31 January 2018 |
Kiteboarding
The world’s craziest kiteboarding competition is over, and there was unbelievable action unfolding in front of thousands of ecstatic big air kiteboarding fans.
The judges were looking for extreme big airs, style, and variety of maneuvers, and wind was giving athletes the boost they needed to perform huge jumps and loops.
Kevin Langeree and Liam Whaley were the last two men standing. After watching Lewis Crathern being flagged out, leaving the contest area and finishing third, the duo went for broke.
And what a showdown. The Dutch built confidence throughout the event and his moves began to unroll naturally and effectively in the 30 plus knots of “Cape Doctor” southeast wind on offer.
Langeree, 29, had already won King of the Air once in 2014, but he wanted to write his name in the history books one more time. This year, he pulled off a move that, in the past, put him out the event.
Riding on instinct, the finalists made good use of the conditions and delivered a super spectacle in front of a packed beach. The fans had to hold their breath until the speaker announced the grand winner.
In the end, Kevin Langeree was pronounced the 2018 Red Bull King of the Air champion, and the crowd erupted in cheers. According to the organization, there were more than 6,000 people watching from the beach.
“Everything just came together and it’s like a dream come true. To win it again is just a magical feeling. The move to Kite Beach was the best thing ev because it gave us the opportunity to show our moves,” said Kevin Langeree.
Whaley, who had been called up as a late replacement for the injured Nick Jacobsen, was also happy with a runner-up finish.
British freestyler Aaron Hadlow won the most extreme move of the event with his first ever landed mega loop, front roll board-off.
The 2018 King of the Air was, once again, a spectacular display of kiteboarding, and continues to be one of the most coveted trophies in the sport.
2018 Red Bull King of the Air
1. Kevin Langeree (NED), 28.88
2. Liam Whaley (ESP), 26.26
3. Lewis Crathern
4. Jesse Richman
4. Aaron Hadlow, Steven Akkersdijk
7. Lasse Walker, Sam Light, Gijs Wassenaar
10. Joshua Emanuel, Marc Jacobs, Antonin Rangin
13. Oswald Smith, Ross Dillon Player, Reno Romeu
16. Jerrie Van De Kop, Tom Bridge, Ruben Lenten
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Source: WCAK
