King of the Air 2019 - all info here

[longwhitecloud]

i really hope they have upped their safety crew game plan for the possible situations like unconscious riders and other possible situations

They should have an experienced ( kite/ ski/ surf life rescue / rib) safety safety crew that train specifically for the potential situations/ conditions they might encounter.

Something like the World Surfing Leagues safety support crew.

Red Bull turned over $6 Billion last year.

A few skis with knives, 2 trained onboard and a sled would seem to make sense as a start

If you already have 2 near drownings I would expect to see far greater investment in this, this year.

prize money - what is the actual prize money... couldnt find it published or what was it last year?

1st 25%
2nd 18%
3rd 15%
4th (3) 5.5%
Equal 7th (3) 3%
Equal 10th (3) 2.5%
Equal 13th (2) 2%
Equal 16th (2) 1%

[Toby]

Not sure, but I think the winner got 10.000 USD or so.
So total would be 40.000 USD.

A joke for that risk.

[longwhitecloud]

so taking home $400 is possible..

i agree, that prize money for that risk from a yearly $6 billion turnover company is a joke.

riders really got to be educated to make the right choices for themselves, not be blinded by todays daily instafame.

[Pemba]

so taking home $400 is possible..

i agree, that prize money for that risk from a yearly $6 billion turnover company is a joke.

riders really got to be educated to make the right choices for themselves, not be blinded by todays daily instafame.

That sounds a bit patronizing.. I think the majority of participants is not there for the prize money. Which is obviously very low. So what do you think they should do ? Organize themselves and get more out of RB ? Maybe. But if you look at the number of spectators, media coverage etc, kitesurfing just isn't as interesting to non kiters as many other sports. I think any weekly premier league footbal game has many more spectators then the KOTA. Incredible and sad though that may be. At least it looks that way to me.

[Toby]

Unfortunately you are right.

[longwhitecloud]

as an entrant id be way more concerned about the $ and training put into pulling unconscious riders out of the water effectively than winning $400+, looking back at what happened last year.

last year some of the competitors were scared... and for good reason.

i like watching the comp, you need to be careful not to have your good judgement as a competitor distorted by the instafame$ era we live in.

Iv seen in comps before, bad decisions by the event organisers, pressure on riders, riders judgement distorted, yep.. do it for themselves

anyway, i hope sure they take things more seriously this year.

Redbull Skyride Tarifa Flash Austin jump was big influence on my kiting.

[a99]

Of course 40k prize fund is joking small for sich high risks. 10 or 20k for winner having in mind taxes is absolutely small money for such risk and every day training expenses.
Of course Red bull providing flights for them (as i understand) and also living costs there. So 18 participants x 800-1000 usd flight costs, plus hotels and per diems for two weeks , plus organizing expenses and pr, fee for jugdes, safery team, and etc total budget for Kota i think goes to 150-200k at least. But of course having in mind todays media realtime tv broadcasts with advertising and etc this is zero money as red bull spreading in such way their brand so wide.
Would be good if some past kota rider will share provided conditions as for flights, living, per diems and prizes.

[Toby]

I really hope they get all expenses paid.

Because normally besides the top 3/5 riders in a comp bring money to the event...

I rode several comps, and mostly paid on top. Besides the ones I won..but at the end it was a joke what was left over at the end after reducing the costs of transportation and lodging.
But I never did it for the money...but those kids need to live from it...

Let there maybe be 10 riders worldwide (from all disciplines) who have a plus at the end...that is sad.

[a99]

Yes, its sad that such nature friendly sport cannot keep and be living basis for lot of riders and this sport pro in wider level. But it's such world: all actions which are friendly and higher than ground cannot easy live in this word: take poets, musicians, artists, wingsuits, kiters and lot of amazing other activities. Word is run by heavy-hardmatters

[grigorib]

Not sure, but I think the winner got 10.000 USD or so.
So total would be 40.000 USD.

A joke for that risk.

But also cheap advertisement expenses for caffeinated sugarwater. They don’t give a damn if riders kill themselves and a death will result in even more publicity, more media coverage. Win-win?