Press Release | Andrea Principi and Francesca Maini Crowned Champions in a Dramatic Finale at Red Bull King of the Air 2024
Tue 10th Dec, 2024 @ 9:37 pm
Against all odds and in the final three hours of the event’s weather window, Red Bull King of the Air 2024 concluded with an exhilarating display of Big Air kiteboarding. With shortened heats and breaks to maximize the fleeting ideal conditions, the event crowned Andrea Principi (Italy) as the Open Division champion, successfully defending his title, with Luca Ceruti being the first South African to stand on the podium in the history of the competition, while Francesca Maini (United Kingdom) claimed victory in the inaugural Women’s Division.
The day unfolded with a thrilling sense of urgency. The famed Cape Doctor winds finally reached sufficient strength, peaking at 40 knots late in the afternoon, while the 2.5 to 3.1-meter southwest swells provided an ideal backdrop for the riders’ aerial feats. To make the most of the conditions, the organisers shortened heat from the usual 10 minutes to eight, with brief intervals between rounds. Each final was 13 minutes long, which gave the three riders the necessary time to showcase their abilities. The Open Division final pushed right to the brink, with riders performing in near-darkness, cementing the event’s reputation as the pinnacle of Big Air kiteboarding.
Andrea Principi, the defending Open Division champion, demonstrated why he remains at the pinnacle of Big Air kiteboarding. In the final, which lasted 13 intense minutes, Principi delivered a breathtaking performance to defend his Open Division title. His standout tricks included a Contra Loop Back Tornado Board Off that scored 7.18, a stylish Doobie Loop Board Off earning 6.76 points, and a technical Contra Loop Double Front Roll Rodeo for 6.47 points. This combination of height, precision and innovation cemented his status as the reigning king.
Principi said after his win, “Once may be luck, but this feels incredible. To be honest, I’m not the real winner here—my family and my sponsors are the true champions. They make all of this possible, and I owe this victory to them.”
In close second was countryman Lorenzo Casati, with South African Luca Ceruti rounding out the podium and becoming the first-ever local rider to finish in the top three. “Being the first South African on the podium at the Red Bull King of the Air is unbelievably rewarding. I’ve dreamt of this moment since I was a little kid. I remember watching King of the Air 10 years ago and realising: ‘This is what I want to do—I want to stand on that podium like the legends who came before me.”
The groundbreaking Women’s Division delivered equally dramatic action, with Francesca Maini etching her name into history as the first-ever female winner of the event. “It means so much—I was dreaming about this moment,” she said after the final. “It is amazing. To my family and everyone who supports me —thank you for making this possible.
Maini secured her historic win with a series of high-scoring manoeuvres that showcased her precision and technical mastery. Her top tricks included a Kite Loop Board Off, demonstrating her exceptional control and dynamic execution. Another highlight was a big Boogieloop that was backed up with a cleanly executed Contra Loop Front Roll, solidifying her victory.
“This was kiteboarding at its most raw and authentic,” commented Sportive Director, Sergio Cantagalli, praising the riders and the team’s ability to adapt. “Holding out for the perfect moment allowed us to witness a truly unforgettable finale. Andrea and Francesca proved themselves as champions in every sense, and I couldn’t be prouder of how this year’s event unfolded under such challenging conditions.”
American teenage sensation Zac Adams won the Mystic Most Extreme Move Of The Day for his highly innovative Kiteloop Rotational Boardflip, performed in Round 1.
Next year, we will see three European Qualifiers, with the main event in Cape Town acting as a world final.
The Results
Open Division
Andrea Principi (Italy)
Lorenzo Casati (Italy)
Luca Ceruti (South Africa)
Women’s Division
Francesca Maini (United Kingdom)
Zara Hoogenraad (Netherlands)
Pippa Van Iersel (Netherlands)
Head over to Red Bull to find out more.
Tue 10th Dec, 2024 @ 9:37 pm
