The 2025 Red Bull King of the Air returned to Kite Beach, Bloubergstrand, on Monday, 24 November, bringing with it a day filled with resilience, skill, and shifting winds that pushed riders to their limits. While conditions tested competitors and organizers alike, the late afternoon turned into a showcase of world-class Big Air kiteboarding, locking in the semifinal matchups and delivering some of the most unforgettable heats of the event so far.
Day 2 Starts Slow, Ends Explosively
The competition opened with promise but was halted twice during Heat 10 as the wind faltered. Riders and spectators were forced into long waits, but patience was eventually rewarded. At 17:45 local time, the wind returned in force, gusting above 30 knots, turning the sky over Table Mountain into a theatre of competition as Round 2 and Round 3 continued into sunset.
Casati Makes It Count
Once Heat 10 resumed at 17:58, Italy’s Leonardo Casati exploded back into action. Maintaining the high-intensity style he has become known for, Casati delivered a string of aggressive, high-risk tricks—highlighted by what commentators dubbed the “Houdini,” a miraculous recovery that drew gasps from the beach.
He continued his run of dominance through Heat 14, scoring 27.14 to eliminate the Netherlands’ Timo Boersema, and followed up with a heat total of 28.03 in Heat 15 to dispatch Portugal’s Shahar Tsabary. Casati not only advanced but firmly established himself as one of the men to beat.
Cohan Van Dijk and Luca Ceruti Keep Pressure On
Dutch talent Cohan Van Dijk claimed Heat 16 with 26.69 points, narrowly outscoring Spain’s Jeremy Burlando to secure his place in the semifinals.
In Heat 17, South African fans erupted when local hero Luca Ceruti pulled off one of the boldest strategic moves of the day. Midway through the heat, Ceruti switched to a 7-metre foil kite—a lighter and riskier setup under the conditions. The gamble succeeded. Ceruti put up 23.66 points, eliminating Giel Vlugt and sending the beach crowd into celebration.
Adams Delivers the Major Upset
The defining moment of the day arrived in the final heat, as American Zac Adams pulled off the biggest upset of the competition, defeating two-time defending champion Andrea Principi 28.14 to 25.69. Adams secured the win with a massive kiteloop combined with a double backroll and board flip, sealing his place in history.
For Principi, it marked the end of his title defense, but what happened next proved the spirit of the sport. Overcome with emotion, Adams credited the champion:
“This is a dream! Andrea is the reason I am here and it shows you just need to keep believing. He is a huge inspiration.”
Principi then walked down the beach to congratulate the young rider—an unforgettable display of sportsmanship, unity, and respect.
Rising Stars and High Stakes
Earlier, 20-year-old Parker Sage continued his impressive run by defeating South Africa’s Jason van der Spuy in Heat 13 (26.58 to 24.28) after already eliminating Dutch veteran Stino Mul in Round 2.
Meanwhile, the Casati brothers—Lorenzo (2022 champion, 2024 runner-up) and Leonardo—remain on a potential collision course, provided Leonardo gets past Ceruti in what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated heats of the event.
Semifinals Locked
With Round 3 complete, the semifinal showdowns are now set:
- Heat 19: Lorenzo Casati vs Parker Sage
- Heat 20: Luca Ceruti vs Leonardo Casati
- Heat 21: Cohan Van Dijk vs Zac Adams
A Spectacular Finish Ahead
With the weather window open until 7 December and favorable wind on the forecast, the 2025 Red Bull King of the Air looks poised for a dramatic final phase in both the Open and Women’s Divisions.
From unpredictable conditions to unforgettable performances, Day 2 reminded everyone at Kite Beach that this event is not just about height and power—it’s about adaptability, resilience, and passion. The crown awaits, but only one rider will rise above the rest.