Overview
Leonardo Casati, born on June 10, 2009, in Como, Italy, is a professional kiteboarder holding both Italian and Spanish citizenship. Based in Tenerife, Canary Islands, he is the younger brother of Lorenzo Casati, a two-time Red Bull King of the Air champion. Leonardo is known as a multi-talented young rider who performs at a high level across various disciplines, including Twin-Tip Big Air, Kitesurf (strapless), and Hydrofoil. Alongside formidable rivals of his generation like Finn Flügel, he is leading the next era of the Big Air scene.
Career
“I competed against my brother in round one, and now to meet him again in the final… it’s just the best feeling ever.”
— Leonardo Casati
Chasing the footsteps of his great brother, Leonardo spent a long time in the shadow of being “Lorenzo’s younger brother.” They train and compete under the meticulous tactics of their father, Renato Casati, known as the “Casati Method.” Crowned U14 Freestyle Junior World Champion at age nine and already recording 25-meter jumps by age ten, he stood out from early childhood, capturing four Junior World Championship titles in total. In 2025, after claiming 3rd place at Lords of Tram just 0.3 points behind his brother, he made his Red Bull King of the Air debut at age 16 as the youngest finalist in event history, finishing runner-up to Lorenzo in the first-ever sibling final.
A dramatic turn of events awaited at the 2026 GKA Big Air Kite World Championship. For Leonardo to secure his first world title, he needed to win the event himself, and his rival Jamie Overbeek had to finish third or lower. The final featured Jamie, Shahar Tsabari, and his brother Lorenzo. At this point, Lorenzo, the defending 2025 champion who was already out of contention for the title, was rumored by some to have employed team tactics, deliberately suppressing his scoring risks to support his brother’s world title bid. As a result, Leonardo showcased calm and honed riding to become the 2026 World Champion. However, coupled with the circumstances of past events, some questioned whether he had truly earned the title on his own merits.
However, at the Cold Hawaii Big Air 2026 later that year, he perfectly proved that he is a true champion. Clashing again with his brother Lorenzo in the final, Leonardo faced a make-or-break attempt with 25 seconds left on the clock and the scores tied. Just moments before, Lorenzo had crashed on a trick attempt, giving Leonardo a rock-solid situation where “even if he took a risk and failed, he wouldn’t lose.” Given this, he chose to go all-in on a “Zack Attack”—an incredibly difficult trick where the board is thrown in the air. Successfully landing this massive trick under extreme pressure to snatch the victory, his extraordinary nerve and calm strategic eye were more than enough to completely dispel the surrounding doubts. It was a moving conclusion in which he cast off the yoke of being “Lorenzo’s younger brother,” surpassed the absolute champion with whom he shares blood, and claimed the true throne in his own name.
Sponsors & Affiliated Brands
Alongside his brother Lorenzo, he moved from Duotone and Cabrinha to join Harlem Kitesurfing as a team rider in November 2023. Harlem is a brand that values familial bonds and has built a very strong relationship with the Casati family, who operate as a family unit. Armed with the innovative “Harlem Force” and the 5-strut Big Air weapon “Harlem Peak”—designed by Ralf Grösel and Aaron Hadlow—he captured the 2026 World Championship and Cold Hawaii titles.
In addition to receiving board support from Lieuwe Boards (twin-tip) and Appletree Surfboards (surf and foil), as well as wetsuit and harness support from Mystic, he and his brother Lorenzo are also sponsored by jump-tracking pioneer WOO (WOO Sports) and trading platform Capital.com.
Personality & Relationships
Based in El Medano, Tenerife, he grew up watching the formidable backs of world top riders right up close—not just his brother Lorenzo, but also Andrea Principi and Jeremy Burlando. By rubbing shoulders and pushing each other in this pinnacle environment, his skills were rapidly elevated. He possesses an unparalleled strong heart, able to make calm decisions without ever losing his cool, even in high-pressure situations. Particularly in next-generation board-off variations such as board spins, tic-tacs, and osmosis, as well as strapless tricks, he is often regarded as even more technical than his brother Lorenzo. Immediately after defeating his brother head-to-head to win Cold Hawaii 2026, he declared himself “The Trap Killer” (the hunter), steadily forging his own distinct identity.
Quotes & Episodes
“I still can’t believe it, but this isn’t the end. We still have one more event to win.”
— Leonardo Casati
He has a hungry spirit that keeps him looking toward the next goal, never satisfied even immediately after a victory.
Competition Results
- Junior World Champion (4x titles across U14 Freestyle, U19 Kitesurf, etc.)
- 2025 Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup – 3rd Place
- 2025 Red Bull King of the Air – 2nd Place (Youngest finalist in event history at age 16)
Show Latest Results (Spoiler Alert)
- 2026 Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup – 3rd Place
- 2026 GKA Big Air Kite World Championship – 1st Place (World Champion)
- 2026 Cold Hawaii Big Air – 1st Place
- 2026 GKA Big Air Mykonos – 1st Place
Search Aliases: Leonardo Casati, LeonardoCasati