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- [00:00]
A
Okay. Welcome to New York Pizza slice about two minutes down the road from the King of the Air event site. It's the day after the King of the air, Thursday the 27th, and I'm sat here with Adrian Kerr and we're about to just quickly reflect on what happened yesterday. Some of it very predictable, some of it actually quite unpredictable.
- [00:26]
B
Yeah, maybe not the greatest King of the Air for riding or wind or conditions, but definitely the most stories we've ever had in a King of the Air. The event went three days. It all added up and the pizza guy's talking over me. I don't know what he said, but we're going to continue on. I mean, amazing amount of stories to come out of this event.
- [00:46]
A
Biggest one's got to be Andrea Pinchippi bombing out in round three. Biggest shock in a long, long time. Lost to a Zach Adams who was just on fire and got it in that one clutch moment that you've all seen all over the Internet with the quadruple flip thing. He. Andrea was on an 8 meter and not the latest Duo Turn Rebel, but the one that this year's Duo Turn Rebel, they're actually the new one released today. I saw the advertising all over the Internet, a different colour. So, yeah, interesting. Why was he not on a 9 completely randomly?
- [01:28]
B
We saw a couple of South African groms who we were told by Luca, are sort of the next young kids to come up under this current crop of riders riding it outside our place. I mean, it's crazy that they've got this kite before Andrea.
- [01:41]
A
I mean, that's a decision, though, to not have it in the public eye before release day. I. I would imagine, I don't know. But yeah, the reason brands want to do that is that so it doesn't damage anyone. That's all the shops, if you think about it, are sat on that stock of current Duotone Rebels and they don't want to stop someone buying that yesterday that was going to.
- [02:07]
B
I mean, this is the place to release it, right, because the industry's here. All the European riders who are going to be buying this kite up more than likely going to be down here for Christmas. So, yeah, it sort of makes sense if we talk quickly about the woman because you are going to hear the audio from the post show that we. We've already put online. For me, Lana Herman is a star in waiting and I think we're going to try and do more with her because all of us are sort of captured by her lack of communication almost, if that makes sense.
- [02:36]
A
Her Total lack of shit giving, most likely. Which is just quite compelling, isn't it? It's very refreshing in this polished, smooth era, no bits in your orange juice logos in the foam era, to have someone that just doesn't care. And it's just gonna say exactly how she feels about things and not gonna like. She feels like making you laugh. She'll do it. She feels like saying something that's quite heartfelt. She'll do it. And yeah, she's got the writing to match.
- [03:13]
B
I'm going to get her on the podcast. I'm kind of scared to do it because she's difficult. When I asked her, she just said, make sure you bring me a lot of beers. So I'm going to try and get that recorded. Or Ben and I will try and sit with her and record that before we leave Cape Town, because that's going to be fun. I think you guys are going to fall in love with this person because she is completely different to Zara and Pippa and Natalie, the current champion. And Francesca, she's a completely different personality and she's a power rider. And yeah, I think. I think you're going to fall in love with this person.
- [03:47]
A
I mean, yeah, Just to paint the picture, Adrian, if you. You will hear actually in this post show, she leaves the stage, which is a car park and Adrian is just like. That was like pulling teeth, I think is your quote. So, yeah. Lana Herman, a big star of this King of the Year. Leonardo Casati's gotta be the next big star of this one. Him and Zach Aditois. American kiteboarding, actually in general. Leo couldn't get his brother, but he did get everyone else in the whole fleet. Last story is the weird fleet this year changes. King of the Air sounded like they're gonna make to the video entry system as a result of that. Which you'll hear from a judge right at the end of this. No Jamie Overbeak, massive mistake. He. Will he be back? Of course. Will he be more fired up than ever? Of course. And we are looking forward to seeing that. Couple new kites. There's a new unreleased north kite with their new NU80 material that we haven't flown. Look great with the. With the women. They both Natalie and Francesca had only ridden it for two days before going into King of the End. They chose to ride it. So that says a lot. Cohen looked epic on it. Who else was really Sean? I think the two young boys that the two French boys who got in as 17th and 18th place were actually strong. Not good enough to Win a heat but strong riders. Did they deserve it more than Jamie Everbink? No, but they were good. And anything else? Any other musings? We're going to do winners and losers, aren't we?
- [05:30]
B
But yeah, the winners and losers will get out on Monday. Yeah. You know, we always wondered who was going to be or who was going to push Andrea, Lorenzo, Jeremy. You know, we thought these guys would dominate for five years but it's pretty cool to see that these guys have inspired this next generation already. You can hear Cohen or you've heard Cohen talking about how he was one of the first mentors for Zach and Zach took him to the very limit. So yeah, I don't know why we're whispering, but I kind of like it. Anyway, let's get to the show.
- [05:58]
A
I'm actually eating a pizza already. So yeah, let's just. You'll hear now the audio from the post show. If you want it in video form, go on the site. You can watch it for free. Cheers.
- [06:12]
B
Just picking up now and I'm pretty ready.
- [06:15]
A
Man.
- [06:17]
B
This one is probably a bit more nerve wracking.
- [06:20]
C
Kevin Langry, three time winner.
- [06:22]
B
This is like a heavyweight boxing match. This isn't the featherweights. There's no dancing around. Sponsor kicker first move. The rebel through the air for a woman is super clean.
- [06:38]
A
That is yet another innovation move. Marc Jacobs heading out towards the iconic Robben Island.
- [06:47]
C
Highest trick scorer in all, Red Bull Kingliers, Janik Chikachi.
- [06:52]
A
Kevin Langley has taken it for the third time.
- [06:56]
D
Way more than a dream come true.
- [07:03]
B
That is massive. Meanwhile out the back and that has to be facade.
- [07:07]
A
It's an all out teenager fit. We're excited to bring you the post show of King of the Air 2025. We've tried to do the intro multiple times now and it appears we can't. So we're just going to have to get into it. There's a new queen, her name's Natalie Lambrick. She was pretty dominant in that final. Not a single crash. 10 tricks.
- [07:30]
B
Yeah, I mean crazy performance, especially after last year. Heartbreak on the beach to go out, you know, before even going any further. She was devastated. She's had a great year. She's podiumed the megaloop and fulfilled her dream to hit the top of this event. A prolific runner up, whether it's freestyle or big air. I know she won that full power but this is a special one. I tell you what, I can't wait to speak to her because there's going to be so much emotion and look, she Just wanted that. She outworked them, she out tricked them and it was just, it was a perfect performance.
- [08:00]
A
New kite looked pretty sick as well. She's on that nu80 orbit that looked mint. Francesca didn't make it out of the semifinals against Zara Huggenrad, who ended up coming second. Zara was just going like super high, putting the kite like scary low all day. Just couldn't quite pip Natalie. And then Lana Herman, third place in the women's. Looked like she didn't ride how she can ride, but still an amazing King of the air debut, you'd have to say.
- [08:26]
B
Oh, absolutely. And great for her to come back from injury and you know, she's had such a hard road to get back here and to make the podium is just a testament to how hard she's worked. You mentioned Francesca. Another big crash. We've seen her limping around. There's some talk about a head knock again. I hope that's not true. But look, she just needs to rest up and get better. But look, we have got six awesome ladies at the top of the split and guess what? There's another four or five girls who are begging to get in. And there's more girls coming. I'm loving that we've got these girls here. This is the opportunity I need. How's this? They're riding the same size kite as the men. I mean, that's how crazy these girls are pushing it in these conditions. And believe me, it was windy today and those girls really wanted to send it.
- [09:03]
A
Francesca, Maney and Zara was maybe the juiciest heat of the whole day. Oh, it was kind of the one that everyone was like, oh, shit, that's going to be on. Oh, shit.
- [09:12]
B
You know, I mean, I've been waiting for that for two whole days. I mean, that was just. I mean, that was like last year's winner and the Megaloop winner was just what we wanted to see. But look, there is more girls that deserve to be in that group. And we've been talking about those 2, 1 and 2. But now we can start putting Natalie. We've always said Natalie's close, Lana's there, you know, we talk, Svenja's there. There's just, it's, it's. I can't say it enough. It's just exciting to see where we are with these ladies. And guess what? They're sending. I was up there with Sam Light, he was like, wow, the ladies level has just completely changed. It's not just basic back, back loops and back rolls and boogies now it's. They got board offs, they get height, they got late rotations. It was pretty awesome.
- [09:48]
A
It was epic. Yeah. Will Eluna, the Egyptian town of Eluna, will they be losing their. Right now?
- [09:55]
B
I want to be there. That's a place.
- [09:57]
A
Actually. It'll be similar to here.
- [09:59]
B
Yeah, they'll be partying. I'm sure the. The boys will be packing up. I mean, they probably didn't teach all afternoon as soon as they had on. Yeah. But look at the Makani Beach Club. They're going to have some serious parties tonight. And I tell you what, exciting times for Egyptian kiteboarding and Swedish kiteboarding as well. I know that she rides under the Swedish flag. Grew up in the Middle east, but that's sort of her real home there.
- [10:19]
A
Yeah. Epic. Epic performance from Nathalie Lambrecht. And you're right, actually, last year it was heartbreak. Those pictures are just like she's so that no one and nothing could console her during those moments. And we'll ask her. Actually, we better not, because it will trigger.
- [10:35]
B
There's two types of riders, right? There's riders like Lana who are emotionless and just ride fearless. And then there's people who wear their emotions on their sleeve. And Natalie is that person. You know, when it's all going well, it's there. But when it goes wrong, you know, it just comes out of it. But that's. That's not a bad thing. I think she can harness that. I mean, she had great kidding today from. From. Who was her caddy today? Oh, Michael Schipper. Yeah, Michael Schipper's just done great work with her. Maybe he's that calming influence that she's always needed someone to say to her, hey, let's go for this. Come for this. And I really thought that she. She rode super well. I mean, 10 tricks in the final, no crashes. I mean, that's a testament to how well she did.
- [11:09]
A
Must be nice, mustn't it? Also, I think her sister, Nicole Lambrecht, who's always been there as well. No Lambrecht parents. The one time she. She wins the biggest event of her life. Where are they?
- [11:21]
B
I don't know. I heard a rumor was that she told them that she didn't want them to be here because she didn't feel like she needed the pressure. I would love to be a fly on the wall to hear that conversation. But look, sometimes you have to make these big calls, right? Sometimes you need to do those little things so you can get in a headspace. And look, in conditions like this and under pressure like this, you need to have everything in a line. And maybe that was the secret.
- [11:41]
A
Lorenzo Casati, he's the Megaloop champ. He's the current world champ, and now he's the king of the air for the second time. And he won it on his debut on this exact day three years ago, the day after his birthday. No one was beating him. They really weren't. Some got kind of close, but not really.
- [12:01]
B
Yeah, I mean, he looked pretty good. Shahar put a little bit of a dent in the arm the other day. But look, in the finally just goes about his job. He doesn't crash. And it's just. He's like, AI, you know? And look, you talked about yesterday being his birthday.
- [12:13]
A
He AI hallucinates and gets it horrendously wrong, whereas he doesn't.
- [12:17]
B
His birthday was yesterday. This is the birthday of his first win. It's now the birthday of his second win. I mean, it's just so awesome to see. I'm really looking forward to seeing him because this is what he's always wanted. Every single time he loses this comp, he's absolutely devastated and takes it super hard. Look, some people can take loss as well. It really fires them up. It really fires him up. Let's shout out to the Casadi family. I mean, I think Renato must have sold his soul to Neptune, because every time those Cassadis turn around, there's a massive wall of water coming towards them. It's kind of crazy.
- [12:47]
A
You mentioned to me during the day that you think the walkie talkie communication is really a strong thing for that, for them as a team. What was that particular instance?
- [12:58]
B
It was in the semi final. He came in and he wasn't even anywhere near the inside bank. And he just suddenly stopped and turned around and went back out. And he must have been told, hey, this kick is coming in. And boom. He hit that kicker, got one of the biggest scores of his round. Not that he needed it, but I liked what I saw. And I think we're going to see more caddies, more teams, tap into this radio because, look, all big sports are using this type of technology. And in a sport like this where you need to have eyes and ears on all the conditions, I think it's a smart move.
- [13:24]
A
Clutch.
- [13:25]
B
A clutch move, yeah.
- [13:29]
A
Any other standout Lorenzo moments to. To ponder upon?
- [13:33]
B
I mean, look, you could tell Lorenzo was relaxed this morning. We did our live and we saw pop up. Hey, Lorenzo wants to join. It's pretty cool that a guy wants to join a live Stream with us two turkeys on the. On the day of the biggest comp of his year. And he's up there having fun with his glasses on, eating his eggs. But they're. That just shows the mood he was in. You know, maybe there's a little bit of. Didn't have the stress. You know, Andrea was out, Jeremy was out. He's coming into this final thinking, hey, the ball is really in my court here. If I go about my business, I'm going to take this out.
- [14:01]
A
Second place, Leonardo on debut. Only person that he couldn't go through was his brother. Leonardo's riding is. He's got, like, more aptitude for risk. He goes for stuff that maybe he shouldn't, maybe he's not going to land consistently, but it's actually the smart thing to do in a heat where you're second place because he needs to do something mad to overtake his brother. But we were kind of calling him out for not being as consistent, but then today he just got the job done.
- [14:34]
B
Yeah, absolutely.
- [14:35]
A
Kind of comfortably second place.
- [14:37]
B
Yeah, yeah. He did exactly what I was hoping it could do. But look, you know, I'm happy when guys push, push and take risks because that's what this event is about. You know, this event, you can't come in here and go through the motions, you know, but we, we can speak about KO in a second, going through the motions, but when it comes to the bottom line, you're going to have to put the pedal down and take those big chances. And I think with all those crashes, he. He knows he can take those risks now. And. But listen, what I said to him the other day about being consistent, he. He proved me wrong today. He was. He rode beautifully. And at stages, he was leading that final. He was putting pressure on Lorenzo. Was he going to win? I don't know, but I'm sure I would love to hear that. I wonder if we can get that audio from the mic, so it'll be super interesting to hear the audio of those two guys going back and forth. You know, I don't know if he was telling them who's leading, but, man, that. That would be fun to hear.
- [15:24]
A
Cone van Dijk. Do you think he's happy? We'll hear from him in a second, hopefully. But do you think he'll be happy with third place?
- [15:31]
B
You think he'd be happy with third place?
- [15:33]
A
He told me he would be before. Before the event. He said that a podium is a win, but whether now it's happened, I'm not sure. I'm not sure.
- [15:44]
B
I always question an athlete when he says, I'm happy with third place and I'm happy to make the podium. That's, you know. You know, we've heard Kevin talk about that, and we hear top guys talk about that. People, you know, if you're happy to make the final, that's the wrong attitude. You've got to be there. I'm out here to win. Look, we were talking about going through the motions, but maybe that's how.
- [16:00]
A
That's what brings out the best of him, just taking that pressure off.
- [16:03]
B
Maybe. We don't know, but, I mean, it's been a long time since Big Air Kite Leg caped down that he won an event. So we talk about going through the motions. Cohen was going through those emotions all day, but I think he rode best in that semi final against Zach. And the emotion that he showed at the end is maybe he. Maybe he rode his final then because he was so pumped to get through the final and he was so elated. Maybe that was a lot of energy. A lot of energy spent there. A lot of adrenaline got dumped out because in the final, he started out with those beautiful shark attacks on the inside. By the way, he's landing in about 2 inches of water. I have no idea how he did that, but he kept on going for them. Oh, some big crashes, but yeah, maybe he just spent. It was a little bit spent going into that final there.
- [16:43]
A
Okay, we're going to hear from our first athlete. It's going to be Lana Herman. Should we bring her in?
- [16:47]
B
Yeah, let's bring Lana in.
- [16:48]
A
Lana, it's your time. Yeah, you come make her look natural, guys. So this is our second time interviewing her because the first time we did it, me and Adrian weren't very good at it. So Lana's thankfully given us a second time. It's not the result you wanted, but you did hit the podium on your King of the Air debut. So I'm sort of thinking maybe you can be quite proud.
- [17:14]
E
No.
- [17:15]
A
Okay. I think, though. I think, though, this is an amazing start for you, and you can come into next year just blazing hot. What would you do differently? More Sudoku?
- [17:34]
E
I mean, I. My head was out, so I have to train this because the nerves took over. And, yeah, I did bad. I will train harder now and do better next time. My cousin always says life sucks and then you die.
- [17:56]
A
I've got some good Nietzsche books you could. You could read as well. Sorry.
- [18:01]
B
Let's talk about 2026. What's the plan? Yeah, what's The. What's the plans for next year, Lana? What are you going to do to. To get back here and obviously improve your performance?
- [18:08]
E
Oh, I will train hard as. As hard as I can because I quit my job. I put full energy, all my money, everything into kite surfing. And I will just train, train, train.
- [18:21]
B
And where are you going to be based to do all this training?
- [18:25]
E
Where there's strong wind.
- [18:27]
B
It's a great answer.
- [18:28]
A
Talk to me about the difference between being in the final and the other day's riding on day one. Was there much of a difference in your psyche? Did you still feel as nervous on Monday? Not Monday, the first day.
- [18:39]
E
No, I was much less nervous on Monday. That's why I also performed better. And yeah, also I think the conditions were a bit easier. But yeah, it's the pressure. I mean, I felt so good this morning. I felt so good yesterday evening. And then like 10 minutes before I entered the water, like, poof. You know, he came in my head. But I. It's just practice, you know.
- [19:04]
A
But what are the thoughts? What's making you nervous? What's coming into your head?
- [19:07]
E
It was just this heavy feeling and.
- [19:09]
C
It was more a feeling instead of.
- [19:11]
E
Enjoying and being present, it was more, fuck, I want this just to be over. So, yeah.
- [19:18]
B
Hey, look, I tell you what, it's great experience. Hey, tough luck today. Good luck for next year. And I'll tell you what, I'll tell you what. You've got one of these titles in your bag. I know you can do this.
- [19:26]
E
Yeah, me too. Thank you.
- [19:28]
B
Thanks very much.
- [19:28]
A
Thank you, Lana. See you again. You did well.
- [19:34]
B
That was like pulling teeth. Jesus Christ. I'm glad she. I'm glad she didn't. When I had to podcast with her later. Imagine doing a 25 minute podcast with that. Fuck, I'd shoot myself.
- [19:47]
A
That's going in. That's going in.
- [19:49]
B
She's epic. Yeah.
- [19:51]
A
I can't wait to watch you do the podcast with her. I think you should do one anyway.
- [19:55]
B
I think I'm gonna have to get her drunk.
- [19:57]
A
She's really. She's really a deeply funny person. Yeah, and an epic athlete, too. Today wasn't her day, but she can. She can really, really perform. What else are we talking about? I'm sweating.
- [20:10]
B
I am literally looking into. What's that?
- [20:16]
A
Yeah, good idea. Okay. As we wait for the next prized athlete to arrive. Let's go. Let's do the fantasy results.
- [20:26]
B
I'll tell you what. I haven't won. I haven't won.
- [20:28]
A
No. And I haven't won either. And I tried to come last and I wasn't even victorious at that. Someone else picked an even worse team. Okay, I'm annoyed.
- [20:38]
B
Give me the results, John.
- [20:40]
A
The results of who came.
- [20:42]
B
Yeah, let's have. Let's have. Let's have the top three and let's have the bottom two.
- [20:45]
A
Okay, the bottom two. In second to last place is a team called XXL Underdogs. Who the username is Leafka Kronka.
- [20:59]
B
I'm glad I'm not reading this.
- [21:01]
A
He has 834 points, which is terrible. And then in bottom place, the winner of the WU 4.0 for the most shocking fancy team ever to be picked at a king of the air, it is Paul Monimieux with a power. His team is called power with two W's and he got 765 points.
- [21:24]
B
I know those points seem high, but it is double points for the Red Bull King in there. So that's like getting 300 and something. Just pretty crappy.
- [21:32]
A
I wonder if. Because I was on purpose trying to get it wrong. I wonder if they were or whether they are just have fluked it and beaten me.
- [21:40]
B
Families, bro. Family. Family Picking. Let's do the top three. Let's do that. Let's do the winners. Let's do the winners because it's a great prize.
- [21:48]
A
Okay. Okay. Do you want to go? You tell us what the prize is?
- [21:52]
B
The prize for this year's if you win the fantasy at Red Bull King of there you get a core XR Pro 2. I think second place is the board. And third place again, a 4.0. So great prizes. Let's hear the top three.
- [22:05]
A
In third place with the winner of the 4.0 is Team ABC. Is such a bad team name ABC. Third place 4.0. Well done. Second place is Canakite. It's a bit better. Yeah, it's not great. Second place choice six from Core. Enjoy it. And in first place, a team called Argentina. And then the Argentinian flag emoji. And then again the Argentinian flag emoji. And that person's name is Matteo Medan. And he will be winning. He. Yes, will be winning a XR Pro 2. Great stuff, great stuff. The grand prize however, which is the.
- [22:49]
B
First prize overall is a week in Makani staying at the Three Corners property. It's a really great price. It's one of the best beach clubs in the world. And I tell you what, that is a prize that you are really going to enjoy. We've been there four or five times and I tell you what. Every time we go, we say this, we get excited to go and we're disappointed to leave.
- [23:07]
A
We sit there and we think this suits us down to the ground.
- [23:10]
B
The service, the buffet, the food, the kiting, the location and the luxury, it's all there.
- [23:15]
A
It's all. Yeah, that suits us. Now the winner is across the whole year, so it's every. Every fantasy event of the year. So this is actually pretty impressive. The winning team is called Wolf Pack, and it's by Andreas Wolfender.
- [23:37]
B
Congratulations.
- [23:38]
A
It's difficult to make that not seem anticlimactic monster, but I've tried my best and they're your fantasy winners, so well done to everyone that took part, the thousands and thousands of you. Unfortunately, I didn't come rock bottom like I wanted, but I think coming into next year, I can improve. You know, I think I was unlucky this time. Honestly, I don't think it was my picks. I think it was luck, wasn't lack of skill.
- [24:01]
B
You've been blown back. Let's come up. And while you've been blown back, let's bring in Zara Hugenrad, who got second at this year's event. Oh, Zara, how are you feeling? Congratulations.
- [24:13]
A
I don't want a wet. Oh, what do you mean?
- [24:16]
B
You smell really bad.
- [24:17]
E
Because I'm full of champagne.
- [24:19]
B
Oh, champagne. I like how you pronounce it. Zara, congratulations. I know it's not the result you really wanted, but awesome performance. And I mean, to. To lose to Natalie, who I know is a really close friend of yours, that must have been pretty special as well.
- [24:31]
E
Yeah, it makes me really emotional because I think she deserves it so much. And, like, I felt like that. Like, I know how it is to win a big competition like that, and I know both of us are really doubting ourselves a lot and think we cannot do that. We cannot do it. And now for her, I know how it feels. You know, I became world champion and it was like proof to myself that I could actually do it. And just so happy for her that she also can have that feeling now. Like, of course, my goal was to become first, but then if I'm second, then I want her to be first.
- [25:04]
B
I. I love the woman. They've got the best attitudes. The guys would never say that.
- [25:08]
E
No. Also, she's one of my closest friends, so she really, really deserves it. And I didn't see her riding, but I heard she landed all of her tricks, so fair enough.
- [25:16]
B
She won, you know, 10 from 10.
- [25:18]
E
Yeah.
- [25:18]
B
Yeah.
- [25:19]
E
That's insane. Really proud of her.
- [25:22]
A
How Was the final Talk us through the heat. Did you feel like you got off to an okay start? What tricks were you happy with?
- [25:28]
E
For me, it was. Was a little bit too light. I think, like, sometimes I could find some good gusts, but also the kickers were a bit difficult, so that's what I was struggling with a bit. I was, like, aiming to. I was training in conditions to go, like, really high, put the kite really low, but I didn't get the right conditions for that. But I'm proud of myself to make the most out of it, and normally I'm not riding that well in those conditions, so I'm really happy with my second plays.
- [25:56]
B
Hey, two hits today, man, what a day. To start. You've got to go straight up against Francesca, who's the reigning champion here. I mean, not an easy start to the competition. A tough start for the day.
- [26:10]
E
Yeah, yeah, it was really tough to go straight against the Queen. I heard she had a really bad crash again, so it was a bit sad for her, but I hope she will be fine soon.
- [26:21]
B
Just, you know, you understand that pressure. How's this going to change Natalie's life? Is there some pressure coming to results or going to events? When you've had these big wins, people look up to you and think, oh, you have to back that up. Do you feel that as a rider.
- [26:35]
E
I think for her, what's going to change most is that she has the proof. She has proven to herself now that she can actually do that, she can win it. You know, like, it's not only the win to become the Queen of the air, but it's like so much more. Everything you work for all year and all previous years, and it's like a reward, like, mentally, such a big reward, and she deserves so much to feel like that.
- [27:01]
A
Talk to me about the boogies, because your ones are very inverted. What is the trick?
- [27:07]
E
The boogie.
- [27:09]
A
How do you go so inverted?
- [27:11]
E
I don't know, actually. I just try to go, like, really upside down and put my legs against, like, towards my bar. And then I try to go as inverted as possible. But, you know, like, when I'm really, really powered, sometimes I don't go so inverted because then I get a lot of pull. But, yeah, now I was not so windy, so not so much pool.
- [27:32]
B
Which one feels better, a contra boogie or a normal boogie?
- [27:35]
E
I think my normal boogies are more consistent and with the contrast, I know I can put the kite really low. So that was what I was trying to do in those heats, but I think I had a Bit of problems with landing them to put the kite that low, but I'm gonna work on it.
- [27:51]
B
You know, I'm not winking at you, it's just that I'm looking straight into the light.
- [27:54]
A
I can imagine.
- [27:55]
B
I think I'm winking. I'm not.
- [27:57]
E
Oh, good.
- [27:58]
A
You were the, I think the only woman in the final to get a unique trick score of four. So that is. Do you want to run us through what you got them for?
- [28:06]
E
Yeah, my plan was to do a laid back boogie and if I could do it with an edit, but I couldn't get the added rotation in and then a boogie contra. And then the plan was to go for a kite lube board off. But the kite loop board of. I was like, I took off on like this. It was like 40 seconds before the, the timer. I took like on this little chop. I got the board out, I, I looped and then I, I see the kite there and I never download with my wrong hand, let's say. So I was really proud of myself for landing it. It was just not really high. But I was really proud that I got for, for unique points because that was the goal.
- [28:44]
A
Very good.
- [28:45]
B
Well, look, congratulations again and we'll let you go away and get dry and enjoy the night. Thanks, Zara.
- [28:50]
C
Shower.
- [28:51]
B
I enjoy it. I was born in champ. I was born in champagne.
- [28:55]
E
Are going to smell even worse than me.
- [28:56]
B
I'm sure it's okay.
- [28:58]
A
Okay, thanks.
- [28:59]
B
Thanks.
- [28:59]
A
Well done.
- [29:00]
B
Yeah. Look, there's one thing I like about the ladies is they're always happy for each other. You don't often see that on the guy side. I know that at face value they're happy, but deep down, sometimes those guys can be a little bit Sookie. But these, these girls are awesome. Right? That's. That's the spirit of the sport.
- [29:15]
A
Yeah, but it doesn't stop them like riding really hard, fighting.
- [29:18]
B
Oh, absolutely not. Yeah.
- [29:20]
A
Yeah. It's kind of a fine line, isn't it? And they get it perfect. Zara was good. She could have, she could have got it. I thought she could have.
- [29:28]
C
Yeah.
- [29:29]
A
Just lacking the board off consistency at the end. And maybe there's something in having done a heat beforehand like the one against Francesco. So you're not coming in completely fresh and fired up for a final.
- [29:42]
B
I think he goes. Well, I tell you what, we have Elliot. Let's bring in the queen here. I know it's not officially the queen, but let's bring him in. Natalie, congratulations.
- [29:52]
F
Thank you.
- [29:52]
A
No crying. Okay?
- [29:53]
F
No, I think it's gone now it's completely dry.
- [29:56]
B
You're completely empty.
- [29:58]
F
It's empty. Unless someone gives me a hug. Then it comes back.
- [30:02]
A
Natalie, tell us about the final. How was the heat?
- [30:06]
F
Yeah, it was really cool. Like, I don't know, I felt really calm and I was having, like, such a nice team on the beach and I was really just taking my time. I knew what I had to do and really just enjoying it. Go back and forth and just like, wait for the right kicker. And I don't know, some. For some reason I felt the clock was going in slow motion. I felt like I had so much time compared to last year where I was like, only. And this year I was like, ah, like a little butterfly. Oh, I will go now. Oh, now it's a good kicker. And then I was going, so I don't know, it felt absolutely incredible.
- [30:43]
A
You looked it honestly. And 10 trick scores, no crashes. Is that the best kiteboarding, 50 minutes of kiteboarding of your life?
- [30:53]
F
I think so, yeah. I don't think even in a training session I managed to do what I did in 15 minutes. So, yeah, the adrenaline certainly helps.
- [31:03]
B
Let's talk about Michael Sheppard brings to you. I know you've recently started working with him. I mean, good, you know, calm guy. And how much did he help and how much did he help you, you know, with the strategies and stuff today?
- [31:14]
F
Yeah, it was quite interesting because we had met like in Tarifa like quite a few months ago and I just randomly asked him, hey, can you help me? And then like, we chatted and we just tested working together. And I felt like immediately, like such a nice connection because we're also like really good friends. And I also felt like he could see exactly the things that I needed to work on. And then I arranged with him to go work in Brazil together. And I had so much fear built up and blocked that we were like slowly working on just going back to the basics. Like, let's just work on the takeoff because at the end it's about going high. So we just literally also because I had some back problems, we literally for two weeks just worked on jumping. And I think it really helped because in the end it's how you move your kite, how you do the down loops. The basics will help you in the tricks to come. And I really think us doing that, like going, going, going and then going into mega loop also really helped. Spending a month in Gran Canaria really helped. Working on my mental state really helped. It's just all somehow came together for the 15 minutes that I had now.
- [32:27]
B
Hey, three years ago, I was at your house in Algona. We were sitting there, the dog tried to bite me. You were saying, I'm going to come to big air. I'm going to get out of freestyle. I'm going to admit to this. I mean, we said. You said, I can do it. I know I can. I mean, crazy.
- [32:42]
G
Yeah.
- [32:42]
F
I mean, I had only been looping for two months then in 2020, what was it? 2022. And yeah, I mean, I have been watching this event, though, since I was, like, super young and dreamt about being part of it when I didn't even know how to loop. And now I'm standing here with a crown. So it's so. It's so surreal.
- [33:01]
A
Very good. Let's talk a bit about how far you've come in just one year, because last year you were really disappointed with how the competition went. Now we're here. What's the difference? You touched on a few things there. You said you've worked on your mental game a lot. Is there anything specific in that, that you've changed? That really helped today.
- [33:22]
F
I think also going back to the most basic thing in the world is to enjoy it. You've worked so hard, like, all year round. You're putting in work, you're getting frustrated, you're stressed, you're. And then like, I was having a call with. So I have a sponsor called Goat Sports Cleaning, and they're like, now is your time to enjoy it. Man, you put so many hours. So this 15 minutes is when you should be enjoying it the most because you can't work any harder now. You can't train anymore. You can just go out there and enjoy it. And I think that somehow just you have the most fun and you progress the most when you do enjoy things. And I think that was the biggest difference. And then the team around it. And then, yeah, last year I also had, like, back to back three to four injuries. I wasn't eating 10 days before the event because I had a stomach bug. I was. My legs were literally shaking when I was on the water. So I. I honestly just give myself a bit of grace. It was just not my day. And today was.
- [34:25]
B
I tell you what, is there going to be a big party at Makani tonight?
- [34:29]
F
I hope so. I hope they're celebrating with me because they're also part of this journey.
- [34:35]
B
Well, look, congratulations. We'll let you go. Unbelievable performance. Enjoy the night and look, good luck for next year. I know you're gonna even do it one step better.
- [34:42]
A
Cape Town's got a new queen and she got through the interview without bursting into tears. I think that's a.
- [34:49]
B
That's a first.
- [34:49]
A
I think it's a first.
- [34:50]
B
Maybe no tears.
- [34:51]
F
Every time you interview me, I cry.
- [34:54]
A
Yes. No. Very good. Well done, Natalie. And when will we see you next? Maybe Lords of Tram. Yeah.
- [35:03]
F
Lords of Tram.
- [35:04]
B
World Championship, baby.
- [35:05]
F
Yes. Bring it.
- [35:07]
A
All right. Thank you, Natalie. That was epic. All right, where are we up to?
- [35:13]
B
What do you think of that crown?
- [35:15]
A
That's quite.
- [35:16]
B
Looks like a hedgehog.
- [35:17]
A
Something.
- [35:17]
B
Yeah, I think they're ripping the.
- [35:19]
A
More of a hat.
- [35:20]
B
Oh, yeah. We're going to go mystic movement.
- [35:21]
A
All right, it's time. We're going to. We're doing Mystic Move right now, and I don't know who it's going to be, actually. Do you know who it's going to be?
- [35:29]
B
Let's bring in. Let's bring in Max. I'm going to give this microphone to Max and step out and he can take over here.
- [35:33]
A
Okay. Oh, wow.
- [35:35]
D
You're going to leave the stage for me.
- [35:37]
A
Just me and you now. Yeah.
- [35:39]
B
So shall we do it a little.
- [35:40]
D
Bit differently this year?
- [35:41]
A
Yeah. And we're excited to have you on here to do it as well.
- [35:44]
C
Exclusively.
- [35:45]
A
I reckon we might put you slightly further that way.
- [35:48]
B
Exclusively on Portrait this year.
- [35:50]
A
Yeah. The Mystic Move.
- [35:52]
C
Oh, wow.
- [35:52]
A
And it's got each one. Okay, guys, 15 onwards.
- [35:56]
D
Still 24.
- [35:57]
A
And we've just done a documentary as well that goes through each of these mystic moves and the controversies behind them, the gossip that surrounds each one. There's some real special moments in here, starting from Aaron in 2015, Zach last year. And now you're going to tell us who's got this year.
- [36:13]
D
And the winner of 2025, Mystic Move.
- [36:17]
B
King of the air is for the.
- [36:20]
D
First time, women's division, Francesca Miney.
- [36:24]
A
And she's just there and she's about to. She's not in a good way, but she's going to be happy. Where should we put you? Yeah, yeah, Go on. Go on.
- [36:37]
B
Congrats.
- [36:38]
G
Thanks.
- [36:39]
A
Thanks, guys. Mate, well done.
- [36:42]
E
Thank you so much.
- [36:43]
A
So this is for day one, the 9.37 board off two additional rotations.
- [36:50]
B
I'm so stoked about that.
- [36:51]
A
And it's been the talk of the.
- [36:53]
B
Event, I think from. From that the move been pulled.
- [36:56]
G
So.
- [36:57]
A
Yeah. And the biggest pop in the crowd from the whole. Whole event, too. Francesca, put us in the mindset as you're heading towards that kicker. What's going through your head? Are you actually thinking, let's do the biggest board off I'm ever going to do.
- [37:09]
C
Yes.
- [37:09]
E
I wanted to go for a massive board off, and then I put the.
- [37:12]
A
Board on and I started rotating.
- [37:13]
B
I was like, oh, great. I'm gonna, you know, fuck this up.
- [37:17]
A
But actually then I heavy looped, and then I was like, oh, my God, another rotation. I'm just gonna try stick this. I'm sticking it.
- [37:22]
E
And yeah, I did.
- [37:22]
A
And I was so stoked with it. I was just actually, yeah, so stoked. I never even landed that before. So, so happy.
- [37:28]
G
Let's party, I guess.
- [37:30]
A
Yeah, I need some crutches and I'll be there. But look at this list you're part of now. And the first female to be on there, too, of course. Where's it gonna go?
- [37:40]
C
Oh, I think it's gonna go on.
- [37:41]
E
The wall next to the crown from last year.
- [37:43]
A
Yeah. Wow.
- [37:44]
B
That's super sick, man. Look at all these legends. You're there now.
- [37:49]
C
Part of the history.
- [37:50]
A
Thank you so much, guys.
- [37:52]
B
I'm so happy with that.
- [37:53]
A
Bloody epic. Well done. Well done.
- [37:56]
B
First female.
- [37:56]
A
We didn't really do anything. Well, we let people vote, but you, you did the massive one.
- [38:01]
F
Yeah, thanks, guys.
- [38:03]
E
I'm. I'm very happy with that.
- [38:05]
A
And unfortunately, I couldn't land.
- [38:06]
C
Did we already say it comes with three grand?
- [38:09]
A
We didn't mention that. Well, that's made my day.
- [38:12]
C
Comes with three grand.
- [38:14]
A
Thank you so much.
- [38:15]
D
Minor detail.
- [38:18]
A
Prize money for this event.
- [38:22]
E
Yeah.
- [38:22]
A
Thank you so much. Epic. Well done. Well done. Thank you, Adrian. And bring you back in. Should we.
- [38:28]
B
Well, that was awesome prize from Mr. K. I mean, it's fantastic. Been a great support of riders over the years, so it's awesome to see. Let's bring in third place getter, our good friend Cohen Van Dijk.
- [38:39]
A
Put.
- [38:39]
B
Put that bling on, Cohen. Put the bling on. All right, I'll wear the bling.
- [38:43]
D
Now he's standing here again.
- [38:45]
B
Dude, this is like a repeat.
- [38:46]
A
Yeah, yeah.
- [38:47]
D
It's like a loop.
- [38:47]
B
Hey, a live loop.
- [38:49]
D
Yeah. Third place again.
- [38:52]
A
Are you happy with this? We were discussing it earlier.
- [38:54]
D
Obviously, I'm happy, but I want to win, you know, Now I keep on being third, and now. Now it starts to play. Pissed me off, so. But I'm beyond stoked to make it this far. This is the podium you want to be on, so, yeah, I'm super happy. But now it's starting to irritate me already. I like it starting to boil now, you know, like, I want to win. I can win if I'm this close all the time. I Can do it.
- [39:21]
B
I mean, thinking back over these last three days, which hasn't been easy on the riders, a lot of time sitting around. Are you already thinking about what you can do next to improve your riding?
- [39:29]
D
I have a lot of thoughts, yeah. I've had sleepless nights. There's been one night in between each day that we've competed, and I can tell you that those nights were long. For real. And my roommates keep telling me, hey, how did you sleep?
- [39:45]
B
Why do you keep asking that question? I slept fucked.
- [39:48]
D
But ideas are being brewed those nights, so it's good.
- [39:56]
B
I love those big shark attacks on the inside. I think that first one, you must have landed in 2 inch of the water.
- [40:00]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [40:00]
D
Jason came up to me. He's like, why did.
- [40:02]
B
Why did you do that?
- [40:03]
D
I'm like, risk factor. Extremity. But also just. I saw the takeoff and I felt the gust and then wanted to go for it. It's one of my favorite tricks. Too bad I have to do it into the inside, because on the kicker, you go a lot bigger. But now I've got something to work on.
- [40:23]
A
Tell us about the Jesse Richmond. Left foot forward off the kicker, dangle pass. When was the last time you've done a dangle pass that big?
- [40:30]
D
I don't want to say it's a Jesse Richmond because Jesse Richmond does it with a lot of rotations. It's a lot sicker. But the thing is that I haven't done that trick in two years. So, like, you know, going for it like that first try in a competition, just. It's mental, you know, it's like, I need to go for it. I need something to differentiate myself against those two. But it's not a Jesse Richmond. It's an insane trick. But, yeah, I'm gonna train the Jesse Richmond one. I'll bring it back. I promise you that.
- [41:01]
B
Hey, to make that final, you had to go through a huge semi final against Zach. I mean, a person that you've mentored, a person that you tried to get onto North, a person that you met when he was super young. I posted that photo the other day. It's about two years ago. It's kind of cool.
- [41:15]
D
How cool is that picture?
- [41:16]
B
Yeah, crazy. I. I mean, how much did that semi final take out of your performance when it came to the final?
- [41:20]
D
Honestly, I was a lot more nervous for this one than I was for the one against Jeremy, because obviously this kid has a lot of fire and he has some good tricks. And like you saw on the last trick, he Threw that board again. He did land it, and his score was actually half a point higher than me. Luckily, I got that variety, and I'm going for that variety. It's just playing by the rules. But, man, it was scary, you know, seeing him land that trick on the end. Your heart drops, and then you're sitting there on the beach with your head on your helmet, with your hands on your helmet. Am I gonna win? Am I gonna win? And then they say, yes, no, yes, no. Man, it's so frustrating, but I got it. I'm beyond stoked for him. I'm beyond stoked for myself. I know he has a lot of years. I know he has a lot of potential, so he can take it next year. And then I'm first next year.
- [42:12]
B
I mean, you had a very, very tough run in this competition, right? One of the. Probably the hardest run of all.
- [42:17]
D
All of them were very hard. You know, Jeremy was hard, Zach was hard, but. But I kept on fighting, and I just believe in myself, and I did it third, though, not first.
- [42:30]
A
Cohen, talk to us about that new kite. It's not even out yet. Do you think it was a big contributor in getting you as far as you got in this king of the year?
- [42:38]
D
I mean. I mean, I think this guide made me be where I am. I think this guide made me be where I was this whole year. You know, it just creates possibilities of being on these podiums and pushing out bigger tricks and going higher, and it just does a really good job. Like, I'm really happy and very stoked with north, them putting on such a good kite. It's not on the market, but it will be on the market, hopefully. And it's just so good. So good.
- [43:10]
A
Sorry. One more on the kite. How does it feel? Different to previous orbits?
- [43:15]
D
Completely different.
- [43:16]
A
Really?
- [43:16]
D
Yeah, completely. But it still has that orbit feeling.
- [43:19]
A
Still light bar pressure, but light bar pressure.
- [43:22]
D
Better. Handling just jumps higher. Everything is just increased.
- [43:25]
A
Sits further forward.
- [43:27]
D
Say it again.
- [43:27]
A
Sits further forward.
- [43:28]
D
It flies, man. It wants to go. It wants to go. It has potential. When you jump, you feel like that thing wants to go. And I'm just waiting for that one day in makassar where it's 50 knots and I could take my seven and break Lorenzo's record. You know, I'm just. It's tomorrow, actually, so, you know, everybody's like, oh, after party, after party. I'm gonna afterparty. I'm not gonna drink. I'm gonna go enkite tomorrow.
- [43:52]
A
Carb load. Pasta party.
- [43:55]
D
Pasta party.
- [43:56]
A
Let's go.
- [43:56]
B
Hey, I want to ask you one more question about the event. You know, in your first time here, you went to the semi final through the Porsche golden ticket. Then you had a couple of lean years, couple of devastating things. How much pressure is in this event and how hard is it to handle it to get to that final again?
- [44:09]
D
I don't think the event creates pressure. I think I put pressure on myself because I want to win. It doesn't matter what event it is. Every event kind of is the same. This is the biggest one. But I feel like what I've done the past two years is put too much pressure on myself. And right now, I was just in the flow. I had an amazing team, Thibaut and Lorion, with me the whole time, just comforting me. You know, I'm with my team, I'm with my sponsors, and they help me a lot to relax and have a great time. And I think together we're gonna build and go to that top, mate.
- [44:45]
B
Go and have a great time, brother. Hey, you can take this back.
- [44:48]
D
I need my prize back.
- [44:49]
A
Yeah. Good luck on Makasar tomorrow.
- [44:51]
D
Thank you.
- [44:52]
A
All right. Pretty epic.
- [44:55]
B
I mean, he kind of went about his business all day.
- [44:57]
A
Right, we're gonna bring in Leo.
- [44:59]
B
Let's bring Leo.
- [45:00]
A
Yeah, mate. A big King of the Air debut. Very, very big. Leo, are you happy with the final? Did you ride how you couldn't. You can ride.
- [45:10]
C
Yeah, I'm quite happy. You know, I could have done something, like, some more tricks that I had, like, crazy one, but I was, like, looking more for the variety, and. Yeah, did one at the end, but crash it, but, yeah, you know, super happy for my brother. Of course, like, when you get there, you. You want the win, you know, but I couldn't get it this time. And, yeah, I think all the hard work, you know, we did it with my father also and my coach. Like. Like, better than this. It couldn't be better.
- [45:37]
A
Epic.
- [45:38]
B
You mentioned the variety. Do you think that takes away from the natural flow of competition? You mentioned there were some tricks you didn't. You couldn't do because of that. Would you prefer to be able to ride freely and just do whatever you want and let the judges judge you on that?
- [45:49]
A
Or.
- [45:49]
B
Or do you think this variety is a good thing?
- [45:51]
C
I think it's a really good thing, this variety, you know, because it showed the most complete rider out there. You know, not everyone was able to do it because you need to be really complete, you know, to do, like, everything. So I think they did, like, a really good job.
- [46:06]
A
How do you think it rewards certain riders? Like, I actually, I remember you saying when I bumped into you in the street a couple nights ago, now, you said that you need to be able to contra and kite loop both ways. Was that the case today as well for you? Do you think the riders that can go both ways, both hands really shone.
- [46:23]
C
Yeah, yeah, for sure. So, like, if you can get, like everything on both ways, then you have advantage. You know, I start my. My best hand is the. The right one, you know, I started with that. So I. I should do like, kite loop to the right, but I learned to the left because I know I was going higher and everything. So now, like, I do everything to the left.
- [46:43]
A
Perfect.
- [46:44]
B
What was your father telling you on the radio?
- [46:46]
A
This is what we want to know. I mean, that must have been also talking to Lorenzo in the same channel with different channels.
- [46:52]
C
So actually in the final was not working.
- [46:55]
B
Yeah, but, like, maybe he turned yours off. Did he turn yours off?
- [47:01]
C
Huh?
- [47:02]
B
Did he turn yours off?
- [47:03]
C
No. No, I don't think. And so I think, like, he was, like, telling us, like, the score. What? Like the score and, like, if it was like a variety score or not. So, like, to do it again or to not. Because maybe sometimes the watch is not working. So, like, if you go to the beach and then, like, they need to tell you, you lose time, you know?
- [47:22]
B
So was he calling you, letting you know when kickers were coming in? Because I saw you stop one time, turn around and head back out and hit a kicker straight away. Was he letting you know when there was waves on the horizon?
- [47:31]
C
Nah, he was looking to the waves. He was just like, telling the score and. Yeah, yeah, you need, like, to. For the kickers, like, if you are higher, it's better, you know? But, yeah, he was not telling me that.
- [47:46]
A
Leonardo, what's the difference between you and Lorenzo? What do you need to be better at? What can you do differently to beat him?
- [47:54]
C
So, yeah, I think, like, I'm a bit, like, more technical, you know, than him. Like, more complete. A bit like, I, like, do more, like, crazy stuff, but it's like more power and more extreme, you know, So I think I should get a bit more of that.
- [48:10]
A
How can you do that?
- [48:12]
C
Well, training hard.
- [48:14]
A
Good answer.
- [48:16]
B
I think that's going to come as you get stronger. You're only 16. You're the youngest rider in the fleet, one of the youngest guys ever to do. I think Jamie Overbeaker is a similar age when he did it. Baby shark. Also only 16. So, mate, I think that's going to come as you fill out and turn into a man. When we met your brother, he was a lot smaller than you. I think him and Andre are about this tour. So, yeah, I think that strength and that power is going to come. Yeah.
- [48:35]
C
Yeah, for sure, man.
- [48:37]
A
What's the plan tonight? Do you send the trap this time?
- [48:41]
C
I couldn't be the trap killer, man, but I will be one day. Yeah. We go celebrate.
- [48:48]
A
You've earned it.
- [48:48]
B
Enjoy, brother.
- [48:49]
A
Congratulations. Yeah. Amazing, amazing debut. We'll see you at the next event. He's gonna be a problem. He's gonna be a very.
- [48:58]
B
I mean, we've been calling it. He's already better on strapless. He's already better on the foil. I mean, he's a. He said I'm a little bit. He said there I'm a more. What's the word he used?
- [49:06]
A
Complete.
- [49:07]
B
More complete rider. And we've actually heard Renato talking about that as well. So, yeah, it's gonna be interesting to see how he. He improves as he gets a bit stronger and. And finds that board of that sort of man strength and gets that sort of grizzly strength in him. You're. You're sliding back there.
- [49:20]
A
I don't know if you're doing that, mostly because otherwise there's a shadow on your face.
- [49:23]
B
Thank you, sir. Thank you. I'm blind. Oh, I hear it. Let's bring in the king.
- [49:26]
A
Here we go. Look at that thing. Yes, sir. Very good. Well done, Lorenzo. Amazing performance today. Amazing performance throughout the whole of King of the Air. How was the final? Was it the final that you wanted? Did you leave it all out there? Were there still tricks in the bag?
- [49:43]
C
Well, honestly, I went full sail in the final. I did the maximum I could because I know Leo was there right behind me. There was a moment, I also saw the watch, and I know I had second, so I had to go full sand for it. And, you know, I think there were, like two or three minutes left, and I probably was second. And then I had, like, a good kicker, good win, and it was like, okay, now is the time to go for the world first full cup tornado, the one that actually got 8.40. So I just went up straight in Tornado, and, yeah, that was my highest score. And then in the last second, like, big dangle pass to get the seven categories, and, yeah, it paid out, man.
- [50:19]
A
You're the only rider to get all seven available points with the unique trickster. You got it twice. How come you can do that and no one else can? What about. What is it in your Training that you're doing that is different.
- [50:34]
C
I mean, you know, I've been training a lot with my father on this strategy and also with my brother, you know, especially the last few days when we know what we have to do. And you know, it was really easy because to the right it was hard to get the height. So you know, I needed to go for a dangle pass at the end because I only had six. So I actually tried to go hanuk like to the left because I actually kind of can do it better. But then there was, I think Leo or Koan were like in front. So I like to improvise. Went to the right, got a front kung fu pass and landed. I think that scored like 6.8. But yeah, like this, I get the seventh score. But you know, it was a lot of hard thinking with my father to get this strategy right. You know.
- [51:15]
B
Hey, let's talk about some of these accomplishments. Two time king of the air. Exactly on this day, second person to do the trilogy. Four consecutive king of the finals. Pretty amazing year. I mean, unbelievable. World Championship Mega Loop. I mean, it's an awesome year, dude. I mean there's only other one other person done that. And you've showed that you deserve to be in that name in that group as well.
- [51:36]
C
I'm super happy about my performer only crashing one trick in the world competition. And in the final I just went full saint modin.
- [51:44]
B
You know, I got some bad news. Your worst position is the second place.
- [51:48]
C
Yeah, it could be four first, but I also take these. You know, it's not bad.
- [51:55]
A
Very good. Have you spoken to Jeremy and Andrea yet?
- [52:01]
C
Not after a final. I didn't saw them. Yeah, there were so many people taking pictures and interview and stuff. But before they hit, I saw Jeremy and he was like, yeah mate, you got this one. Go get it. So yeah, I also want to say big thanks to Jeremy and yeah, they will for sure be back next year.
- [52:18]
B
You know, you speak a lot about Renato, but he is a big part of this. He is a big strategic guy. And listen, nobody wants his sons to do better than Renato. I mean he sent me many messages hounding me, pushing, putting pressure on me. But I mean the work is there, right? I mean this is, this is. Yeah, this is all the work.
- [52:33]
C
Yeah, for sure. I mean without Renato, nothing of this would be possible. And you know, I think everyone today saw it. Leo at is just 16 years old. Was really close to also get the victory was super hard. And yeah, I mean that's just because of our dad, the hard work he put for us, all the training we do in the water outside, all the strategy, you know, without him, it wouldn't be possible to be here. Me and my brother, you know, so just the best coach in the world.
- [53:01]
B
Let's put two brothers in the final. That's never been done either. I don't think that's probably going to happen for. Probably ever.
- [53:08]
C
Yeah, I don't think it's going to happen.
- [53:09]
A
I mean, if you don't join, maybe.
- [53:13]
C
Maybe. Maybe.
- [53:13]
B
Yeah, maybe not.
- [53:15]
C
It's going to happen again. Probably again. Me and Leo, maybe.
- [53:19]
A
Let's see.
- [53:19]
C
Let's hope for it. And we will train hard for this, man.
- [53:22]
A
I've got a question. When Leo put on the black bip for the final, did it cross your mind what the black bib means?
- [53:31]
C
The black. Black Lycra?
- [53:33]
A
Yeah.
- [53:34]
C
No.
- [53:35]
A
The winner always wears black.
- [53:37]
C
Well, this year it changed.
- [53:40]
B
This year it's purple, baby.
- [53:41]
C
I didn't even thought about it, you know, I just went. You know, I had my strategy, get seven different trick down and then go for some big ones, depending on the kicker, the gas. And yeah, it paid off. But honestly, like, I think it was one of the more intense final I ever had in my life, you know, was like, without breathing, just go for it. Just getting the right tricks, you know, because I know you go down a little bit from 100% for one minute and you can be behind, you know, it's all in now.
- [54:11]
A
We didn't actually go to the podium because we were setting up for the people, so we missed it all. But were all the Harlem people wearing those special glasses with the lights?
- [54:22]
C
I think so. Like, and I'm not sure. In the beach, I was just, like, way too focused. But I mean, yeah, big thanks for all the support of the guys. You know, they were there on the beach cheering for me every trick and, you know, such a great community of.
- [54:34]
B
Guys, you know, I mean, you've got an amazing work ethic. You're riding strapless, you're doing foils. Are you going to keep this motivation and this pace up until next year? I mean, is that the plan for 2026, to. To just do all the competitions, stay on the water as much as possible?
- [54:46]
C
Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's actually working really good for me. At the end, the more time you stay on the water, doing, the more different thing is better, for sure. My main focus is bigger. So next year I will try to get the trilogy done again. But, yeah, I will just, at the end, keep Enjoying the sea, you know, this is what I love. This is my passion. So for sure.
- [55:05]
B
Happy belated birthday, by the way.
- [55:07]
C
Yeah, I mean, something funny, guys. In 2022, when I won the King of the Air, it was on the 26th of November. So I got a birthday present. Today is again the 26th of November, so maybe it's another birthday present, you know.
- [55:22]
A
That's very nice. Must be nice.
- [55:25]
B
Go and enjoy, brother. I mean, have an awesome night. We'll see you out there tonight.
- [55:27]
A
Well done.
- [55:28]
C
Thank you guys.
- [55:29]
A
Big party for you.
- [55:30]
B
Renato there for filming. Renato on this camera. All done for another year.
- [55:38]
A
A three day King of the Air. It's only happened once before. We believe in 2018. It was kind of a, kind of a slog really and the tension and everything just building and building and building until the last day. We got a hell of a show. Two really worthy winners.
- [55:52]
B
Absolutely.
- [55:53]
A
Lorenzo was never gonna lose this one, I don't think. But Natalie has had fierce competition all around her and really shone in the end. We saw new gear, we saw massive upsets. Massive upsets on day two. Maybe the biggest upsets in King of the Air history.
- [56:10]
B
I think so, yeah. The rise of American kiteboarding, you know, with Parker and Zach, I mean, unbelievable performances and yeah, you know, those are names we're going to hear a lot more of. You know, these are young kids coming through and I think it's just the nature of the sport. It's getting younger and younger and I love it.
- [56:25]
A
What happens between now and the next event?
- [56:29]
B
Well, I think the next event is going to be Lords of Tram. I mean, that's our special event as well. Not a very, very high wind event. King of the Air is becoming a sort of a light, a light wind event now. But you know that they're going to start training for that. It's a flat water event. It's going to suit guys who like to go left and right. You know, we've seen how ambidextrous the riders have come over the years, but that one, the guys tend to stick to their strong side because of it. But yeah, so we've got three or four months per thing that event. I think a lot of the guys enjoy having a bit of time off now because it's been a long, long season and they're here in Cape Town. They're enjoying Macassar tomorrow. There's a lot of talk about going for the A woo world record. And yeah, I think they'll be enjoying having a bit of January, February time And then start preparing for another world championship.
- [57:09]
A
Indeed. But that won't mean a dry spell on Portrait, will it? Because we've got a blank kite test with Sam Light coming up. It's a 12 meter test. The most prolific, the most high speed, highest sold. I'm losing the ability to speak. It's the most sold.
- [57:27]
B
It does mean we don't have to do any more live streams in the morning, Colin, because I think that we're, we've sort of pushed that one a little bit.
- [57:32]
A
Yeah, I'm, I'm done with those, to be honest.
- [57:35]
B
Till next time.
- [57:36]
A
12 meter blank height test coming out. There's. It's going to be in time for Christmas. How to Get Paid. The latest episode, which kind of got swallowed up by all of the King of the Air madness is streaming now and we're going to play an advert for that now. It's all been tremendously positive, but let's face it, there were some missteps, there were some mistakes at this King of the Air, the biggest one being the mission of Jamie Overbeek, who you could easily see being in that final and might have been one of the only people that could have changed the outcome of this event. And now we'll never know. I actually haven't managed to speak to Jamie yet, but you have. How is it? What's he thinking? How's he feeling?
- [58:16]
B
I spoke to him very, very quickly. He didn't say much. He just said, I'm going to be back next year. He's not, he's not stopping training, by the way. He's not even watching the competition. He's riding about a couple hundred meters up the box, so. And that's just the way Jamie is always putting time on the water. And he'll be back. You know, you mentioned this hasn't been the smoothest thing. We did have some judging controversy at times, I think, let's be honest. But that's always sort of around these events. It's difficult, you know, it's a subjective sport. It's almost impossible for it not to be. But yeah, I mean, video missions, so raider selections and judging, I guess that kind of keeps the story going and that's what makes this event what it is, you know, I mean, that's all part of an event. I mean, that probably goes around every sporting event.
- [58:55]
A
Also the Charles controversy around him being underscored, potentially robbed. You're right. Every kite event we go to, someone thinks they've been robbed. But I think specifically with Charles, it's just so Difficult because he's so new. But you've seen, like, the outpouring of support for him now online. It's quite incredible, actually. People seriously respect and think he's the absolute tit.
- [59:16]
B
Oh, 100%. And you know what, man? The more time I've spent with Charles, his dedication really comes out. His passion. He wants it. You know, I said, bro, is this going to knock you back? And he's like, absolutely not. I want. I want more. I want to be fired up. I want to do this. So, yeah, Charles ain't going anywhere, guys. He's going to be at all these events. I don't know if he can ride the GK events because the GK have their own hydrofoil, Big air, and they probably look down on that. But he's going to be at Red Bull events. He's going to be at full power. Tarifa. Charles isn't going anywhere. He's going to keep doing this until he proves that hydro falls is the future. Like all sailing events have gone that way. Maybe he's ahead of his time, maybe he's going to be doing something different, but he's not going to be going anywhere.
- [59:52]
A
We're going to look back and be like, that was a misunderstood genius.
- [59:56]
B
Yeah.
- [59:57]
A
Okay, we're going to talk to a judge, which is always interesting. Here he comes. Hello, Moraine. Hello. Was that a hard day or. Quite a straightforward one, actually.
- [60:08]
G
What's the most straightforward day of the three?
- [60:13]
A
Reflections on Charles Brudel. That's what people want to hear from the judges. Yeah.
- [60:18]
G
It was the closest heat, I think, of the event and I do think. I look back at all the scores, all the individual scores and the results are the results. But I also see it as a learning for the judge team to reflect on how this plays a role in the discipline. It is also a very big challenge to compare the two. Some judges think, okay, because it's harder, he's on the foil, he should get more. And some judges think, yeah, his choice has got to go on the foil, so he's making it hard for himself. Yeah, it's a difficult decision.
- [60:53]
B
I mean, you also face Luca Trudy taking a foil kite out, you know, mixing it up. I mean, not only did you have one lot of pressure, two lots of pressure. Obviously pretty controversial with heel. What was the judges judges thoughts and impressions about someone doing the foil kite out there?
- [61:07]
G
I think it was a really good strategic move, for sure. The question is more in what wind conditions do we want to run big air competitions. And we kept going. And so, because the fact we kept going, the foil kite was a very, very good strategic move. And Luca absolutely deserve to win. But also we need to see is running in those winds something we want for the future. It pushes a bit more airstyle, which is cool. The audience loves it. The people watching on the beach are screaming. So it is very cool. But it's also something to reflect on for next year.
- [61:41]
B
Is that difficult? Because I feel the judges want one thing, but Red Bull wants another thing. Do we need to bring those two parties closer together?
- [61:48]
G
Yeah. And also definitely the riders. So I always go to the riders debrief and hopefully I will see everyone there as well. And this is some collective that you have to do within the organization, the judge team and the riders to collectively decide what's the future and how we're going forward.
- [62:04]
A
Let's just tackle the Jamie question just head on. It really seems like he was overlooked, and maybe that's a product of video entries. Is there any talk about the selection process for video or actually the qualification process in general being more refined?
- [62:22]
G
Yeah, I've already had quite some conversations about it, even before this year's edition, that videos don't truly reflect someone's skill. It's just really hard to put something in video unless you set really clear boundaries. Has to be filmed from this angle, has to be like that. But then it also makes it super hard for people that maybe don't have the people to film them for that. So I really think that something like the qualifier events can play a very big role in not only that the winner would qualify themselves, but the point system that is clear and understandable for everyone. And then there should be a qualifier all over the world so that it's accessible for everyone.
- [62:57]
B
Last question for me. We saw a great freshen up from the Megaloop this year, and we saw that in the riding in the wave run. Are we seeing this with Red Bull King of the Year? Are we getting to that time where we've done this for 13 events? Now is it time to give this a little bit of a polish and clean everything up a bit?
- [63:14]
G
I think it's really nice to see the big difference between Megaloop and Khot. Honestly, it gives the riders a chance to prove themselves in both. If you can win both. Now, you're truly very broad rider because you have power and extremity, but you also have technicality, because the technicality really comes into play if we run events that are a little bit lighter and challenging. So I think it's really nice to see the difference.
- [63:37]
A
Why wasn't Jamie Overbeek here?
- [63:42]
G
If it was up to me, it would be, but there are more people than me in the tower.
- [63:46]
A
So it comes down to a judging, a judging panel's accumulative decision that other riders video entries were stronger. Yeah, yeah, I thought so. But it needs to be said. So that's good. All cleared up. Where are we seeing you next? Lords of Tram?
- [64:04]
G
I don't know.
- [64:05]
A
And, oh, last question. This is a good one, actually. I thought of a good question finally. 40 minutes in. What's the qualifier schedule looking like for next year? Is there any news or anything on that yet?
- [64:15]
G
No, I'm in the dark. I have a holiday now.
- [64:19]
A
A well earned one, too.
- [64:20]
B
Yeah, you enjoy it, brother.
- [64:21]
A
Very good. All right, Maureen, thanks very much for coming on. We appreciate that. Not an easy job, by the way, coming on here as a judge and taking gnarly questions. So respect, respect for that. Okay, I think we're done, please. Do you think we're done?
- [64:33]
B
Absolutely. Let's wrap this up.
- [64:36]
A
Thank you for tuning in, but really sort of thank you to us for doing it, really. Come on. I mean, if we hadn't done it, you wouldn't be watching it, would you? So we're going to wrap this up. That was King of the Air 2025. You've heard from the winners. You know the results. Go and watch how to get paid. Cheers.