New Big Air world champions crowned at Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup France
by Gemma Hamaini 1 Apr 18:54 BST
29 March - 27 April, 2025
Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup France © Andy Troy
The 2025 GKA Big Air Kite World Cup kicked off in Barcares, France, on Saturday, with the Tramontana wind roaring at full force.
Twenty-four men and twelve women battled fiercely, not just for the prestigious Lords of Tram event title but also for the 2025 GKA Big Air Kite World Championship. The results from Jericoacoara 2024 and Lords of Tram 2025 will determine this year's ultimate champion.
Competitors were granted seven trick attempts, with their top three scores counting towards their final results. The judges set clear criteria: they were looking for massive height and amplitude, combined with technical difficulty and clean landings.
Shock exits
Men's Round 1 unfolded with winds gusting over 45 knots, setting the stage for an electrifying competition. Riders pushed their limits from the very beginning, aiming to secure a direct spot in Round 3.
A major highlight of the event was the return of Liam Whaley to competitive kitesurfing after a 1.5-year injury hiatus. He rode as though he had never left, showcasing remarkable skill from the outset.
Men's Round 2 marked the first elimination stage, where some big names made an early exit, including Cohan Van Dijk, Arthur Guillebert, Zac Adams, and Beto Gomez.
As the competition progressed to the quarter-finals, the intensity reached new heights. Liam Whaley performed impressively in his comeback event but fell just short of advancing to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Josh Gillit and Lorenzo Casati displayed relentless determination, securing their spots in the next round.
Joining them in the semi-finals were Andrea Principi and Leonardo Casati, who dominated their Round 3 heat. Edgar Ulrich kept his world title aspirations alive by narrowly advancing with a clutch final trick. Stino Mul also secured his place with a solid 6.2-point trick on his last attempt. The final two semi-finalists, Timo Boersma and Kimo Verkerk, fought through grueling wind conditions to claim their spots.
Tight title race
On day two, the Tramontana wind continued to blast through relentlessly. With the semi-finalists set, the 2025 title race came down to just three contenders: Edgar Ulrich, Lorenzo Casati, and Andrea Principi. They all faced off in Semi-Final 1, along with Kimo Verkerk, in a highly anticipated battle. Edgar struggled from the outset, his early scores keeping him in fourth place. Meanwhile, Casati and Principi went trick for trick, pushing each other to the limit. Despite his best efforts, Edgar couldn't advance, finishing fourth in his heat. This result secured Lorenzo Casati the 2025 GKA Big Air World Championship title. The young Italian returned to shore, ecstatic, celebrating his incredible achievement with his family on the beach.
The competition continued with the second men's semi-final but was briefly halted after Josh Gillit suffered a heavy crash, requiring medical attention. Fortunately, he was stable and treated by the local medical team, though unable to continue competing.
When the heat resumed, the remaining three riders—Leonardo Casati, Stino Mul, and Timo Boersma—fought fiercely. The points remained tight until the very last trick attempt, but ultimately, Leonardo Casati and Stino Mul secured their spots in the final, joining Lorenzo Casati and Andrea Principi.
Thrilling showdown
Andrea Principi may not have claimed the 2025 world title, but he entered the final with one clear goal: to deliver the best heat of his life. Despite crashing his opening attempt, he rebounded with an outstanding ContraLoop Front Roll Board Off, earning 9.03 points. He then upped the ante with a 9.33 ContraLoop Back Roll, the highest-scoring trick of the entire event.
Lorenzo Casati, already crowned world champion, remained composed throughout the final. To make it even more special, he was joined in the heat by his younger brother, Leonardo Casati. Though one of the youngest riders on tour, Leonardo rode with confidence far beyond his years, proving he is a rising star to watch.
With two 9-point scores on the board, Andrea Principi built an insurmountable lead. The wind was blasting, and the finalists were going all in, risking everything for massive tricks. Stino Mul held third place for most of the heat but dropped back in the final two trick attempts. In a dramatic finish, Andrea remained unstoppable, securing the Lords of Tram victory and celebrating in front of an ecstatic crowd. Lorenzo Casati took second place, while his younger brother Leonardo earned his first podium finish in third. Stino Mul rounded out the final standings in fourth.
It was a breathtaking conclusion to an unforgettable weekend in Barcares, cementing the 2025 GKA Big Air Kite World Cup as one of the most thrilling events in Big Air history.
Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup France 2025 - Men
1. Andrea Principi (ITA)
2. Lorenzo Casati (ESP)
3. Leonardo Casati (ITA)
4. Stino Mul (NED)
Women's division
The female athletes set the bar high from the very start at Lords of Tram, delivering an electrifying performance in the relentless Tramontana wind. The level of competition was off the charts, with Pippa van Iersel, Francesca Maini, Sarah Sadek, and Mikaili Sol advancing directly to the semi-finals. The remaining competitors had a second chance in Round 2.
Alice Ruggiu made a strong comeback in Round 2, securing her place in the semi-finals alongside Svenja Zoe Peters. However, the biggest upset of the round was the early elimination of reigning World Champion Zara Hoogenraad, who struggled to meet her usual high standards. Meanwhile, Nathalie Lambrech delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a solid 19.60 points overall and advancing to the next stage with Alessa Mensch.
In semi-final 1, Francesca Maini stood out with a diverse range of high-scoring tricks. Alice Ruggiu battled fiercely, earning her spot in the final with an impressive 6.27-point Contra Loop. In Semi-Final 2, Mikaili Sol continued to dominate, landing consistent, high-scoring tricks to secure her place. She was joined by Egyptian rider Sarah Sadek, who pieced together a strong heat and locked in her spot among the final four.
Grand finale
The four finalists took competition to another level, pushing the boundaries of Big Air kitesurfing. Mikaili Sol started strong, immediately asserting her dominance. However, Francesca Maini remained close behind, proving once again why she is considered one of the top riders in the sport. She thrived in the extreme conditions, showcasing her skill and determination.
Alice Ruggiu, despite her stellar performance in earlier rounds, struggled to find her rhythm in the final and had to settle for fourth place. Meanwhile, Sarah Sadek delivered an incredible performance, climbing her way to third and celebrating her first-ever GKA podium finish.
In the end, it was Mikaili Sol who stole the show, executing an outstanding heat to claim victory. Returning to the beach triumphant, she secured her eighth World Title, proving once again that she is an unstoppable force in the sport and solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest Big Air riders of all time.
Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup France 2025 - Women
1. Mikaili Sol (BRA)
2. Francesca Maini (GBR)
3. Sarah Sadek (EGY)
4. Alice Ruggiu (ITA)
GKA Big Air Kite World Championships 2025 overall results
Men
1. Lorenzo Casati (ESP)
2. Andrea Principi (ITA)
3. Edgar Ulrich (FRA)
Women
1. Mikaili Sol (BRA)
2. Francesa Maini (GBR)
3. Alice Ruggiu (ITA)