Red Bull King of the Air - Huge Air In Kiting Is Back!

[ricki]

http://www.sbckiteboard.com/news_article?news_id=1983


John Glais has a dream, he wants to compete in the NEW Red Bull King of the Air contest to be held in South Africa in February 2013. To that end he has been training hard in nuclear wind and wave conditions in his home waters off Brittany, France.

Producing jumps like ...


A boost John threw in a storm on December 27, 2012 off St. Malo, FR. This jump is about 17 to 20 m (roughly 55 to 66 ft.), high in 30 to 45 knots+. He was riding a Cabrinha 7 m Chaos kite.
Photo: Isabelle Borde https://www.facebook.com/john.johnn.589/

St. Malo in Brittany has a long history of sailors going down to sea, John joins that lot with a new twist.


St. Malo in pre-kiting days
http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/

John is sponsored by Cabrinha and KiteAddict and likes to fly a 7 m Chaos kite in prime jumping conditions. He described his favorite winds to be 40 kts with nice 1 to 2 m swells or kickers" to boost huge jumps off of. He likes the Chaos for these extreme jumps for the excellent lift the kite produces and speed. I asked if it was too fast as smaller kites can be at times? He said, no, but fast enough to be able to counter over-rotations and other problems at altitude including throwing some kite loops in to stabilize landings when needed. John also loves to ride Cab Switchblades but for this extreme service in high wind for mega jumps, prefers the Chaos. He started seven years ago and says he likes to ride "old school" style. This includes big airs, board offs and related moves John trained as a kitesurfing instructor through the FFVL and earned a five year degree in Sports Instruction at University. John currently teaches sports in St. Malo. He intends to open a kiting school in Brittany instructing kitesurfing, air style, wake style, race, waves kiting, etc.. . You can find him on Facebook under John Johnn.



The mood of the sea on December 27, off St. Malo.
https://www.facebook.com/john.johnn.589/


Applicants to the South African King of the Air contest are to submit a video as a part of the selection process. Here is John's excellent clip.



The title pretty much tells the tale, so how about it Red Bull?
This great video was put together by JP.PROD. You can see more of his videos on Facebook under JP PROD



https://www.facebook.com/john.johnn.589/


Here is a summary of the new event:

"Red Bull King of the Air has found new energy to bring back the wowfactor of kiteboarding. In the past Red Bull King of the Air was the most prestigious event in kiteboarding, where the world’s best battled it out with the biggest airs. The sport has gone in many different directions since. Now seven years later, an all new format focused on extreme big airs and a new location is going to bring us to new heights of kiteboarding.

During this event we have the 16 best kiteboarders invited by the Red Bull King of the Air committee and eight wildcards will be divided through international and national kiteboarders that send in their most extreme tricks. The event is set to take place on the windiest day in the first two weeks of February. If you want to see this crazy action from up close come join us at Big Bay, Cape Town, South Africa."
More about the event, rules, judging, etc. at: http://redbullkingoftheair.co.za/



A video overview of the 2013 event



https://www.facebook.com/john.johnn.589/


The Red Bull King of the Air is a famous, kiting event, one of the first to be held in our sport. The first contest happened in Hookipa in 1999 among many now world famous riders. It continued until 2005 when Red Bull pulled out of kiting. Now, it looks like it is back in South Africa with this signature event.

There is a look back at:
http://redbulli.com/kingoftheair/scrapbook.html




The view from John's perspective on a smaller jump.
https://www.facebook.com/john.johnn.589/



Good luck John, hope you blow them away in South Africa.
https://www.facebook.com/john.johnn.589/


Here's to the new King of the Air!


http://www.redbull.co.za/


p.s. - the occasional downside of going big is slamming down very, HARD. Going up can be easier or less painful at any rate than coming back to the surface at times. Also, high sustained wind in a days long strong storm is not the same as violent conditions in hazardous squalls where the wind can go to lethal levels in seconds. Have a care.

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[ricki]

Just learned that Billy Parker is attending this event from Florida. Have fun over there Billy!



Billy pops a lower jump for a handle pass in Islamorada


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[ricki]

I am sorry you didn't make it John, I think you would have been an exceptional wild card competitor. More from Red Bull:




The much anticipated return of Red Bull King of the Air has seen kiteboarders the world over doing anything to get their hands on an entry. Sixteen of the world’s best as well as eight wildcards have been selected to compete.

CAPE TOWN (South Africa) Red Bull King of the Air returns to the fore after an eight year hiatus since the last running of the event in Maui, USA and wind patterns are currently looking favourable for the window period of 1 – 15 February at Big Bay, Blouberg on Cape Town’s 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 in 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 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 matching 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.

The 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)

The 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)"

http://redbullkingoftheair.co.za/public/

[ricki]

They ran the event today, here are the results and some images from: http://www.redbull.co.za/ . All photos are from that site unless otherwise indicated. They said they had perfect wind conditions of over 40 knots!




The scene at Cape Town, South Africa




A rough clip showing some action from sea level. The guys got up there!




The competition will introduce the newly developed ‘Flag Out’ format. This works as follows:

The competitors performed in timed heats each wearing a unique colored vest corresponding to a flag. The flag of the competitor at the end of a heat with the lowest score is lowered and the kiter is out of the event at that point. The final heat will be among the last three riders kiting.



Walking on air




Photo: Hans de Gelder FB page




The venue, way, back in the day.




A VERY short clip giving a feeling of place while showing a kiter seemingly almost tunnel head first into the beach?













Florida local favorite Billy Parker made it to Heat 14 out of 16 against some stiff competition including a line tangle in 40 kts. with another competitor in Heat 2. Billy shows up below and I believe in the photo above too.




Billy Parker hops a wave
Photo: "Shaun Engler FB Page"













Sam Medysky riding for Best out of Canada pops a nice one.
Photo: http://medyskykiteboarding.com/redbu...-the-air-2013/




















A longer promo clip in advance of the event























A monster boost captured on Kiteforum, http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2379176




A well edited clip from yesterday's event




Robby and Susi were judges at the event









The winners ... Jessie Richman, first, Nick Jacobsen, second and Sam Light, third.


From Red Bull about the event:

"Jesse Richman crowned "King of the Air"

On a day that saw winds and emotions riding high, Cape Town’s Big Bay played host to the latest edition of Red Bull King of the Air. In front of 5,000 spectators, America’s Jesse Richman clinched the win in a battle that saw the some world’s best kiteboarders pull airs of up to 25m.

CAPE TOWN (South Africa) – Cape Town’s famed Table Mountain was the perfect backdrop for the sixteen invited kiteboarders and eight wildcards to face-off in a unique ‘flag out’ competition format. At the end of an epic day it was Jesse Richman from the USA who managed to edge out Sam Light and Nick Jacobsen to grab victory in front of a 5000-strong crowd.

“I never expected this and I’m so amazingly pumped! Red Bull King of the Air has been the biggest event in the world since the very beginning - I competed in it when I was a little kid and it was the coolest thing ever. To come here and win this event is unbelievable! By far the best riders in the world were throwing down in the best conditions today!” commented the 20-year-old Hawaii native.

Scored by a judging panel comprising 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 Thijsse, the competitors were judged on the height, creativity and style of their manoeuvres, with athletes pulling airs up to 25 metres above the water.

Godfather of wind-based watersports Robby Naish was in Cape Town to check out the event. “I’m a little embarrassed to say this but this was my first time in South Africa. It’s a real pleasure to be here, I’m really stoked I came! I always knew it was good here,” remarked Robby on his first visit to the country. “We’ve been talking about resurrecting Red Bull King of the Air for a while and today we had some of the best conditions - this was best exhibition of high performance kitesurfing I’ve ever seen. Big Bay was the perfect venue for this event. If this place wasn’t on the map before today, it’s definitely going to be after. I don’t think ever seen this many people at a kiteboarding event.”

Final Results: 1. Jesse Richman (USA), 2. Nick Jacobsen (DEN), 3. Sam Light (GBR), 4. Youri Zoon (NED), 5. Andries Fourie (RSA), 5. Lewis Crathern (GBR), 7. Gianni Aragno (ESP), 7. Kevin Langeree (NED)"
https://www.redbullcontentpool.com/




KING OF THE AIR, Naish rider JESSE RICHMAN, in boots no less, that is some commitment!


More information including complete videos will be posted in time at http://www.redbull.co.za/ .
This is an early compilation. You can go over the Red Bull Tweets from the event today at https://twitter.com/RedBullZA

and a blow by blow update of heats at:
http://www.africaextreme.co.za/blog/...e-live-ticker/


Way to go guys, excellent event!!!






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[ricki]

I've added quite a few more images and some background info to the write up. There's even a French chart from the 1600's if you want to figure out how to get around. Well, maybe four centuries past?

Here is a look back, an announcement about the very first Red Bull King of the Air contest in 1999 Maui. I think I have the VHS cassette for this event but I'll be damned if I can find a clip online?! Thousands of handle passes but no truly historic clips, values gone astray.


http://archives.starbulletin.com/199...ts/story2.html




The launch at the last King of the Air event in Maui in 2005




Another shot from 2005

2005 Photos: Red Bull Content Pool

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[Kiteboarding Tampa Bay]

Great writeup Rick!

Here's a few older ones from the Red Bull King Of The Air Series.

From 2007-http://tampabaykiteboarding.com/vide...eboarding-maui

From 2005- http://tampabaykiteboarding.com/vide...-bull/untitled

From 2003- http://tampabaykiteboarding.com/vide...f-the-air-maui

Happy Kiting!
www.kiteboardingtampabay.com

[ricki]

Thanks for finding the clips! The difference in jump height from back in the day to Sunday's event is impressive.


Here is the official Red Bull video covering the event. It provides some amazing viewing, check it out!



"After an 8-year hiatus Red Bull King of the Air has returned with a new format, new location and the mission to bring back the wow factor to kiteboarding.

Cape Town's famed Table Mountain was the perfect backdrop for the world's top 24 kiteboarders to face-off in the unique 'flag out' competition format. In the end it was Jesse Richman from the USA who managed to edge out Sam Light and Nick Jacobsen to emerge victorious.

http://redbullkingoftheair.co.za
__________________________________________________ _________

Experience the world of Red Bull like you have never seen it before. With the best action sports clips on the web and YouTube exclusive series, prepare for your "stoke factor" to be at an all time high.

Red Bull on Facebook: http://win.gs/redbullfb

Red Bull on Twitter: http://win.gs/redbulltwitter

Subscribe to Red Bull on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_...d_user=redbull "




"Event participant performs during the Red Bull King of The Air at Big Bay, Cape Town on the 3rd February, 2013 // Kolesky/Nikon/Red Bull Content Pool // P-20130204-00007 // Usage for editorial use only // "

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[ricki]

Red Bull Content Pool


It happens again soon!

From the Red Bull website:

"RED BULL KING OF THE AIR IS BACK!

In 2014 and we’re going bigger and higher than ever before.

In 2013 – The world’s best kiteboarders descended on Cape Town to compete in this refreshing new big air format competition. With 9 countries represented this truly global lineup took Kiteboarding to new heights. In the end it was the young Hawaiian Jesse Richman who took the 2013 Red Bull King of the Air title.

In 2014 the top 12 riders from 2013 are back to compete for the prestigious title of Red Bull King of The Air. There are 12 wildcard entires available for 2014 so if you think you’ve got what it takes – apply.

The Competition:
During the event some of the best kiteboarders in the world will attempt their most extreme tricks in the pursuit to become the 2014 Red Bull King of the Air - The Biggest big air kite event in the world. Not for the average kiter.

Weather Window Period:
25th Jan 2014 – 9th Feb 2014 Red Bull King of the Air is a one day event. The date and time of the event will be determined by wind conditions.

The Location:
Big Bay in Cape Town, South Africa. World-class kiting conditions."


Profiles of the dozen riders invited to compete are at:
http://www.redbull.com/za/en/stories.../the-wildcards

[ricki]

Red Bull King of the Air for 2014

"For the second year in a row Cape Town’s Big Bay played host to 24 of the world’s best kiteboarders as they went head-to-head in a unique ‘flag out’ competition format.

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 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 everyone 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 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 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 judges and live stream. Frenchman Tom Herbert recorded the highest jump of the day – a lofty 25.04m.

Head judge Alex Vliege was pleased about 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 of 23.37m.

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

http://www.redbull.com/za/en/stories...f-the-air-2014







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[ricki]

The Red Bull King of the Air event is coming up again for 2015. Toby Braeuer of Kiteforum has made his pitch for competing in the event with the following video:


King of the Air 2015 Toby Braeuer














Toby has a shot at one of the 8 video application spots and perhaps another 4 wildcard spots. A total of 24 riders are to compete. A summary of the process follows:

I. REGISTRATION
1) Registration: Red Bull King of the Air is an invitational event. Only the 24 invited riders are allowed to enter the event competition.
2) Division of fleet: Top 12 from the previous years ranking of Red Bull King of the Air
Top 8 from the ranking of the online video competition
4 wildcards given out to riders selected by event committee
3) Every invited competitor will have to confirm the participation by email before November 30, 2014 at following email address: kingoftheair@za.redbull.com
4) Competitors willing to participate to the online video competition will have to submit a 1 – 3 minute video of their biggest moves. A committee/jury will judge all the videos and decide on the top 10 entries which will then be put up to a public, online vote. The top 8 entries with the highest public votes will go through to the event. Video submissions close on the 17th November and need to be uploaded to the official event website (wwww.redbullkingoftheair.com).
5) Every competitor needs to complete registration in person before the official registration period ends. All official registration periods will be posted on the official Red Bull King of the Air website.
http://redbullkingoftheair.com/the-rules/


Good luck Toby and hope to see you boosting huge in South Africa!


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