Red Bull King Of The Air 2024 – Day 1 recap
From Tibo Slock at Kite Beach, Cape Town, SA
Patience was the word on everyone's lips for the first two days of the Red Bull King Of The Air 2024. Lighter conditions (around 18-22 knots) resulted in the riders spending 14 hours on standby, waiting for a minimum of 25 knots of wind. There were barely any kickers (the riders' waves to jump off), and the forecast wasn't promising. But Red Bull called everyone early to the beach so the event could get underway if the forecast surprised.
LET’S GO!
The first heat of Round One kicked off at 10 a.m. between Francesca Maini (UK), Angely Bouillot (FRA), and Jasmine Cho (USA). This heat was abandoned after only 7 minutes because the wind was too light. Conditions improved around 5 p.m., and the heat was re-run from the beginning. By then, everybody was amped, especially Fran, whose energy levels are always on fire. Her caddy Mattia (her brother) and parents cheered her on after every trick and every tack, ensuring she had the spirit to win the heat. The judges rated Fran's style of going as high as possible with the kite as low as possible. She scored the highest heat score of the day, becoming the first woman to reach the Women's Division final of the Red Bull King of the Air.
"I'm through to the finals! Really stoked about that! The kickers are really hard so I was just trying to find anything to jump off. I just gave it my all and I'm so stoked to be in the final. Can't wait, let's go!" - Fran
HEAT W1 - ROUND ONE RESULTS.
Francesca: 30.18
Angely: 27.14
Jasmine: 16.47
"I'm through to the finals! Really stoked about that! The kickers are really hard so I was just trying to find anything to jump off. I just gave it my all and I'm so stoked to be in the final. Can't wait, let's go!"
- Francesca Maini
FUELLING FIRE
As Fran came off the water victorious, fellow North rider Nathalie Lambrecht (SWE) went straight into Heat Two against the current Big Air World Champion Zara Hoogengrad (NED) and Pippa Van Iersel (NED). Nathalie started out strong, putting three scores on the board, but the other girls were taking more risks and scoring higher. Towards the end of the heat, Nathalie pushed her limits but was unlucky with the landings on her big tricks. Despite missing out on a chance to go to the next round, the 26-year-old was optimistic, saying this was only fuel for the burning fire inside her. It wasn't her day, but that time would come!
HEAT W2 - ROUND ONE RESULTS.
Pippa: 23.85
Zara: 23.35
Nat: 19.52
BIG C's REVENGE
The Open Round One heats were well underway when Cohan van Dijk, eager for revenge after an early knockout last year, faced Jamie Overbeek and Rookie Nathan Texier. It was clear from the start that the battle was between Jamie and Cohan, who put big scores on the board from the beginning of the heat. Cohan attempted an unhooked kite loop handle pass but didn't make the landing. He placed second and is now facing Clement Hout in Round 2.
"I just finished my heat in round one in second. I tried to beat Jamie (Overbeek) on the unhooked side, but I didn't get the win. I'm in round two now, so let's hope for some more wind." - Cohan
HEAT 2 | ROUND ONE RESULTS:
Jamie: 29.58
Cohan: 25.22
Nathan: FO
"I just finished my heat in round one in second. I tried to beat Jamie (Overbeek) on the unhooked side, but I didn't get the win. I'm in round two now, so let's hope for some more wind."
- Cohan van Dijk
FOILED BY THE FLAGOUT
In heat four, former King Marc Jacobs faced one of the most anticipated heats of the day against newcomer Charles Brodel, riding a hydrofoil. There was plenty of commotion about Charles making the selection because he has a significant advantage in lighter conditions. Marc went with variety and consistency, which could have scored him the win if he wasn't flagged out. The overall impression score only counts if you make it into the final part of your heat. Marc's two highest tricks weren't high enough to take first or second in this heat, so he will now advance into a second round. Luckily, the flag-out sequence only applies in Round 1 of the Open Division. Thiss recipe could be the way to go in Round 2 for Marc.
"I managed to do 10 tricks in 8 minutes and landed all of them, so I can't complain. Unfortunately, I was flagged-out in the last 20 seconds. I was focussing more on the overall impression score, but unfortunately, that doesn't count before the flag-out. The conditions are a little light and tricky at the moment, which is always difficult for a guy my size, but I'm looking forward to round two, and let's give another good show." - Marc
HEAT 4 | ROUND ONE RESULTS:
Timo: 25.26
Charles: 24.71
Marc: FO
BRING ON ROUND TWO!
After this thrilling Day 1 of Red Bull King of the Air 2024, we're looking at a potential restart later in the week.Riders and spectators played a waiting game on Sunday, December 1, but conditions did not materialise. A stoic mindset comes into play here - would you prefer to be prepared and not get wind, or have wind and not be ready for the comp?
The Red Bull King of the Air competition window remains open until December 8, and organisers are closely monitoring the forecast. Stay tuned to our North social channels for daily updates, and watch the Day One replay live at northkb.com/kota.
