Kevin Langeree Claims Red Bull King Of The Air Title For Second Time

[Toby]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWhgNeINYu4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWhgNeINYu4

[longwhitecloud]

He boost so big. Doesn't mess around adding in as much arm strength as possible on the whip.

[tautologies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWhgNeINYu4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWhgNeINYu4

That was awesome. You can see how frustrated he was after the first round and then how relieved he was after the second.

[saintwill6606]

Awesome.....What sound system is he using???

[FLandOBX]

I finally found time to watch the Lewis Crathern - Jesse Richman semi-final last night. That heat showed how subjective the judging can be at KOTA. Echoing the sentiments of those posting in the other KOTA thread, I really think Jesse deserved to be in the finals. Even so, I got pumped just watching him kite. He is an absolute bear with the unhooked mega-loop passes. His performance has to be the best 4th place showing KOTA has ever seen. Jesse, I'm impressed.

[H2Oaltitude]

Awesome.....What sound system is he using???

Sound system? If your asking about the ear plugs he is wearing they are SurfEars to protect from water.

https://surfears.com/

[Peert]

I finally found time to watch the Lewis Crathern - Jesse Richman semi-final last night. That heat showed how subjective the judging can be at KOTA. Echoing the sentiments of those posting in the other KOTA thread, I really think Jesse deserved to be in the finals. Even so, I got pumped just watching him kite. He is an absolute bear with the unhooked mega-loop passes. His performance has to be the best 4th place showing KOTA has ever seen. Jesse, I'm impressed.

I did not watch the semifinals you are writing about. And you are probably very right in your judgements. I fully agree that (as any other jury sport) the judging is subjective... I like Jesse Richman a lot. Nice positive attitude..... but does Jesse come from your the same country as you do? Are you 100% objective? Can anyone be? Especially in such a small sport (on competition level)? Does Red Bull come from the US? Who needs to win from a commercial perspective?

So I would say, lets sit back and enjoy the show and try not to be bothered too much by judges....

[PullStrings]

Does Red Bull come from the US?
Who needs to win from a commercial perspective?

[Peert]

haha. I guess the best Austrian kitesurfer wasn't anywhere near good enough and The Netherlands the most nearby. That would also explain the large proportion of Dutch riders competing..

[FLandOBX]

..... but does Jesse come from your the same country as you do? Are you 100% objective? Can anyone be? Especially in such a small sport (on competition level)? Does Red Bull come from the US? Who needs to win from a commercial perspective?

So I would say, lets sit back and enjoy the show and try not to be bothered too much by judges....

Peert, I agree 100% that sitting back and enjoying the show is the best approach. That's what I do. I'm not at all bothered by the judging and am not being critical. Just making an observation. (Watch the semi, if you have a chance. You might agree with me.) And, honestly, it didn't even cross my mind that Jesse was from the USA until I read your post! It wouldn't have mattered to me any way. (We, in the USA, prefer people from Norway.....or so we're told by our current paper-pusher-in-chief. ) And I have no idea where Red Bull is based. Guessing they are owned by some mega-international-conglomerate? Perhaps, I'm naive, but I believe the judging is subjective because reasonable minds can differ, and because people see different things and appreciate different skills, not because of national origin or sponsorship. It's all good to me. I'm happy that Kevin won the event, because he (IMHO) was the best in this year's competition. And I thoroughly enjoyed the "show" in its entirety.