What an upset for all who were on the beach this afternoon in Sotavento, Fuerteventura while watching the men’s freestyle double elimination final heat between Australian rider Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) and Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED).
Langeree was dominating the final heat, but in an attempt to execute a blind judge in gusty, unpredictable 35-40 knots winds, he landed on the chop causing him to twist his knee out of position. Race director Erik Troostheide was quick to react when he seen Langeree waving his arm in the air, which clearly indicated that he was injured.
A jet ski watercraft was there in a few seconds to assist Langeree who had released himself from his kite. The jet ski attendant could not lift Langeree onto the watercraft therefore slowly towed him to the shore where medical personnel where eagerly waiting to assess the situation. Langeree was transported by truck to the medical facility on the beach where local physician, nurses as well as orthopedic doctor and fellow kiteboarding race competitor Hans Moeller assessed Langeree’s injured knee.
Langeree was carried back on to the beach where the podium was set in place for the freestyle double eliminations. While being held above the number two position Langeree announced with a upsetting crack in his voice, “this is the worst thing that could have ever happen to me. I hope the injury isn’t as bad as I think it is. I’m going to fly back home to Holland, heal and be back on the tour competing as soon as possible!” Fans cheered and clapped for Langeree’s good spirit, sportsmanship and charismatic charm. The exact extent of Langeree’s diagnosis in unclear at the present time but he is expected to have a full recovery.
Due to the upset in the men’s final, Andy Yates (Slingshot, AUS) takes first place in the double eliminations while Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) takes second. It is the second event title for Yates this tour season. Yates defeated Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP) due to his overall better execution of tricks in a 3/2 judges decision. Pastor takes third place in the double elimination.