Oct. 15, 2005 - Maui, Hawaii - Today marked the end of an era as the 7th
and final Red Bull King of the Air, kiteboarding"s premier event, came to a
close after a dramatic week of waves, wind and high flying action. Women"s
champion, Susi Mai of the Dominican Republic, defeated current PKRA
Champion Kristin Boese of Germany, making this Susi"s third back-to-back
Queen of the Air title, an unprecedented feat. In the men"s division,
newcomer Rueben Lenten of the Netherlands cinched an astounding victory
over one of kiteboarding"s greats: Maui"s own Robby Naish.

On the beach after a long day of kiting, Susi Mai said, "I got really
nervous cause I had to go up against Kristin (Boese). I spaced out and
took the wrong kite, so I lost early and was like 7th or something. But
with the double elimination I still had a chance, but a long ways to go
back up the ladder. I did like five heats today and I am just really tired
right now. Happy, but really tired."

Rueben Lenten on the other hand, was full of energy after his win over
Robby Naish, "Robby"s the man, he kicks ass, he rips, he charges, he takes






big airs. To beat him at this special event, I"m stoked." Both skill and
luck were in Rueben"s favor today. Halfway through the men"s final round,
Robby Naish"s kite went down for a few precious moments giving Rueben a
real and psychological advantage over the established master. "The wind
kind of dropped and I was a little bit underpowered, but then I saw Robby"s
kite go down and I was smiling, yeah I was lucky."

ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

This week"s action got underway at Kanaha Beach on Monday and Tuesday where
an international field of 44 men and 17 women attempted to advance to the
main event at Ho"okipa. 32 men and 6 women made the cut and met pre-seeded
athletes; Antoine Jaubert, Charles Delaeu, Robby Naish, Aaron Hadlow, Susi
Mai and Julie Simsar.

On Thursday, the first day of the main event, the action picked up
considerably as the first solid northwest swell coincided with event.
15-20 foot waves (faces) and strong 20 knot winds challenged all the
competitors. As the field dwindled, the conditions remained excellent for
Friday; huge surf and even stronger winds kept the competitors on their
toes as some prospered and others were shut down with the sneaker sets of
waves.

WORLD WIDE WIND

An aptly named “Fly To… King of the Air” qualifier series took place around
the world, bringing together kiteboarding’s growing global community.
Individual competitions took place in such locations as Mexico, Singapore,
Switzerland and the Czech Republic to allow for worldwide participation in
the Maui trials and main event. The winner of each regional event was given
airfare, accommodations and a spot in the Red Bull King of the Air trial
rounds at Kanaha Beach this past week.

AIR APPARENT

There are few sports which rival the height and flight time of
kiteboarding, and even fewer areas of the world where the sport can be






practiced year round.

Reaching 40-60 feet high and flying more than 100 feet in distance,
kiteboarders pull off spectacular moves such as kite loops, handle passes,
board off"s and huge grab"s all propelled by Mother Nature’s breath. As
such, Maui is considered the birthplace of kiteboarding and its older
cousin, windsurfing. Hundreds come to this “Wind Mecca” to experience the
consistent side-shore trade winds, warm water and designated kiteboarding
areas. Ho’okipa Beach, on the other hand, is a designated windsurfing area
that is only open to kiters during this event.

When the first Red Bull King of the Air went airborne in 1999, kiteboarding
was known only to a lucky few, and the concept of an international kiting
event was revolutionary. Over the intervening years, the matchless
conditions of Maui’s Ho’okipa Beach Point – and the innovations of the
incredible athletes who are drawn to compete there – have helped to make
kiteboarding one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Red Bull King
of the Air has been a driving force in kiteboarding’s progression. With the
end of the King of the Air era, the question now is, “What’s next?”

2005 RED BULL KING OF THE AIR FINAL STANDINGS

1st - Rueben Lenten (Netherlands) - $4,500
2nd - Robby Naish (Maui, Hawaii) - $3,000
3rd - Clinton Bolton (South Africa) - $1,700
4th - Leeshai Miller (Israel)
5th - Marc Ramseier (Maui, Hawaii)
5th - Kevin Langeree (Netherlands)
7th - Greg Thijsse (South Africa)
7th - Jan Korycki (Poland)
9th - Aaron Hadlow (UK)
9th - Antoine Jaubert (Puerto Rico)
9th - Luciano Gonzales (Dominican Republic)
9th - Patri McLaughlin (Maui, Hawaii)
13th - Andy Hurdman (Florida)
13th - Sylvain Sadorge (Bora Bora)
13th - Damien Girardin (France)
13th - Shawn Richman (Maui, Hawaii)
17th - Andrea Lombardo (Italy)
17th - Jesse Richman (Maui, Hawaii)
17th - Garfield King (Maui, Hawaii)






17th - Daniel Nolasco (Italy)
17th - Charles Deleau (France)
17th - Adam Koch (Torrance, California)
17th - Ben Meyer (Maui, Hawaii)
17th - Abel Lago (Spain)

Women"s
1st - Susi Mai (Dominican Republic) - $1,750
2nd - Kristin Boese (Germany) - $900
3rd - Julie Simsar (Dominican Republic) - $600
4th - Jalou Langeree (Netherlands)
5th - Morgan Skiperdene (Hatteras, North Carolina)
5th - Angela Peral (Spain)

KINGS OF THE AIR

1999
King of the Air: Robby Naish (U.S.)
Queen of the Air: Anne Laure Pegon (France)

2000
King of the Air: Marcus “Flash” Austin (U.S.)
Queen of the Air: Julie Prochaska (U.S.)

2001
Event cancelled due to 9/11 tragedy.

2002
King of the Air: Mark Shinn (U.K.)
Queen of the Air: Sheldon Plentovich (U.S.)

2003
King of the Air: Charles Deleau (France)
Queen of the Air: Susi Mai (Dominican Republic)

2004
King of the Air: Tuterai Montaron (Bora-Bora)
Queen of the Air: Susi Mai (Dominican Republic)

2005
King of the Air: Ruben Lenten (Netherlands)
Queen of the Air: Susi Mai (Dominican Republic)

(of je hebt iets heel stouts gezegd, dat kan ook natuurlijk)