Lorenzo Casati
When did you start kiting?
During summer vacations I used to go windsurfing with my family. Then when I was 15, my windsurf instructor suggested we try this new sport, kitesurfing… and from then on I would do this sport, but only occasionally for the next 10 years.
Karlie Thoma
What inspired you to start kiting?
I didn’t know anything about kitesurfing, it was just my windsurfing teacher who introduced me to the sport. What inspired me was discovering something new.
Xavier Kain
Was there a specific event or decision in your career that you consider a turning point, significantly shaping the trajectory of your kiting journey?
The decision that put me on the map was my desire to take part in the King of the Air and to compete with the men. It was something new and it inspired people, and I think that is what’s most important in this world: to do things not just for yourself, but for everyone.
Nathalie Lambrecht
Describe your feelings when you saw your name on the KOTA list in 2020.
“Sh*t, they finally said yes!”
Cohan van Dijk
And how was it being the first woman in the KOTA competition?
I put a lot of pressure on myself, which I hadn’t foreseen, not because of my gender, but just the kind of pressure that any competitor can feel when taking part in an event for the first time. So I didn’t really enjoy that moment… It showed me the mental work I’d have to do afterwards to become a better version of myself… It’s a long journey…
Therese Taabbel
What is the aspect of CORE you like the most – what makes CORE special to you?
I’ve been with them since I started kitesurfing, and my skills in the sport have grown with them too… I hope that this has created a real bond. The quality of their kites is an incredible help to me. With the team we have, each of us is very different in his or her field, which makes for a unique family because it brings together very different styles.
Ben Beholz
Do you have any idols you get inspiration from?
What inspires me is the truth, so every genuine person inspires me…
Michaela Pilkenton
What is your strategy for learning a new trick? Do you just go full send and hope for the best?!
My strategy is to try to break it down into smaller parts and train in lighter winds, and then build up to nailing it in stronger wind.