aragno (ESP)
• Shawn Richman (USA)
• Luke McGillewie (RSA)
• Reno Romeu (BRA)

Wildcards

• Sam Medysky (CAN)
• Oswald Smith (RSA)
• Johnno Sholte (NED)
• Andries Fourie (RSA)
• Graham Howes (RSA)
• Jandre Fraser (RSA)
• Alan Steele (RSA)
• Nicolas Falcou (FRA)

For more updates on contest conditions visit www.redbullkingoftheair.co.za or #RedBullKingoftheAir on Twitter.

PS: If you enjoyed this article, help spread the word by clicking the share buttons below.

The Red Bull King of the Air 2013 Sees the World’s Top Kiteboarders in Cape Town was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.

CAPE TOWN (South Africa) – The new concept, a big air format, proposes a “mega airtime” contest with radically high jumps, various tricks and kite-loops combined with style, height, and speed. Sixteen of the world’s best plus eight wildcards, selected from video entries at www.redbullkingoftheair.co.za, will descend on Cape Town.

Big Bay, part of the pristine Cape Peninsula, is probably the best spot in the world for holding an event with these criteria. The legendary ‘Cape Doctor’ will certainly play its part – the South Easterly wind guarantees big airs and even bigger moves! Judges Jim Gaunt, Susi Mai and Greg Thijsse will have their work cut out for them.

Video: Red Bull King of the Air 2013 Teaser

Ruben Lenten (NED), a formidable name in kiteboarding is stoked Red Bull King of the Air is back: “It’s going make a big impact on kiteboarding once again! Normally I don’t compete as most contests are aimed at really technical tricks but the format of the Red Bull King of the Air is right up my street. This contest is all about big airs and I think I am just as stoked as I was back in 2005 when I won the last event in Hawaii. With the Red Bull King of the Air we’ll have the world’s best riders come out to battle it out in Cape Town’s extreme winds.”

The window period for the event starts on the 1st of February and will extend to the 15th of February 2013. For more updates on contest conditions visit www.redbullkingoftheair.co.za or #RedBullKingoftheAir on Twitter.

PS: If you enjoyed this article, help spread the word by clicking the share buttons below.

Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town was published by inMotion Kitesurfing.