Overview
“It’s great in Cold Hawaii. I love it and it’s good to be back in the first place again. The conditions were all time. We started in the morning with pouring rain and weak wind but by the end of the day, the conditions were fine. It makes me happy to be in the final with my two best friends.”
The Cold Hawaii Games 2020 established itself as a historic inaugural event and the “third major tournament” in big air kiteboarding. Held amidst pandemic cancellations that grounded events worldwide, it miraculously took place as a real-world competition. The winner was granted a golden wildcard ticket and a flight to the prestigious Red Bull King of the Air (KOTA) 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa, drawing world-class superstars and rising talents.
Location and Conditions
The event was held in Klitmøller, a small picturesque fishing village on the west coast of Denmark. Known for its beautiful reef, excellent waves, and powerful winds akin to Cape Town, the spot earned the moniker “Cold Hawaii” because it offers Hawaii-like waves and wind but is “freaking cold.”
Initially forecasted as a 40-knot storm with 2.5-meter waves, the morning started with pouring rain and weaker 20-knot winds. Fortunately, the wind picked up to a consistent 30 knots, gusting into the mid-30s during the day. By the time the final heat commenced, the conditions became highly tricky, featuring unstable southwesterly winds with short-period gusts around 20 to 25 knots.
Format and Riders
This 2020 edition marked the first year kiteboarding was included in the Cold Hawaii Games. Fronted by Nick Jacobsen, the concept involved inviting a few absolute superstar legends and mixing them with promising “new kids” to give the younger generation valuable big-stage experience.
The format consisted of four rounds, where Round 1 winners skipped Round 2 and advanced directly to Round 3. The judging criteria were strictly set to 70% height and 30% extremity. The elite roster included Kevin Langeree, Nick Jacobsen, Lasse Walker, Stig Hoefnagel, Steven Akkersdijk, Clement Huot, Simon Bruhn, and Jamie Overbeek. Unfortunately, highly anticipated rider Tom Bridge had to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained just a minute before his heat during warm-up.
Highlights and Drama
The event was packed with intense drama and shifting dynamics. Setting the tone for the entire competition was 15-year-old prodigy Jamie Overbeek. Competing in the very first heat, he delivered unbelievable height and massive mega loops, forcing the entire fleet and the judges to elevate their standards right from the start.
Rising star Simon Bruhn also made headlines by defeating local hero Nick Jacobsen with strategic riding. Reflecting on the loss, Nick Jacobsen stated:
“I don’t know what happened. The wind was tricky, and I would like to have a 10 rather than mine 9’er, but this is a part of the game. You lose some and you win some.”
— Nick Jacobsen
For Stig Hoefnagel, the event became a career-defining Cinderella story. He gambled on leaving a guaranteed magazine cover photoshoot in Brazil for the uncertain Danish winds. Initially underestimating the event, he realized its magnitude upon seeing the legendary lineup on the beach. Pushing his limits, he secured a 3rd place podium finish, which served as a massive springboard for his professional career.
The grand finale featured three Dutchmen: Kevin Langeree, Lasse Walker, and Stig Hoefnagel. While Lasse Walker and Stig Hoefnagel executed incredibly low kite loops and board-offs, Kevin Langeree dominated the heat. Riding his newly launched and previously untested “Reedin Supermodel” kite, Kevin displayed unmatched height, complete control, and consistency, claiming the title and the Red Bull King of the Air 2021 wildcard ticket.
Behind the scenes, the riders’ camaraderie shone through. A memorable moment of “bromance” was shared when Lasse Walker joked about becoming Kevin Langeree’s caddy for the upcoming video projects:
“I thought Kevin wouldn’t let me win, because we had to do the entry video for King of the Earth together. And now I’m stuck here, but I can help you edit. I can help you film and edit. You’ll be his caddy. Yeah, I’ll be your caddy.”
— Lasse Walker & Kevin Langeree
Show detailed competition results (Spoiler Alert)
1st: Kevin Langeree (29.63)
2nd: Lasse Walker (26.07)
3rd: Stig Hoefnagel (25.40)
Search Aliases: 2020 Cold Hawaii Games, 2020ColdHawaiiGames