Kitesurf365 | The Megapod: Lords Of Tram Preview Show
Hosts: Adrian Kerr (A), Colin Colin Carroll (B)
Date: March 26, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode is a comprehensive and lively preview of the upcoming Lords of Tram kiteboarding event, set to kick off the 2026 season. Adrian and Colin cover who’s hot, who’s not, conditions at the unique French venue, in-depth rider updates, and some behind-the-scenes gossip. There’s also lots of chat about the newly updated Fantasy Kiteboarding league and its voracious marketplace. With input from riders and crew on the ground, witty banter, and serious insights, this episode is your essential guide to the Lords of Tram.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Fantasy Kiteboarding League 2026 Overhaul
- Marketplace launched: Now buying, selling, and trading riders is possible. Colin brags about getting stonking deals while Adrian’s been fleeced with “lemons.” (00:00)
- Player engagement: Already 2,008 packs claimed, 350+ items on the marketplace, and over 13,000 Breeze spent. (36:39)
- Strategy tips: Doubling down on matching your riders with their brands is crucial. The days of straight Lorenzo + Harlem and instant wins are over. (39:27)
Lords of Tram – Event Context & Conditions
- High stakes & unique cold: First major event of the year, no warm-ups—athletes go straight into finals-level pressure. Coldest event of the calendar, often with extreme wind and high risk. (01:32)
- “There’s no sort of warm ups to this event, so it’s basically like going straight into a big final for these guys.” (B, 00:59)
- Tramontana winds: Known for both wild variability and raw power. In recent years, it’s produced the most dangerous conditions in kiteboarding competitions. (02:24)
- Weather forecast: Looks solid for this year, promising classic Lords of Tram carnage.
On-the-Ground Rider Updates
Reporting Live: Keena from Barcarès (02:24–08:15)
- Who’s training: Major influx of top riders including Max, Martin, Josh, Natalie, and a majority of the fleet arriving steadily. (03:10)
- Form check on rookies: Maxwell Dahl, Martin Kobriski, and Finn Flugel are standing out for technical riding, but potentially lack power due to lighter weight/less experience. (03:49)
- “Technically wise, they are just on a different level. It was really impressive to watch.” (C, 03:53)
- Foil kites? Not likely this year, conditions and judging trends point to conventional inflatables. (05:21)
- Event risk management: Doubling vs singles is in flux; most riders are prepping singles but doubles remain a wildcard, especially if 60-knot winds return. (06:01)
- Rider absences & gossip: Mysterious silence from Andrea Printrippi; speculation he may or may not show. (06:56)
- Women’s field notes: Natalie (reigning champ) looking strong but cold; Mika is likely to compete and practicing more left-foot forward variety. (07:41)
Andrea Printrippi & the King Curse (08:17–09:52)
- Historically, those who win King of the Air rarely repeat major event wins the next year (“King curse”), but Andrea and Lorenzo are rare exceptions with consistent returns. (08:44)
- Lorenzo’s confidence and professionalism, powered by strong support systems from family, manager, and brand, make him the one to watch. (09:52)
- “You have to admire the Casati approach... I dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s. I leave no stone unturned.” (B, 09:52)
Rider and Insider Interviews
[10:51] Lorenzo Casati (voice note)
- Outlook: Arrived in France, highly motivated, trained well, confident of an “epic” comp:
- “I can’t wait to show [new tricks] in the comp. I’m gonna go full send and time to put a big show on.” (E, 11:00)
- Off-water news: Announcing the opening of his own kite shop in Tarifa, blending community hangout with watch parties for the comp. (11:23)
[15:01] Hugo Wigglesworth
- Hungry for a big Twin Tip podium after six months out; intends to build on his unique distinction as one of the few to have beaten Lorenzo in a heat. (15:01)
[16:51] Women’s Fleet Update
- Pippa Van Ursul (out—hip injury), Zoe Svenia Peters (out), scrambling to fill reserves. Micah Pilkington called up (but not attending). (15:27)
- Micah (likely women’s favorite) is experimenting with more technical tricks, possibly shifting big air women's riding towards greater technicality. (16:51)
[22:11] Baby Shark (Yosui San Ferreira)
- Comeback mindset: Back from hiatus, new team and mental coach, motivated and focused. Admits recent struggles but feels reignited:
- “I wasn’t feeling great, but had to get back in focus, couldn’t stop. Now I’m back on track, with new gear and, yeah, just trying to do my best.” (F, 22:12)
[24:53] Finn Flugel
- First comp since freestyle world title: Ready, excited, and aiming for deep runs, but recognizing massive talent pool. Looking to find “flow state” from his last title run:
- “If I get into a flow stage again, like I did in the Freestyle World cup … I can go really far in the comp as well.” (D, 25:02)
[27:46] Zach Adams
- Aims to lock in consistency; wants to carry momentum from strong King of the Air performances to every event this season. (G, 27:46)
[33:09] The Dutch "Three Eyes": Stino, Kimo, Timo
- Dutch contingent predicted to shine, especially Timo with his monstrous, height-defying maneuvers. Several dealing with injuries or team switches. (33:09)
- Timo: Just returning from injury, testing new gear, eager to compete. (D, 33:18)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “You don’t know [you’re concussed]. That’s the crazy thing … it’s a very, very scary situation... It’s just blackness. It’s like waking up from a dream that you never knew were asleep and being completely confused.” (B on concussions, 31:07)
- “People are tough. Athletes are hard. Josh is a tough guy. He’s not going to give up... that’s the heart of an athlete, and that’s why the brain is like, well, if you don’t want to stop, I’ll make you stop.” (B, 32:34)
- “We have truly outdone ourselves this time [with Fantasy Kiteboarding 2026 update].” (A, 40:29)
Fantasy League Deep Dive
- Adrian and Colin compare fantasy squads, lamenting their marketplace losses and trading strategies. (35:31–39:50)
- Emphasis on the new breed of game-play: brand loyalty, market rarity, and bonus multipliers for certain rider-brand combos.
- Colin’s star squad: Jamie Overbeek, Hugo Wigglesworth, Finn Flugel, Lana Herman—built through luck rather than spend. (36:39)
- Market is wild: Mika bought for just 20 Breeze, while rare cards (Andrea, Lorenzo) go for several hundred. (38:53)
- “It’s a big step up and taken away the cheap factor of just having Lorenzo and Harlem and winning everything.” (B, 39:27)
Insider Gossip & Under-the-Radar Picks
- Return and rise of Baby Shark: Mental coaching and a new sponsor spark hopes of his return to elite status.
- Breakout women: Lana Herman called a “rock star,” poised for her signature event in crazy wind (18:15–18:48).
- Francesca Maney: Concerns for her health after two event head injuries; calls for better safety protocols. (19:01)
Timestamps: Important Segments
| Segment | Content Summary | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Fantasy League Overhaul | Marketplace, trading, strategies | 00:00–01:20 | | Lords of Tram Context | Event overview, cold conditions, significance | 00:55–02:24 | | Keena on the ground | Live report: rider arrivals, training, conditions | 02:24–08:15 | | “King curse” narrative | Past champions’ curse, Andrea/Lorenzo analysis | 08:44–09:52 | | Lorenzo Casati speaks | Voice note—motivation, new shop, performance outlook | 10:51–12:06 | | Women’s fleet update | Withdrawals, contender analysis, technical directions | 15:27–16:51 | | Baby Shark’s comeback | Motivation, fresh team, mental game | 22:11–23:15 | | Finn Flugel’s ambitions | Post-title mindset, pressure, and goals | 24:53–26:21 | | Zach Adams’ consistency quest | Setting semi-final consistency goals | 27:46–28:54 | | Dutch “Three Eyes” preview | Timo, Kimo, Stino—Dutch dark horses | 33:09–34:46 | | Fantasy squads & strategy | Hosts compare squads, market news, and trading madness | 35:31–39:48 |
Engaging, Memorable Moments
- Rapid-fire banter: The hosts’ self-aware “rubbish” chat about their fantasy teams keeps things light and funny, especially as they lament being fleeced on the new marketplace.
- Fan engagement: Mention of Instagram and “inside the tent” community for live updates and highlights from the event. (41:33)
- Direct rider contributions: Short, up-to-date voice memos from competition favorites add excitement and immediacy.
Final Takeaways
- Lords of Tram is shaping up as a high-drama, high-risk, high-reward season opener with most major players present and a few headline absences or injuries in both the men’s and women’s fleets.
- Major storylines include: The Casati dynasty, the return of Baby Shark, the rise of Finn Flugel, the mental and physical risks for riders like Francesca and Josh, heated competition in the Dutch camp, and the unique tension brought by the event’s wild conditions.
- The new Fantasy Kiteboarding League is a massive hit: The update is driving unprecedented engagement and trash talk, with strategy and value suddenly more complex and rewarding.
- Expect the next episode (and Instagram feed) to come live from France, with daily video coverage and updates.