RED BULL KING OF THE AIR 2025
SECOND PLACE FOR MEGALOOP CHAMPION ZARA HOOGENRAAD
For many riders and fans, it’s the highlight of the season: the Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town. Over three wind-filled days, the world’s best big-air athletes went head-to-head for the crown. Among them: three CORE team riders - all powered by the brand-new XR Pro 2 and ready to prove why they belong on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Megaloop Champion Zara Hoogenraad, multi-time KOTA competitor Giel Vlugt, and next-gen talent Shahar Tsabary.
Zara Hoogenraad was one of the six women in the fleet - and delivered from her very first heat. In the semifinal, she took down last year’s champion Francesca Maini, securing her spot in the final. There she put down another strong performance and claimed a well-deserved 2nd place.
For 17-year-old newcomer Shahar Tsabary, it was his first-ever KOTA appearance — and he couldn’t have made a bigger statement. Calm, controlled and technically sharp, he pushed confidently through the early rounds and only bowed out in Round 3 against eventual winner Lorenzo Casati. A debut that shows exactly why Shahar is one to watch.
Giel Vlugt, the most experienced of the three, opened the event with a solid Round 1 and earned a direct pass into Round 3. Changing conditions made it tough to unleash his full power, ending his run earlier than expected. But his event didn’t stop there: Giel immediately switched roles and stood by his partner and teammate Zara as her caddy, supporting her through both remaining heats and all the way into the final — a moment of pure teamwork that embodies the CORE spirit.
Photos: Marko Haas
Links
- Productpage XR Pro 2
- CORE retailer
- Media Access can be requested at marketing (at) ridecore.com
Engeneering water sports equipment for over 20 years
Over 20 years CORE has earned a reputation for providing the highest standards of quality and performance in watersports products. Based at one of Europe's watersports hotspots – the island of Fehmarn in Germany – CORE finds perfect conditions to test and develop gear right on their doorstep, before products are put through their final test in the hands of the international pro team at the most demanding spots in the world. A variety of exclusive materials and elaborate production processes ensure a special riding experience reserved only for CORE customers.