Huge kiteloops at the Megaloop Challenge in Holland.
Dreamed up and hosted by Mr Mega Loop himself, Ruben Lenten the challenge is all about going hard in some of the most extreme conditions on earth. With an event window stretching almost a month, waiting for the windiest day possible, riders got a phone call 24 hours before the event was due to begin. Rushing to Zandvoort with 7 and 9m kites, they were met with 30 knots and some small windchop, and a forecase for the wind to increase.
“Mother Nature serving us a nice playground of classic Dutch storm conditions that were absolutely perfect to turn The Red Bull Megaloop Challenge into an epic and spectacular show! All the selected riders pushed it hardcore to the max. There was no holding back!” ~ Ruben Lenten
One of the biggest moments of the day was during the early heats, when Core rider Steven Akkersdijk’s kite stalled right at the bottom of a loop. It literally just fell out of the sky, causing him to plummet into shallow water leaving him dazed, floating downwind. He was picked up by a jetski and whisked into the back of an ambulance, then he had to spend the rest of the day in hospital! Unfortunate for him, because the loop before he crashed was one of the most extreme in the competition. There were also runaway kites, broken boards and of course, bruised ego’s as the heats were run – but in the end it was Lasse Walker riding North who won. His mix of tricks, and hardcore mega loops were second to none. Kevin Smidt placed second, and Willem Van der Meij was third.
As with most of the Red Bull Events, you can replay the live stream online. Get ready to watch 4 hours of the most extreme kiteboarding on earth – commentated by Lewis Crathern and Jim from the Kite Show.
Brisbane, QLD
