Lenten could have been a great pkra competitor, not as good as hadlow sure, but maybe a 2nd or 3rd place contender every year. He gave that up to pursue a different sort of kiting, going out in the maximum wind, throwing megaloops.
The point is that it is not about the difficulty of the move. it is about style. I don't get excited about a technically difficult back mobe. But I will never tire of watching a ruben lenten megaloop.
A lot of people are really excited about this kite, it has a slightly smaller leading edge diameter and it might be possible to throw some really sick loops with the 13 in lighter wind. It's a kite built for a style of riding that has no value on the pkra, it has no value for the guys doing board offs, it's a kite built just for people that want to ride a certain style.
I don't care if this style is "passed by" I like it. Hope that explains why people are excited about this kite.
Yeah. Take a look at the list of riders in the king of the air contest. Pick anyone of them and they ride just like that. Then, take a look at the date stamp on that video you posted, 2009. Like I said, 3-4 years ago it was cutting edge, now its just 'meh'. If you're claim is to be the 'extreme guy' in the sport then you should probably be coming up with some stuff rather than living off a trick you have been doing for so long that you could do it in your sleep. Remember the first backroll you ever did? The thought and concentration you would put into it when you learned it? Now you throw a backroll just to land your kite....
Really cutting edge 2009?
sorry try '05, '06.....
And Lenten was no 2 in '05 I think better in competition than just being in the top 10.
If that is what matters to people....
Plenty of big loops probably before most people heard of the sport
Anyway, stuff that is actually cool has never been about being "cutting edge" anyway,
it is just cool on its own.
Come on ladies - which one of you "dont know" someone new to the sport whos excited and yet scared to death, to learn them or go bigger !!!
Why not shoot down all kite companies who "didnt invent the kitesurfing kite" ... Now back to your keyboarding holes
Oh yeah - Marketing for 'Dummies' 101. People always remember the person who entertained them the most... Thats huge sponsorship in world media circles...