North backs 10-years of Big Air

Red Bull King of the Air

Cape Town, South Africa

24 November – 9 December 2022

Tune in here for the latest from Blouberg, Cape Town as the riders ramp up.

North Kiteboarding is proud to partner once again with Red Bull King of The Air, an event that celebrates the power of the elements and our athletes like no other.

Recognised as the single biggest driver of progression in the sport of Big Air kiteboarding, this year’s Red Bull King of the Air marks the 10th anniversary of the event being hosted in Cape Town, South Africa. Between 24 November and 9 December 2022, 18 of the world’s best kiteboarders will descend upon Blouberg Beach for some massive air and huge scores.

North Brand Director Mike Raper: “North is honoured to continue our unwavering partnership with this amazing event. It’s the biggest event on the kiteboarding calendar and the pinnacle of our sport. What better way to support the spirit of Big Air? We’re also enormously proud of our riders, winning titles for the past two years. We’re in awe of what they are capable of.”

Representing North in 2022 are the reigning King Marc Jacobs (New Zealand) and upcoming young talent, Luca Ceruti (South Africa).

Marc Jacobs: “This year is exciting for me because I am the defending champion. I’ve always dreamt of being in this position and now I’m finally here. The 10th-anniversary event is going to be a big one, with so much new talent coming through the ranks. Big Air has just exploded. With a wider range of technical tricks we can pull, it’s going to be interesting how it all plays out. I'm ready for it all and can’t wait to go for another crown!”

Luca Ceruti: “Big Air is definitely moving more towards an extreme and technical side. I’m stoked as this is the way I’d like to keep pushing the sport. I’m super excited to compete – it’s been a dream of mine since I was a young kid.” 

HOW IT WORKS

Red Bull King of the Air is the world’s most extreme Big-Air kiteboarding contest, featuring invited riders from around the globe. Riders are judged based on the height of their jumps, variety of tricks, and style.

For 2022 the pressure is on to take technical Big Air riding to another level.

“Everyone can do a massive kiteloop with front-roll and board-offs. Come December, most of the fleet will be doing double loops, too. So the question is, where does it go next?” – Colin Colin Carroll

Last year Marc Jacobs claimed the iconic trophy with two Frontroll Contraloop Boardoffs, a Boogieloop Double Rotation and a very high overall Impression Score of 9.08, to gain a total score of 32.28. Pulling off 16 landed tricks versus his competitors nine put pressure on his competitors early in the heat. He rode with incredible power and precision.

Mike Raper is optimistic the Cape Doctor trade wind will deliver this year: “The roots of Big Air are firmly established in over-powered megaloops. For 2022, we have our fingers crossed for 40+ knots and big kickers. These conditions will provide an ideal arena for the world’s most powerful riders.”

2022 RIDERS

Aaron HADLOW GBR
Airton COZZOLINO ITA
Andrea PRINCIPI ITA
Beto GOMEZ COL
Edgar ULRICH FRA
Giel VLUGHT NED
Jason VAN DER SPUY RSA
Jeremy BURLANDO ITA
Joshua EMANUEL RSA
Kevin LANGEREE NED
Liam WHALEY SPN
Lorenzo CASATI ITA
Luca CERUTI RSA
Marc JACOBS NZL
Stig HOEFNAGEL NED
Timo BOERSEMA NED
Red Bull MEGALOOP winner (or first reserve)

PORSCHE GOLDEN TICKET (qualification heat contestants)

Jamie OVERBEEK NED
Cohan VAN DIJK NED
Evan KLIJN NED

The Porsche Golden Ticket is an exciting new opportunity that sees three rookies selected from the Red Bull King of the Air video entry portal. Each of these riders receives an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa and stands a chance to compete in the main event, by qualifying in a special pre-event qualification round on the first day of the competition.

LOCATION

Red Bull King of the Air Location, Blouberg Beach, Cape Town

HISTORY OF KOTA

The event first took place in Ho’okipa, Maui in the early 2000s before moving to Blouberg, Cape Town in 2013. It has served as the single biggest driver of progression in the sport of Big Air kiteboarding, with riders pushing the limits of amplitude, variety, execution and difficulty grade of the tricks to earn the crown.

North rider Jesse Richman (Hawai’i) held the title in 2013 and 2020. Nick Jacobsen (Denmark) won the crown in 2017 and was runner up in 2020. Both riders are supporting their team-mates in spirit from home with their young families this year.

This is Big Air.
Courage is calling.

2022 Red Bull King of the Air
Proudly brought to you by North

Tune in to the latest from KOTA (King of the Air) with North here

Watch the highlights of the 2021 Event on Youtube here, featuring North riders Marc Jacobs, Nick Jacobsen and Tom Bridge.