Cape Town delivered its legendary drama as the curtain fell on the Red Bull King of the Air 2024, just hours before the weather window slammed shut. In a jaw-dropping showcase of Big Air kiteboarding, Italy’s Andrea Principi successfully defended his Open Division crown, while Britain’s Francesca Maini etched her name in history as the first-ever winner of the Women’s Division. Here’s how it all unfolded:
Riding the Cape Doctor’s Fury
As the clock ticked down, Cape Town’s infamous Cape Doctor winds finally roared to life, peaking at a thrilling 40 knots late in the afternoon. Swells of up to 3.1 meters set the stage for kiteboarding at its absolute zenith. Organizers made razor-sharp adjustments to the format—cutting heat times from 10 minutes to eight, with rapid turnarounds between rounds—to seize the fleeting ideal conditions.
By the time the Open Division final began, riders were pushing their limits in near darkness, carving the event into kiteboarding lore as the pinnacle of the sport.
Principi Reigns Supreme
Andrea Principi, just 20 years old, left no doubt about his dominance. A Contra Loop Back Tornado Board Off scored an epic 7.18, while his stylish Doobie Loop Board Off earned 6.76. Not one to hold back, Principi also nailed a Contra Loop Double Front Roll Rodeo for 6.47 points. His combination of gravity-defying height, technical brilliance, and daring innovation secured his second consecutive title.
“Once might be luck, but this…this is something else,” Principi said, brimming with emotion. “I’m not the real champion here—my family and sponsors are. They make this possible, and this win belongs to them.”
Hot on his heels was fellow Italian Lorenzo Casati, while local hero Luca Ceruti made history as the first South African to crack the top three, earning deafening cheers from the hometown crowd.
A New Era for Women’s Kiteboarding
The inaugural Women’s Division delivered its own spine-tingling spectacle. Britain’s Francesca Maini dominated with jaw-dropping tricks, including a Kite Loop Board Off and a soaring Boogieloop that wowed the judges. She sealed her victory with a flawless Contra Loop Front Roll, leaving no doubt she deserved the crown.
“This means everything to me,” Maini said, her voice shaking with joy. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long. To my family and supporters, thank you for making it happen.”
The women’s podium was rounded out by Dutch stars Zara Hoogenraad and Pippa Van Iersel, who added their own flair to this historic chapter.
Extreme Moves and Looking Ahead
Teenage phenom Zac Adams of the USA stole the show early on, snagging the Mystic Most Extreme Move of the Day with a dazzling Kiteloop Rotational Boardflip in Round 1. Sportive Director Sergio Cantagalli called this year’s event “kiteboarding at its rawest and most authentic,” adding, “Andrea and Francesca proved themselves as true champions.”
And the adventure isn’t over yet. The 2025 edition will introduce three European Qualifiers before Cape Town once again hosts the world’s elite.
Final 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)
This year’s Red Bull King of the Air reminded us why kiteboarding continues to capture the imagination—wild, unpredictable, and absolutely breathtaking. The kings and queens of the air have been crowned, but their legacy will soar long after the Cape Doctor quiets.
