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Red Bull King of the Air set to begin

Cape Town - The world’s best kiteboarders are currently in Cape Town preparing for Red Bull King of the Air 2015 – the window period for which starts tomorrow, 31 January.

They’ve been enjoying the 40kph winds and sweltering temperatures in the Mother City ahead of the start of the window period. The one-day event, which will be determined by wind conditions, will take place at Big Bay, Blouberg.

24 participants will go up against each other in the unique ‘flag-out’ competition format. Amongst those vying for the title are 2013’s champ Jesse Richman (USA) and defending champ Kevin Langeree (NED) as well as 5-time world champion Aaron Hadlow (GBR). Two wildcard entrants in the form of Alexandre Neto (BRA) and Antonin Rangin (FRA) also join the throng.

Due to injury 2015 South African Champion Oswald Smith is unable to take part and compatriot Luke McGillewie has been called up to will take Oswald’s spot in the lineup.

As with previous editions of Red Bull King of the Air, a very talented and experienced judging panel will take into account each kiter’s energy, height and creativity to establish who will take the crown. Alex Vliege (NED), Greg Tjisse (RSA), Vitezslav Adamicek (CZE), Arek Jerzelkowski (POL), Reinier Korstanje (NED) and Chris Bull (GBR) will  be watching to see who gets the most height and airtime while performing the biggest tricks.

Contest Director Olaf van Tol (NED) rounds up the sportive team on the ground.

Robby Naish (USA), godfather of wind-based watersports, is pleased to be heading to Cape Town to check out the competition himself.

“This will be the 3rd Red Bull King of the Air held at Big Bay in Cape Town and the event has become the defining competition for the sport of kiteboarding. No other competition or even the world tour carries the prestige and impacts the sport like the Red Bull King of the Air does. I am really happy to still be involved with the sport and connected to the event more than a decade after the first one held on Maui. I am really looking forward to riding in Cape Town!”

Keep your eyes peeled on www.redbullkingoftheair.com for more the most up-to-date information.

If you’re not able to make it down to Big Bay make sure you watch it live on the Red Bull King of the Air website or catch the semi-finals & finals on Red Bull TV.

Red Bull TV is available on connected TVs, gaming consoles, mobile devices and more. For a full list of supported devices visit about.redbull.tv.

Red Bull King of the Air is a one-day event and will run on the windiest day in the 14-day window period.  

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