Luca Ceruti’s New ERA – South African Kitesurfer Claims Podium at Red Bull King of the Air 2024
Thu 12th Dec, 2024 @ 12:00 am
A Historic Achievement for the South African Rider Luca Ceruti and FLYSURFER
For the first time in the history of the iconic Red Bull King of the Air competition, a South African kitesurfer has made it to the podium! Local hero Luca Ceruti broke barriers and secured an impressive third-place finish at this prestigious Big Air kiteboarding event, held annually in South Africa since 2013.
Tension Builds as the Green Light is ON
The tension couldn’t have been higher during the competition period from November 23 to December 8, marked by an unusual lack of wind. This left organizers and competitors awaiting ideal conditions. Finally, on Saturday, November 30, the forecast looked promising, and a strong breeze at Blouberg Beach allowed the first round to kick off late in the afternoon.
In the Open Division, 18 of the world’s best Big Air kiteboarders battled for the legendary crown of King of the Ai,r while 6 of the best women in Big Air competed for the crown in the Women’s Division. FLYSURFER Athlete Luca Ceruti started his event in Round 1, Heat 5, facing Edgar Ulrich and Parker Sage. It was a great battle, and thanks to a higher impression score achieved through trick variety and extremity, Luca clinched first place in the heat and went straight to Round 3. However, the wind faded, and the event was placed on hold. The following week’s forecast appeared equally bleak, raising concerns about whether the competition could be completed before the December 8 deadline.
Relief came on Saturday, December 7, when the green light was given to resume the event on the next and final day, December 8. Due to the late start, the committee decided to shorten the heats from 10 to 8 minutes to ensure all remaining heats in the Women’s Division and Open Division could be completed. Luca dominated in Round 3, Heat 17, landing ten tricks in his heat and defeating Cohan van Dijk to advance to the semifinals.
The conditions were challenging, with massive 2-4-meter waves, heavy whitewater, and a strong current, making it hard to find the perfect kicker. These difficult conditions showcased the level of the Red Bull King of the Air Riders as they showed spectacular tricks, including ContraLoop 3X Backroll Board Offs, Boogie Loop Frontroll Board Spins, and Contraloop Fronttornado Board Offs, to mention a few of them.
After a challenging year with an injury, Luca Ceruti worked hard on himself, training extensively on the water and at the gym on his physical and mental performance with Coach Ruan Retief. Coming into this year’s King of the Air, Luca felt stronger than ever and showcased that the hard work was worth it! Competing in his home spot, his outstanding body strength and
his technical riding skills gave him the self-confidence he needed in the semifinals against his competitor from the Netherlands, Stijn Mul. Only a fraction ahead at the end of the heat in the Trick, Scores came down to the Overall Impression, where Luca’s performance widened the gap and clinched his spot in the final. Winning by 0.55 showed again how high the rider’s level is at King of the Air. It was again a great battle.
A Historic First: A South African Rider Reaches the Finals
It was an unbelievable victory for the South African kitesurfer Luca Ceruti. After a challenging day, he made it through to the final, competing now against Andrea Principi (IT) and Lorenzo Casati (IT), both former King of the Air winners. It was already late in the day, and the sun was already gone. Despite the late hour and diminishing visibility, the three finalists delivered a spectacular 13-minute show.
As the sun set and darkness fell, the results were announced. Andrea Principi claimed the crown with a score of 29.24, Lorenzo Casati followed closely with 29.06, and Luca Ceruti secured third place with 22.56. The three finalists delivered an outstanding performance with a series of huge, complex moves that had the visitors at the beach in awe!
“The energy is something I’ll never forget. Standing on that podium, surrounded by an electric atmosphere and so many incredible people, was a moment I’ll carry with me forever. From the lows to the highs, the journey to this point has been nothing short of incredible. I’m deeply grateful for the support, the experience, and the opportunity to share this dream with all of you. We get to do this—together.” – Luca Ceruti
Luca Ceruti signed with FLYSURFER in January 2024
Luca Ceruti’s remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. The Langebaan native, who began kiting at nine under his father’s guidance, signed a contract with FLYSURFER at the beginning of 2024. Luca now rides the FLYSURFER ERA and the Foil Kites SOUL and SONIC, forming a powerful Big Air setup. After the historic Red Bull King of the Air podium for Luca Ceruti and FLYSURFER, we can’t wait for the upcoming season – this is just the beginning; there is still more to come!
Luke McGillewie, L.E.I Kite Designer at FLYSURFER, is proud of his South African team and the collaborative effort that has contributed to the success of the ERA Big Air Kite.
“FLYSURFER has had a phenomenal year, from dominating at the Olympics to claiming a WOO World Record with Hugo Wigglesworth, and now this Red Bull King of the Air podium by Luca Ceruti. It’s an unbelievable way to finish the year and add to the list of achievements for our brand. We have all seen how hard Luca has been working throughout his career, but this year, his focus and performance have been absolutely on fire, and it has all come together. As a teammate, friend, and fellow South African, I couldn’t be more proud of his performance!
Luca came on board with FLYSURFER to ride the ERA, knowing that this would be the kite that could take him to the top. He has been an important part of the development and direction of the ERA, and our R&D Team has been working hard over the past few years to bring about a new era for the brand and for Big Air. FLYSURFER has access to the most innovative new materials on the market, but we have made a very conscious decision to keep the standard Dacron construction with the ERA. AVer extensive long-term testing, we believe that these traditional materials offer the best combination of performance, durability, accessibility, and affordability. At a significantly lower price than any other kite in the Open Division Semifinals, we can say that, with the ERA, Big Air is for everyone.” – Luke McGillewie, R&D FLYSURFER
Big Air riders increasingly turn to foil kites like the FLYSURFER SOUL and SONIC, renowned for their superior hangtime and performance.
“Foil kites are currently an incredible training tool for Big Air athletes. While they differ from tube kites, they have become quite accessible in recent years. Foil Kites offer unmatched hang Eme and exceptional performance in light wind conditions compared to any Tube Kite.
Although our current Foil Kites do not yet meet the specific demands of major Big Air companies, athletes like Luca have been pushing the limits of what these kites can achieve. As a brand, we are continuously innovating to ensure that our Foil Kites can meet the needs of both professional and amateur Big Air riders.” Théo de Ramecourt, professional HydroFoil Athlete and FLYSURFER R&D Team member.
Thu 12th Dec, 2024 @ 12:00 am
