#42 Mikaili Sol on 9 Titles, Injury, and the Evolution of Women's Big Air.

James Carew just added a 5th GKA World Title to the collection in Sylt, Germany. We caught up with James after the event to talk about the win, his mindset, overcoming adversity, his approach to competition and what comes next. www.duotonesports.com

Mikaili Sol reflects on an extraordinary season that delivered her ninth GKA World Championship title. After stepping away from the tour, she returned to reclaim the Big Air crown with a dominant win in Mykonos to bring her tally to nine world titles overall. We dive into her preparation for this season and how she dealt with injury during the off season. We also explore how women's Big Air has evolved over the years she's been on tour, and what it means to still be pushing at the top of the sport almost a decade after her first world title.

From dominating the Freestyle tour at a young age to stepping onto the Olympic stage in kite foiling, Gisela Pulido’s journey is one of constant evolution. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to stay at the top of the sport for over a decade, the drive, the sacrifices, and the moments of doubt that come with it. Gisela opens up about her transition from Freestyle to Olympic racing, the mental and physical challenges behind that shift, and what it means to now return to her roots, with a fresh perspective on Freestyle and even Big Air. We talk about the changes in the sport, staying relevant over time, and what continues to push her forward. Looking ahead, Gisela shares insights into her plans for 2026, upcoming competitions, and new projects beyond the contest scene. A conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the mindset of a true Champion. https://www.instagram.com/giselapulido/ https://www.duotonesports.com/en/kiteboarding

We sat down with newly crowned 2025 World Champion Pedro Matos of Brazil to hear his reflections on finally achieving his lifelong dream — and doing it on home soil, surrounded by his family and an electrifying local crowd. Pedro opens up about the gear that powers his competitive riding, from his preferred kites to the boards he trusts most in high-pressure heats. He also gives us a rare look behind the scenes, sharing what it truly takes to reach the top: specialized training, tailored nutrition, and dedicated mental-performance coaching. This is the full story of what it means — and what it costs — to become a world champion.

Reigning King of the Air champion Andrea Principi and returning contender Pippa van Iersel join former KOTA athlete Lewis Crathern to discuss everything that goes into preparing for the most prestigious big air kiteboarding event in the world.

In just over a decade, WOO sports has redefined the way we measure our sessions out on the water. From the very early conception of the device to the day to day running of WOO Sports we discuss how the brand has developed, what it means to be part of the Boards and More group and where WOO is heading. Leo lets us in on all the science and technology that goes into measuring jumps with the WOO sensor. With over 125 Million kite jumps logged, its incredible to learn just how much has been put into establishing a level playing field worldwide. The WOO Worlds now in it’s 5th year which see’s the wing and kite communities join together throughout the world in a 30 day intense event with many different disciplines. With over 100,000$ in prizes the event is supported by many of the key players in the kiteboarding industry. What does it take to mange such a huge event like this? How has the event developed? Did you ever imagine so much participation? All questions put to the guys in the know at WOO Sports.

In this special episode, we sit down with big-air kiteboarder Lasse Walker to unpack one of the most daring stunts ever attempted in the sport: jumping over a moving airplane while kiteboarding in Cape Town. A feat over two years in the making, Lasse walks us through the origins of the idea, the intense preparation behind it, and what it took to perfectly synchronize with Red Bull Air Race pilot Łukasz Czepiela. From near-zero margins for error to the moment his board touched back down, this is an inside look at a groundbreaking moment in both kiteboarding and aviation.

Around 703 million people across the globe still live without access to clean and safe drinking water — a basic human necessity. Viva con Agua is on a mission to change that. Carolin Stuedemann CEO @ Viva Con Aqua explains how the charity engages communities through joyful activities such as Art, Music, Sport to raise awareness. Water is life. Clean drinking water improves and protects people’s health, gives children the possibility of attending school permanently, empowers women, strengthens the local economy and allows for a better future. However, many people worldwide do not have assured access to this precious commodity. With over 162,000 followers and worldwide projects in South Africa, India, and Europe Viva Con Agua is achieving global attention. The collaboration between Boards & More and Viva Con Agua began at the renowned ‘Kite Masters’ event in St. Peter-Ording, Germany — a partnership with a truly inspiring origin story. Carolin emphasizes the importance of partnering the charity with organizations that share the same values on sustainability and environmental initiatives. Carolin’s seven-year journey as CEO of the charity coincides with her seven years as a kiteboarder — a parallel that naturally leads us into a conversation about our shared passion for kiteboarding and its deep connection to water www.duotonesports.com, www.instagram.com/vivaconagua/, https://www.kitesurf-masters.de/, https://www.boardsandmore.com/en

In this episode we’re looking at the career of Sky Solbach, from competitive team rider to surfboard shaper and kite designer. Get some insights in how it is to create kites, ride your own kites the first time, how to develop as a team of three designers and testing teamriders. History about Sky Solbach. Insights from rider to kite designer. Information about with who Sky is testing with.

Mikaili Sol and Andrea principi reflect on winning the 2025 Lords of Tram event in Le Barcarès, France. The event has been described as the windiest competition in kiteboarding history with gusts up to 70 knots. Athletes from around the world were tested to the limit to perform extreme moves over 30 meters up in the air. Winning the event Mikaili Sol has become 8X World Champion whilst Andrea now has 3X LOT titles under his name. We discuss together what it takes to become such dominant riders in the sport and what is required away from the water to be 100% prepared. Pressure? What pressure! Both athletes reveal how feeling pressure is a choice and something they do not feel. Rather focusing on being in the moment and concentrating on what moves they are capable of being their secret weapon to success. Living together has helped the duo develop as athletes. By kiting and training on and off the water in Tarifa, they have learned a lot from each other and from the wonderful town in the south of Spain so famous for windsports. We talk about their close relationship to the Duotone R&D team which has resulted in an incredible 10X World Championships between them and an extensive list of individual major event titles around the world.