An unexpectedly different podium line-up at this year's Cold Hawaii Big Air contest… Here's the full press release:
The past two editions of the Cold Hawaii Big Air Games have made kite history. 2021’s was the windiest kite event, ever. 2022 was different. For the first time, we saw a podium of fresh faces and brand-new-moves.
1. Andrea Principi
2. Lorenzo Casati
3. Timo Boersma
Photo: CAT YDE
Andrea set the tone for what was to come by landing S-loops in Round 1 – these moves are usually reserved for the dying seconds of a final. He then went on to beat the entire field, including the reigning champion, Liam Whaley, in the semi final.
Photo: CAT YDE
The final will stand the test of time for two reasons.
Firstly, we saw the coming together of two training partners, Lorenzo and Andrea. Yes, they are close friends but we are surely at the beginning of an intense rivalry. What other path could it take? These two 17 year olds are way ahead at the moment and it is only each other that stand in the way of kiteboarding greatness.
Photo: CAT YDE
Secondly, we saw multiple world-firsts, including S-loops with backrolls, frontrolls and board-offs. And, although it was far from being landed, Andrea laid the foundations for what he has coined the ‘Snake Loop’, which involves an S-loop with an additional loop thereafter. This is a move that we could see in December’s Red Bull King of The Air, for which Andrea has now earned himself a position on the rider’s list.
Rider: Andrea Principi | Video Credit: Kitesurf365
The drama that continually unfolds in the perfect big-air conditions of northern Denmark has cemented Cold Hawaii in the kiteboarding calendar. It is proving to be the perfect playground for groundbreaking kiteboarding and the stage is set for years to come.
Photo: CAT YDE
Visit the website: coldhawaiigames.com
