King of the Air hat-trick for Langeree

NETHERLANDS kite- surfer Kevin Langeree scored a hat-trick and made history when he scooped the top spot in the Red Bull King of the Air competition for the third time at Kite Beach in Milnerton.

The Cape Doctor rolled into Kite Beach on Wednesday as Langeree, the champion in 2014 and last year, became the King of the Air for the third time.

The world’s top riders did not disappoint and treated the 9 000-plus spectators to the highest level of big air kiteboarding.

Langeree’s final combination left the result without question, although American Jesse Richman and Spaniard Liam Whaley put up a valiant fight.

“This feels amazing. I put so much time into training and getting ready for the contest and coming out on top is just magical as there was a lot of pressure on me as defending champ.

“Jesse and Liam were on fire and went big. I had to pull everything out of the bag. But, yeah, I did it again… my third win. I couldn’t be happier,” Langeree said.

This year, Red Bull King of the Air returned for its 6th time where boarders competed in what was regarded as the pinnacle of big-air kiteboarding.

The competition takes place on the windiest day between January 26 and February 10 and sees 18 kiteboarders go as high and as big as they can in powerful winds exceeding 25 knots.

The action started on January 31, as near perfect wind and swell provided strong conditions for the world’s top kiteboarders to take to the skies.

A major upset saw two-time English winner Aaron Hadlow crash out in Round 2 and unable to continue after a rib injury.

Local hopefuls Joshua Emanuel and Ross-Dillon Player exited the competition in Round 4.

Yesterday, as day two of the action resumed, only six of the 18 athletes remained – battling it out in the last two rounds of the competition: Lasse Walker (NED), Liam Whaley, Jesse Richman, Nick Jacobsen (DEN), Aurelian Petreau (FRA) and Kevin Langeree.

Head judge Alex Vliege said the action was “mind-blowing”.

“You can see that this is the best big air event of the year – every single athlete has been training for this event and it shows in the combinations they’re executing. They’re innovating their tricks and combos year-on-year, evolving the sport,” Vleige said.

The mystic “Most Extreme Move” award went to Jesse Richman for his powered “kung fu 1080 handlepass” on the first day.

You can see this is the best big air event of the year – every single athlete has been training for it

Alex Vliege Head judge