Team Rider Marc Jacobs crowned King of the Air 2021
Kiwi kiteboarder Marc Jacobs took down three-time champion Kevin Langeree and young gun Stig Hoefnagel to win an action-packed final at Cape Town’s Kite Beach.
The ninth edition of Red Bull King of the Air saw an epic weekend as the world’s finest big air kiteboarding athletes took center stage. Kite Beach, Cape Town played host to 18 of the world’s top riders, resulting in a more close-knit competition compared to previous years.
“This is all crazy,” said Jacobs, who bagged the iconic trophy after 22 heats and some six hours of competing spread over two days. “I’ve trained my butt off to get this position. This has been my dream for the last three years, to be standing here right now.”
The big win called for grand celebrations, as the event coincidentally took place on the champion’s 32nd birthday. “The fact that it happened on my birthday and that it played out exactly how I envisioned it is just crazy. It feels so good,” said Jacobs.
Following 20 months of global lockdowns, RBKOTA saw many changes in its return. Jacobs described how the training season in New Zealand worked in his favor to compete at what was an earlier competition than usual. RBKOTA is traditionally held in a weather window from late January to early February but took place in the best conditions in the new waiting period in late November to early December.
“I want to thank all the riders. You guys are insane. You guys are crazy. You pushed me to my limits and it was fun sharing a final with you guys.”
Marc Jacobs
King of the air 2021
Mystic B-Roll
Introducing 'Mystic B-Roll'! What happens behind the scenes during an event and what wouldn't make the cut normally? Check out the first episode about the Red Bull King of the Air 2021!
