Kevin Langeree is the 2018 Red Bull King Of The Air

Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2018 Red Bull King of the Air – big air Kiteboarding competition were completed in good conditions on Saturday (27 Jan). On Wednesday (31 Jan) the ‘Cape Doctor’ Southeasterly wind, coupled with a good Southwesterly groundswell, lined up perfect conditions for the final rounds of action to take place.

Kevin Langeree wins the 2018 Red Bull King of the Air kiteboarding competition — Kevin Langeree

Kevin Langeree out-classed Liam Whaley and Lewis Crathern in the final to win his second KOTA title at Kite Beach in Blouberg. After a hiccup in Round 1 Langeree fought hard to advance through the rounds on both days, and peaked in the final. Whaley was called up as a late replacement for the injured 2017 defending champion Nick Jacobsen.

Liam Whaley showcasing his kiteboarding skill at Red Bull King of the Air — Liam Whaley

A 6,000-strong crowd lined Kite Beach and watched as the riders pushed each other from Round 3 all the way to the Final. Aaron Hadlow took the competition’s Mystic Move of the Day award with his Megaloop Inverted Board-Off Front Roll.

Lewis Crathern competing in the Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town — Lewis Crathern

Aaron Hadlow winning the Mystic Move of the Day at Red Bull King of the Air 2018 — Aaron Hadlow

“The move to Kite Beach was the best thing ever,” Langeree said, “It gave us as riders the opportunity to show our moves and it was definitely a day I won’t easily forget. To win it again is just a magical feeling.”

Red Bull King of the Air 2018 Results

1^st Kevin Langeree
2^nd Liam Whaley
3^rd Lewis Crathern
4^th Jesse Richman
4^th Aaron Hadlow
4^th Steven Akkersdijk
7^th Lasse Walker
7^th Sam Light
7^th Gijs Wassenaar
10^th Joshua Emanuel
10^th Marc Jacobs
10^th Antonin Rangin
13^th Oswald Smith
13^th Ross Dillon Player
13^th Reno Romeu
16^th Jerrie Van De Kop
16^th Tom Bridge
16^th Ruben Lenten