King of the Air 2018 - All Info

[Qiter]

Seems as if the Internets favorite Aurelien Petreau might miss it, his Grandfather died and he returned to France...

[Lanc]

Looks like it will happen on Saturday:

RedbullKingOfTheAirGo.JPG (48.05 KiB) Viewed 1761 times

[Toby]

Seems as if the Internets favorite Aurelien Petreau might miss it, his Grandfather died and he returned to France...

That is very bad news! KOTA needs him

[a99]

Strange why they do event on this saturday, first day of KOTA, if they have still two weeks. On Tue seems more wind. Probably regarding spectators and weekend suitable good for all. Sad that Aurelien cannot be. From Kevin L last vblog i understand that he practices to do megaloop board off. Probably this trick will do lot of riders, seems that its now will be usual trick for pros.

[Toby]

Let’s hope someone else will pull the Boardoff Megaloop...it’s the next level in kiteboarding.
So many more variations possible !!!

It’s good that they start early...if you have Follower KOTA over the years you saw some desperate stuff trying to get the results in.

Wind is still fine Saturday! And then finals on Tuesday in even stronger winds.

Saturday we could see some more technical tricks and Tuesday more height. Good for variety...many people watching!

[Hugh2]

I can't tell you how sorry I am not to be there this year, it is going to be epic. Just hope nobody gets hurt.

Here's Kevin and Jesse with the weather - https://www.redbull.com/za-en/king%20of ... 20forecast

[Hugh2]

a99, they have to go for it when the wind is good, otherwise in the past they have sometimes struggled and even extended the window by one day one year. Also, this year it is earlier in the season, giving more assurance of good wind. But the forecasts are looking great for a good event. I just wish they had the flexibility to start tomorrow and get it all done in two consecutive days, ending on Saturday night for a great party, but I understand the problems with logistics and getting everything setup. From the video above of Kevin and Jesse giving the weather, it looks like they are taking up most or all of the parking at Kite Beach for the stands, which is great (otherwise folks will trashed the dune there), but it means people should take buses to get to the event as there will be precious little parking available.

[Toby]

Countdown to Red Bull King of the Air 2018 as begun

This is it, the most anticipated kiteboarding contest of the year is days away from getting underway. The weather window for Red Bull King of the Air opens on Saturday 27 January. The event will have a two-week waiting period (closing on 11 February) and the world’s 18 best big-air riders will take each other on, only when conditions are perfect.

“Conditions need to be epic,” says Sportive Director, Sergio Cantagalli, explaining that the ideal conditions would see a Southeasterly of consistently over 25-knots, combined enough swell running for the riders to project off. “It’s an extreme big air contest, not a freestyle event, and the wind and waves need to offer the riders the opportunity to put on a big performance,” he says.

The 2018 event will take place at Kite Beach in Blouberg. Cantagalli and his team feel the move from Big Bay will give riders an even better chance to perform at the highest level in the best conditions.

A rider who will unfortunately be unable to take to the skies this year is 2017 defending champion Nick Jacobsen. Jacobsen broke his ankle in a big crash recently and is out of the water for approximately 4 months. “I’m pretty bummed I’m not able to try and defend my title. I unfortunately broke my ankle kiteboarding - just two weeks before the event. We all know there’s a high risk of injury in big air kiteboarding,”says Jacobsen. “I’ll be supporting the guys all the way. May the best guy win.”

Currently the forecast looks favourable for the first week, with something possibly developing on day one (Saturday) as well as some good conditions predicted for coming Tuesday. "There is a strong possibility that conditions could be favourable on Saturday afternoon,” Cantagalli says. “At this range and considering the larger synoptic weather (hot interior) strong to near gale afternoon SE winds are expected. A current long-period southwest swell will result in a deep and well developed surf zone, which could last into the weekend. Monday afternoon and Tuesday again have some long period southwest swell and there is the prediction of some wind. Let’s see what develops.”

Watch the three-day forecast, with previous winner Kevin Langeree and friends, here https://www.redbull.com/za-en/king%20of ... 20forecast

If you’re unable to make it down to Kite Beach for the event, every heat will be streamed live. For the latest updates, head over to http://redbullkingoftheair.com/

Full 2018 rider list (in no particular order):
Aaron Hadlow (UK); Ruben Lenten (NL); Lewis Crathern (UK); Steven Akkersdiik (NL); Lasse Walker (NL); Oswald Smith (RSA); Reno Romeu (BRA); Jerrie van de Kop (NL); Jesse Richman (USA); Kevin Langeree (NL); Aurelien Petereau (FRA); Joshua Emanuel (RSA); Marc Jacobs (NZ); Ross Dillon Player (RSA); Antonin Rangin (FRA); Sam Light (UK); Gijs Wassenaar (NL), Liam Whaley (ESP)

[mrandrewandrade]

Update for Marc Jacob's gear:

[BernieTomic1]

Anticipation building.