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September saw Zara Hoogenraad crowned the first women’s Red Bull Megaloop champion. She achieved this success on the CORE XR Pro and her boyfriend, Giel Vlugt, reached the semifinals at the same event using the newest version of this kite, the XR Pro 2. Time to find out more from them about this latest release from CORE.
Photos Nikola Bagarov
Zara: I’ve been riding the XR since I joined CORE in 2021. I started with the XR6, learned my first loops on it, then moved to the XR7 when it came out and later the XR Pro. What I love most about the XR Pro is how high I can go and how extreme I can make it look. The power in the loop with the right kite angle gives me so much adrenaline. I love it!
Giel: I started riding the XR five years ago, and historically they’ve only changed a little. However this year there have been plenty of changes and the XR Pro 2 has taken a serious leap! I love the XR Pros – I love the power, hangtime and boost that’s just unparalleled.
Frank Ilfrich [the Designer] and his team somehow managed to get more lift, more hangtime, less bar pressure, and quicker steering from the new version. It’s more intuitive and lighter on the bar allowing for easier handling. But the kite is still an absolute rocket. A record breaker for sure!
Zara: I haven’t ridden the XR Pro 2 a lot yet, but I could feel the difference straight away. It takes everything to the next level – more height, smoother loops, and you get that extra lift in the downloop. It makes the impossible feel easy, which is exactly what you need in Big Air.
Giel: We have been testing for Frank and been giving feedback. However Frank and his team have been calling all the shots and making the changes. But I believe that’s how we manage to achieve a better product – rider feedback and designer tweaks. That’s the way to go!
We have both been injured recently and couldn’t kite for a while. So I was sad I couldn’t give the team more feedback since the testing timing was exactly when I was injured. In the end it all worked out because in my opinion they knocked it out of the park!
Zara: I’ve just come back from my injury, so my recent focus has been getting back to my old level and being ready for the Red Bull Megaloop. I rode the XR Pro 1 at the Megaloop, because I didn’t want to switch to a kite I didn’t fully know yet. But the XR Pro 2 is the kite I’ll be pushing on now that I’m back.
Giel: I was riding the XR Pro 2 at Red Bull Megaloop, getting some of the highest loops in while weighing the most and being on an 8m like almost all other riders. I will definitely be using this kite for the next competitions. Apart from double looping – there I will stick to my Pace Pro.
We recently visited Oman where these photos were taken. It is always a really nice trip – away from the crowds and pressure but just enjoying the moment and enjoying kiting. However this year wasn’t as windy as it normally is so we booked our return flight a little sooner as Tarifa was cooking up some Levante storms!
Zara: Oman was my first trip after the injury and the first time Giel and I were back on the water together. The place is always beautiful – blue water, super nice people and enjoying fresh lobster every night.
Now it’s all about training and enjoying some time at home in Tarifa and competing when the wind decides to hit competition spots. At the end of October, it’s back to Cape Town to start preparing for the biggest event of the year – the Red Bull King of the Air. ■
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