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Toby
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Postby Toby » Fri Dec 18, 2015 1:53 pm
Riders announced for Red Bull King of the Air 2016
Who’s who of international kiteboarding make lineup for premier big air kiteboarding competition in Cape Town.
Cape Town (South Africa) - Every year Cape Town and her prolific South-Easter plays host to the world’s best kiteboarders. For the past three years, they have competed in what is largely considered to be the pinnacle of big air kiteboarding, Red Bull King of the Air. With the competition – due to take place at Big Bay on the windiest day between the 30th of January and 14 February – an epic list of riders has been announced to compete for the 2016 title, including defending champion, Aaron Hadlow (GBR).
“For the last 15 years I’ve spend my ‘winters’ in Cape Town so it felt really special to win an event here, in front of so many friends,” said the five-time world champion. “It was all the first time in many years that my parents got to see me live on a podium.”
“I’ve been in Cape Town for the last couple of days and have started preparing for the competition. I use the extremely windy days to test equipment and get back into the swing of things. Then, once January comes around, I focus on it a bit more in the weeks leading up to the event. It’s all about time on the water and confidence in the strong winds.”
Hadlow landed two massive megaloop KGBs in the 2015 final to snatch the title previous winners, Jesse Richman (USA) and Kevin Langeree (NED). All three are set to return to see if they’re able to claim the title a second time.
“I find choosing a winner of the comp unpredictable – you can always look at previous champs like Jesse and Kevin but there’s a long list of names that can put on a performance at the event. Despite there being some favourites I really feel the field is wide open for anyone to win,” Hadlow said.
The rest of top 12 from Red Bull King of the Air 2015 return with the exception of crowd-favourite Ruben Lenten, due to illness. The remainder of the field is then made up from video contest entries (selected by the judging panel) and two wildcards. Two-time World Kiteboarding Champion Youri Zoon (NED) and South Africans Oswald Smith and Andries Fourie are amongst those who will compete.
Full lineup for the Red Bull King of the Air 2016:
Pre-qualified:
Aaron Hadlow (GBR); Kevin Langeree (NED); Jerrie van de Kop (NED); Jesse Richman (USA); Nick Jacobsen (DEN); Steven Akkersdijk (NED); Sam Light (GBR); Billy Parker (USA); Lewis Crathern (GBR); Tom Hebert (FRA); Antonin Rangin (FRA); Youri Zoon (NED); Alex Pastor (ESP)
Video submission winners:
Andries Fourie (RSA); Marc Jacobs (NZL); Lasse Walker (NED); Reno Romeu (BRA); Willem van de Meij (NED); Ariel Corniel (DOM); Oswald Smith (RSA); Gijs Wassenaar (NED); Sam Medysky (CAN); Antoine Clerc (FRA); Graham Howes (RSA).
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Attachments
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- KOTA 2015 podium
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Tone
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Postby Tone » Fri Dec 18, 2015 2:09 pm
Wow!
such a surprise with the riders!!!!!!!!!!
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nikalaitzian
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Postby nikalaitzian » Fri Dec 18, 2015 2:13 pm
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Toby
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Postby Toby » Fri Dec 18, 2015 2:37 pm
well in OUR poll we had the most votes for:
Andries Fourie (RSA)
Marc Jacobs (NZL)
Lasse Walker (NED)
Reno Romeu (BRA)
Willem van de Meij (NED)
Oswald Smith (RSA)
Sam Medysky (CAN) and Ariel Corniel (DOM) had a few less, but I know them and I personally voted for their videos, since they will bring some variety, and can also jump huge. Ariel won Big Air events already. Great rider.
These riders had less votes, I personally also liked Graham, but not many others.
Gijs Wassenaar (NED)
Antoine Clerc (FRA)
Graham Howes (RSA)
Anyway, a good mix of riders this time.
And I do hope the judges will pay more attention to variety. And the trick of the day should be one of the highest since this is their main judging criteria.
Good winds and good luck to all riders to stay injury free, since these can be very extreme conditions.
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baobob
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Postby baobob » Fri Dec 18, 2015 5:12 pm
Ah ah they should invite a guy who wasn't able to pass the 1st round in the only competition he entered this yeas isn't?
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Faxie
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Postby Faxie » Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:10 pm
Let's hope it's 'king of the air' in stead of 'king of the megaloop' this time...
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Starsky
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Postby Starsky » Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:37 pm
Sure, but he who deserves to be King, is he who lands the sickest loops.
Name someone else prince of the air if you like.
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BillyGoatGruff
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Postby BillyGoatGruff » Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:27 pm
How is the cape town season shaping up this year ? Is there a risk of the clam days of last time around.
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Toby
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Postby Toby » Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:24 pm
Judges should be aware that it is not a megaloop challenge.
King of the Air should be the one crowned who shows the highest jumps with the most variety of tricks.
Someone with boots has limited variety over someone with straps, who could show one footers and boardoffs.
I think it is sad that Aaron does not show boardoffs...he was once the king of it. It would add to his show being a true King in all areas which we all want to see.
Too bad he is too cool for that.
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Starsky
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Postby Starsky » Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:39 pm
To be crowned king at the sport's major high wind big air contest you should be riding so hard that lacing up is the only option.
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