A host of past champions, local favourites and new faces will all vie for the title
(CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA) The most prestigious big air kiteboarding contest in the world, Red Bull King of the Air, will feature an innovative new format when the weather window opens on 1 February 2020.
Building on an innovative new entry and qualification process, the event will be run over three distinct sections.
The new entry process featured four satellite events around the world in a series billed as Fly to Red Bull King of the Air. The four winners from these events – Alberto Cruz, Lewis Crathern, Ross-Dillon Player and Stuart Downey – automatically gained entry to Rounds One and Two of Red Bull King of the Air.
In keeping with the constant innovation of the event, the format will also change in 2020, seeing these four winners, along with 14 video entry winners (*see full list of 12 winners and two wildcards below) competing in rounds One and Two of Red Bull King of the Air. These rounds will take place at a mobile venue, which offers the best conditions on the day - the Witsand-Misty Cliffs area, Scarborough or Kite Beach.
From there they will advance to take on the top six invited riders from the 2019 Red Bull King of the Air event at Kite Beach in Round Three.
“I think new format is really cool,” said 2019 defending champ and three-time Red Bull King of the Air winner, Kevin Langeree.
“Those first two rounds will give some new riders a big opportunity to show what they’re capable of and to eventually compete for the title.” 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 2019 final to make him the winningest Red Bull King of the Air competitor.
One new rider who will be charging for the title is Angely Bouillot. She will become the first woman to compete in Red Bull King of the Air after claiming her spot through the video entry competition. “I’m really proud to be selected for Red Bull King of the Air 2020 after three years of trying,” Bouillot said. “It’s a real honour and am excited to prove that women have a place in these extreme events and my mission is to inspire young women to participate in more events like this.”
FULL RIDER LIST
Top six from 2019 (in seeded order, into Round Three)
Kevin Langeree (NED)
Jesse Richman (USA)
Liam Whaley (ESP)
Nick Jacobsen (DEN)
Lasse Walker (NED)
Aurelien Petreau (FRA)
Fly to Red Bull King of the Air winners
(in alphabetical order to Rounds One and Two)
Lewis Crathern (GBR)
Luis Alberto Cruz (DOM)
Stuart Downey (RSA)
Ross-Dillon Player (RSA)
Video entry selections
(in alphabetical order to Rounds One and Two)
Steven Akkersdijk (NED)
Angely Bouillot (FRA)
Airton Cozzolino (CPV)
Ryan De Witte (NED)
Joshua Emanuel (RSA)
Janek Grzegorzewsky (POL)
Aaron Hadlow (GBR)
Clemet Huot (FRA)
Marc Jacobs (NZL)
Posito Martinez (DOM)
Antonin Rangin (FRA)
Reno Romeu (BRA)
Oswald Smith (RSA)
Jason van der Spuy (RSA)
