Kevin Langeree has suffered an injury while training for the 2017 Red Bull King of the Air.
One week before the start of the most important big air kiteboarding competition in the world, the Dutch broke his ankle trying to land a kite loop in Cape Town, South Africa.
"There's a small fracture in my ankle, and I have to use a pair of crutches. It is going to take some time to heal, and I'm not sure if I'll be ready for King of the Air," explained Langeree.
"But I'll keep my hopes high. I'll hope for the best. I'll take a lot of rest, keep my leg iced. The wind was blowing between 30 and 35 knots. I did the kite loop, concentrated on the landing, and then crashed."
The waiting period for the 2017 Red Bull King of the Air opens on the 21st and closes on the 5th February. The event will get underway on the windiest day and will feature 18 riders.
The big air kite contest is set for Big Bay Beach, and the athletes will perform their best tricks with the iconic Table Mountain as a backdrop.
The extreme kiteboarding event was held for the first time in 2000. Aaron Hadlow (2016, 2015) Kevin Langeree (2014), Jesse Richman (2013), and Ruben Lenten (2005) were some of the riders who have already raised the trophy.
2017 Red Bull King of the Air | Riders List
Aaron Hadlow (UK)
Graham Howes (RSA)
Kevin Langeree (NL)
Reno Romeu (BRA)
Lasse Walker (NL)
Andries Fourie (RSA)
Stuart Downey (RSA)
Lewis Crathern (UK)
Jerrie van de Kop (NL)
Tom Hebert (FRA)
Williem van der Meij (NL)
Gijs Wassenaar (NL)
Ruben Lenten (NL)
Nick Jacobsen (DK)
Steven Akkersdiik (NL)
Oswald Smith (RSA)
Petreau Aurelien (FRA)
Ryan Siegelberg (RSA)