Red Bull King of the Air Qualifier Rate 2024
Lorenzo Casati takes the crown in Tarifa and reaffirms his place in the Red Bull King of the Air 2024 final in Cape Town.
Josué Ferreira, in second place, secures a spot in the Red Bull King of the Air 2024 final in South Africa, as Casati had already secured his spot after winning the international competition last year.
Today, Tarifa demonstrated why it's one of the world's best kitesurfing destinations during the qualifier for the world's craziest Big Air kitesurfing competition: Red Bull King of the Air. At Balneario Beach, where the Mediterranean and Atlantic winds meet, creating unique conditions, riders soared more than 25 meters above the water, performing tricks, loops, and transitions that left all the spectators in awe. Lorenzo Casati was the star of the day, flying higher than anyone else.
Lorenzo Casati, originally from Como, Italy, moved to Tenerife with his family at age 11, where he discovered his passion for kitesurfing under the guidance of his father, Renato Casati, a leading figure in the sport. At 15, in 2021, he placed 4th in an international competition in Spain and was crowned Spanish champion. He also finished 2nd at the Cold Hawaii Games in Denmark. In 2022, at just 16 years old, Lorenzo became the world's best kitesurfer, winning major competitions. He is also passionate about environmental sustainability and dreams of contributing to ethical conservation, especially in the field of kitesurfing and marine activities.
But Casati wasn't the only one who impressed. Josué Ferreira, who finished second in the competition, secured his place in the Red Bull King of the Air 2024 final in Cape Town. Casati had already secured his place in the final by winning the international competition last year.
On the other hand, a new generation of riders, many of them under 25 and from different parts of the world, has emerged strongly, proving that the future of kitesurfing lies in young and talented hands. With a wide variety of styles and a desire to break records, these young riders are not only competing for victory, but also to take this extreme sport to the next level.
The magic of Tarifa.
With winds of up to 46 knots and waves that challenge even the most experienced, Tarifa has become the epicenter of the first-ever qualifying stop for Red Bull King of the Air, the world's craziest Big Air kitesurfing competition.
From the early hours of the morning, the youthful energy and cultural diversity of Tarifa's beaches have been felt in every jump, every trick, and every wave.
"I loved the competition. The level was extremely high, and Balneario beach is spectacular. When the easterly wind blows, it gets really strong, and that's what I like. I'm very happy with this first place finish here," commented Lorenzo Casati.
A competitive path full of excitement.
The process to reach this ranking has been as demanding as it was spectacular. After an online video contest in which riders from more than 20 countries presented their best tricks, a panel of world-class judges, led by Sergio Cantagalli, International Sports Director, along with Álvaro Onieva, National Sports Director; Juan Antonio Aragón, Race Director; Ignacio del Águila, Chief Judge; and judges Mallory Hersart, Victor Hays, and Vladimir Rodríguez, participated.
These experts selected the most outstanding athletes for the qualifying round. The athletes, ranging from promising youngsters to kitesurfing veterans, demonstrated why Red Bull King of the Air is the most important and challenging Big Air competition.
Final ranking of the Spanish qualifiers for Red Bull King of the Air 2024
1. Lorenzo Casati – 250 points
2. Josué Ferreira – 200 points
3. Josh Gillitt – 160 points
4. Valentín Hoenderop – 107 points
4. Luca Ceruti – 107 points
4. Parker Sage – 107 points
7. Nathan Texier – 71 points
7. Zac Adams – 71 points
7. Fabian Frick – 71 points
7. Karim Mahmud – 71 points
7. Cohan van Dijk – 71 points
7. Timo Boersema – 71 points
13. Luca Ludke – 32 points
13. Hamza Ismail – 32 points
13. Marius Sanchez – 32 points
13. Noah Nicolas – 32 points
13. Jett Bradshaw – 32 points
13. Yucel Paralik – 32 points
Next stop: the Red Bull King of the Air 2024 final.
The grand finale of this competition will be held between November 25 and December 10 in Cape Town, South Africa, where the world's top 18 kiteboarders will compete to be crowned champions.
For more information about the event, the qualifier in Tarifa, and the grand finale in Cape Town, visit the official Red Bull King of the Air website.
