Overview
“The judges were unanimous that Lasse was the best one today. He went more vertical, horizontal and radical. On all criteria Lasse was the best one.”
The 2015 Red Bull Megaloop Challenge took place under extreme conditions, severe enough that the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute issued a dangerous weather warning. Driven by the unique rule that dictates the event is only greenlit when a massive storm hits, the long-awaited gale-force winds finally arrived.
Location and Conditions
The event was held at “The Spot in Zandvoort”. A fierce storm battered the venue with sustained southwesterly winds of 30 knots and gusts reaching up to 45 knots. Amidst this ferocious wind, the riders put on an extraordinary performance, launching up to 15 meters into the air and recording over 5 seconds of hang time while pulling massive megaloops.
Format and Participating Riders
The event utilized a one-trick format where the single highest and most radical megaloop determined the winner. At the time, the roster consisted almost entirely of Dutch riders. Finalists Lasse Walker, Kevin de Smidt, Willem van der Meij, and Linus Erdman were joined by other heavyweights like Steven Akkersdijk.
Highlights and Showdowns
At just 20 years old, Lasse Walker put on an overwhelming performance to claim the top spot.
“I knew when I got here today, that I was going to win. Nah, just kidding. But I was in great shape and knew that I have done everything in my power to compete for the title. That I won is a dream coming true… My next goal is to participate and win Red Bull King of the Air and off course to maintain this title.”
— Lasse Walker
On the other hand, a horrific crash by Steven Akkersdijk is also recorded from this event. During a megaloop, his kite stalled, leaving him with absolutely no catch to recover buoyancy. He was violently slammed into the ocean from a height of around 15 meters at an estimated speed of 90 km/h. This massive impact resulted in him being rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
Event Results
- 1st Place: Lasse Walker
- 2nd Place: Kevin de Smidt
- 3rd Place: Willem van der Meij
- 4th Place: Linus Erdman
Search Aliases: Red Bull Megaloop Challenge 2015, RedBullMegaloopChallenge2015