Dutchman defends his title in emphatic fashion

Kevin Langeree won a closely-contested three-man final battle at Kite Beach in Cape Town on Wednesday 6 February, to retain his title. This is the Dutchman’s third Red Bull King of the Air win, making him the winningest big air rider on African soil.

Langeree outgunned Hawaiian Jesse Richman (2013 Red Bull King of the Air champ) and Liam Whaley (Spain) in 30-knot ‘Cape Doctor’ conditions during the 13-minute final.

Spoils of war
© Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool

“To be up here for the third time is amazing,” Langeree commented from the podium. “Sharing it with these amazing riders is just something magical, you know!”

According to Langeree he had no idea of the situation during the final as it was so close. “These guys were killing it – they were going so big!” He said.

“I managed to land a new trick, so I’m stoked,” he concluded. “It think that put me on top.”

Around 9000 people lined Kite Beach to watch the semi-finals and final on the day.

A tale of two days

The first day ran on Thursday 31 January. That day offered near perfect conditions for the world’s 18 best big air kiteboarders to hit the water and take to the skies. Four rounds were run on the day before the call was made to go on hold, when the wind dropped.

Day one, however was not without a few upsets: Crowd favourite and two-time winner, Aaron Hadlow and SA’s Joshua Emmanuel had to retire due to injury in rounds two and four respectively.

Hawaiian Aloha
© Tyrone Bradley / Red Bull Content Pool

“It was the right call to stop on Thursday and come back today,” commented Sportive Director Sergio Cantagalli. “The conditions were epic and each rider had the opportunity to perform properly,” he said. “The guys peaked at the right time and the best man won on the day.”

The crowd loved it
© Tyrone Bradley / Red Bul Content Pool

Jesse Richman took the competition’s ‘Mystic Most Extreme Move’ award with his powered Kung Fu 1080 handlepass, on day one.

Source: Jazz Kuschke / redbull.com/za