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Red Bull King of the Air Green Light – Sunday 3rd Feb

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The World’s top Kiteboarders to descend on Cape Town for Red
Bull King of the Air 2013

 

“Green” light for the Red Bull King of the Air 2013.
As charts and websites are confirming the possibility to have great weather and wind conditions for the coming weekend, this is your “OFFICIAL CALL” for the Red Bull King of the Air 2013.
With a cold-front hitting the cape peninsula on saturday night the expectations are to have “proper southerly wind” starting form the late morning of Sunday 03 Feb, sharply increasing to 30/35 knots during the day. Together with a long period moderate swell to complete the right ingredients for “perfect” conditions.
Get Down to Big Bay on Sunday 03, for the Biggest and most extreme Kite comp in history.
Press Release.

The much anticipated return of Red Bull King of the Air has seen kiteboarders the world over doing
anything to get their hands on an entry. Sixteen of the world’s best as well as eight wildcards have
been selected to compete.

CAPE TOWN (South Africa) Red Bull King of the Air returns to the fore after an eight year
hiatus since the last running of the event in Maui, USA and wind patterns are currently
looking favourable for the window period of 1 – 15 February at Big Bay, Blouberg on Cape
Town’s coastline.

Sixteen invited kiteboarders from around the world will be joined by eight wildcards.

Included in the lineup are extreme kiteboarder Ruben Lenten (NED), compatriot and
world number 1 in 2012 Youri Zoon (NED), Lewis Crathern(UK), who recently jumped over the Brighton and Worthing piers, and local wildcard Oswald Smith who goes into the competition having just won SA Champs.

The judging panel consisting of fearless female kiteboarder Susi Mai, editor of Kiteworld
Magazine and presenter of ‘The Kite Show’ Jim Gaunt and South African original Red Bull
King of the Air alumnus Greg Tijsse will be watching the water to gauge height, style and
creativity each kiteboarder executes their movement with.

Local wildcard Graham Howes. Photo: Craig Kolesky/Nikon/Red Bull Content Pool

The newly developed ‘flag out’ competition format is unlike any others – it gives each
kiteboarder the opportunity to pull their best moves and score high. Four riders hit the water
wearing different colour rash vests that matching a corresponding flag on the beach. After
an allocated time, the rider with the lowest score will be flagged out (flag will be lowered) and
must leave the water. The last man standing is the winner.

The event will also feature the godfather of wind-based watersports Robby Naish who will be
in Cape Town to put the title hopefuls through their paces in the lead up to the event. Robby
has multiple World Titles across windsurfing and kiteboarding disciplines and still competes
internationally, at the tender age of 49.

Photo: JD Photofairy: Red Bull Content Pool

The Invited Kiteboarders

Ruben Lenten (NED) Redbull Extreme Kiteboarder.
Kevin Langeree (NED) 2009 World Champion
Youri Zoon (NED) 2011/2012 World Champion
Nick Jacobsen (DEN) Crane Jumper
Billy Parker (USA)
Sam Light (GBR)
Lewis Crathern (GBR) Brighton/Worthing Pier jumper
Kevin de Smidt (NED) Redbull Boven N.A.P winner
Steven Akkersijk (NED) Redbull Boven N.A.P winner
Jesse Richman (USA)
Tom Court (GBR)
Luke Whiteside (GBR)
Gianni Aragno (ESP)
Shawn Richman (USA)
Luke McGillewie (RSA)
Reno Romeu (BRA)

The Wildcards

Sam Medysky (CAN)
Oswald Smith (RSA)
Johnno Sholte (NED)
Andries Fourie (RSA)
Graham Howes (RSA)
Jandre Fraser (RSA)
Alan Steele (RSA)
Nicolas Falcou (FRA)

Local Bruce Gonlag. Photo: Nick Muzik/Red Bull Content Pool

Follow Red Bull King of the Air:
Twitter: @RedBullZA (#RedBullKingoftheAir)
www.redbullkingoftheair.co.za