Latest news with #BigAir
Observer
16-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Excitement in the air as Oman Kite Festival kicks off in Bar Al Hikman
The skies above Bar al Hikman came alive on Tuesday with colour and movement as the Oman Kite Festival was officially launched, ushering in a high-energy, coast-to-coast celebration of sport, sustainability, and community. Kicking off the festival, Dr Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO of Omran Group, welcomed athletes, spectators, and community members to the opening ceremony, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most dynamic watersport events Oman has hosted. Organised by Oman Sail and proudly supported by Omran Group, the 10-day festival (July 14–24) brings together a diverse lineup of international and local kitesurfers, who will compete in a series of races and freestyle showcases spanning Oman's eastern coastline—from Bar Al Hikman and Al Ashkharah to Masirah Island and Ras Al Hadd. 'There's been a lot of excitement leading up to this,' said Firas Asqul, Project Manager at Oman Sail. 'From studying the market, we felt it was the right time to host a large-scale, public-facing event. We're thrilled to see it finally take off.' The event schedule includes competitive highlights such as the Kite Course Race at Bar Al-Hikman (July 15), the adrenaline-pumping multi-stage Downwinder Race (July 16, 20, 21), Big Air and Freestyle Shows on Masirah Island (July 17–18), a Coastal Race in Ras Masirah (July 19), and the grand finale Slalom Race at Ras Al Hadd Lake on July 24. For Omani participant Khalfan Al Athubi, a sailing skipper who has been kitesurfing for four years, the challenge goes far beyond competition. 'I've always wanted to try a downwinder. I've never done long distance before—not even in training—so I'm really excited. Hopefully I can go far with it.' In addition to sporting excitement, the festival also showcases Oman's commitment to sustainability, tourism, and youth engagement in line with Oman Vision 2040. Community beach clean-ups, a small business exhibition at Al Ashkharah Park, and artisan markets give the event a cultural and environmental dimension—connecting sport to purpose. Senior leaders from Omran and Oman Sail, including CEO Dr. Khamis Al Jabri of Oman Sail and Johanna Ilic from Omran, were present at the opening to show their support. Their remarks emphasised the national importance of the festival as a platform for showcasing Oman's stunning coastal landscapes, supporting local talent, and drawing international attention to the country's growing watersports scene.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Double Olympic champion rushed to hospital after suffering freak injury
Snowboarding champ Anna Gasser hopes to make a full recovery after her arm was ripped from socket following shock fall on surfboard at Munich artificial wave pool Double Olympic snowboard champion Anna Gasser was rushed to hospital after a freak wave pool injury that saw her arm ripped from a shoulder socket. Gasser, 33, has been aiming to defend her crown at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina early next year before retiring. But she is now facing a spell of recuperation after immediately undergoing surgery. Gasser was surfing in an artificial wave pool in Munich when she fell off her board and suffered the horror injury. She has cancelled a training camp in Australia but confirmed her surgery was a success and hopes to make a full recovery in time for the Games, which take place in northern Italy from February 6 to 22. READ MORE: Welcome to Ekiden: UK's most-gruelling race as Olympic stars beaten and winners disqualified Gasser said: 'Crazy how everything can change in a second. Had a freak accident surfing and dislocated my shoulder. Decided to fix it right away to be 100 per cent again for next season. 'Sad that my summer plans changed and that I'm forced to watch from the sidelines for now. But I'll try to make the best out of it and come back strong.' In addition to winning gold at Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022, Gasser has won Big Air world titles at Sierra Nevada in 2017 and Bakuriani 2023. She was also a promising gymnast and part of the Austrian national team until she quit aged 15. Gasser later added in a statement: 'The examinations showed that the shoulder was briefly dislocated. The labrum and biceps tendon were affected. 'The surgery restored the necessary stability in the shoulder. Even though it isn't easy for me, I will have to be patient for now. 'After that, I will concentrate on training and compete in selected World Cup competitions so that I can travel to the Olympic games in Italy optimally prepared.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Web Release
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
The C Kite Festival Returns for its 4th Edition on the East Coast of Mauritius
From 26 to 30 June 2025, C Resorts will host the fourth edition of the C Kite Festival on the shores of C Mauritius, Palmar. This much-anticipated event blends the excitement of kiteboarding with the dynamic energy of Mauritian culture, offering a vibrant mix of sport, music, flavors and wellness in a setting that celebrates freedom and island spirit. Curated by C Resorts and supported by world champion Antoine Auriol, the festival brings together an exceptional lineup of riders from across the globe, each with their own distinctive style and speciality. From powerful Big Air to technical freestyle, the diversity of the sport will be on full display with talents such as Gisela Pulido, Hannah Whiteley, Julia Castro, Tom Court, Val Garat and Louka Pitot – professional Mauritian kitesurfer and C Resorts brand ambassador. More than a showcase of athletic excellence, the C Kite Festival fosters authentic connection between professionals and passionate amateurs through open competitions such as Best Trick and Big Air, judged by the pros themselves. A highlight of the programme is the collective downwind ride, where all levels come together to ride side by side, celebrating the shared joy of gliding across the turquoise lagoon. Several pro demo sessions will complete the experience, offering spectators a close-up view of world-class performance. As much a cultural gathering as a sporting event, the C Kite Festival also highlights the richness of international exchange through music, wellness and food vibes. The festival welcomes artists and performers from around the globe, creating a space where global influences meet local creativity. From Mauritian singers Jesska and Zulu to DJ SamSax from the UK, and flair bartender Andrei Borisik from Germany, each guest brings their unique rhythm, flavour or energy to the island. Culinary moments will be led by Chef Lorenzo Sirabella from Italy, whose bold, sun-inspired cuisine will be served beachside in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. A strong wellness programme runs alongside the core events, with fitness sessions led by regional personality Naila Mall, and sunrise and sunset yoga guided by local teacher Eve Isambourg, inviting guests to connect with the natural rhythm of the island. Open to guests staying at C Mauritius and to external participants via advance registration, the C Kite Festival is more than an event — it is a celebration of movement, culture, and community, where every wave, every beat, and every shared moment becomes part of a larger, free-spirited story. For full programme details:
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
‘I knew I'd come back no matter what': Freestyle skier Kirsty Muir charts her return to the top
Kirsty Muir was in the form of her life when the ground was ripped from under her feet. The talented Scottish freestyle skier, who competes in the slopestyle and Big Air disciplines, secured two World Cup podiums in the first half of the 2023-24 season and was on course for a best-ever campaign. One of those podiums was in the Big Air in Copper Mountain, US in December 2023. She picked up bronze – but the 19-year-old was also troubled by a niggle in her knee. On her return home, an MRI revealed she had in fact ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and sustained meniscus damage. Over a year on the sidelines, including surgery on both the knee and an existing shoulder injury, followed. Her return to action this January was 'emotional', the Aberdeen native tells The Independent, but it was almost as if she had never left, as she qualified for both finals in her first competition back, in Aspen, Colorado. 'Luckily when you're skiing you have goggles so no-one could see I was crying a little bit when I first got back!' she says. 'But it was all from happiness. I was over the moon, quite overwhelmed. 'There were so many different aspects: I hadn't seen my friends in a long time, I hadn't had the adrenaline and the nerves of a comp. Even just comp training is stressful so I had a lot going on in my brain.' But having spent 14 months out of action, neither she nor her team put pressure on her return, and she says the season has '100%' exceeded her expectations. 'Mostly it was just seeing how I'd get on,' she says of her approach to this campaign. 'We obviously knew that this year was the Olympic qualification year so that was one thing on our checklist, trying to get the results to put towards that. 'At that point when [the ACL tear] happened I really did feel like it was the best I'd ever been at. It was a shock to the system for sure. So to come back, and to have got a few [events under her belt], it does make it all feel worth it.' Just two months into her comeback she hit another milestone, notching a first-ever World Cup win with slopestyle gold in Tignes, France. Victory was a 'confidence boost,' but she adds that more importantly, 'You can always have doubts during a rehab that you won't come back as strong, so that eliminated all the doubts. I really did feel like I was properly back and ready to fight at the competitions again.' She set the score to beat in qualifying, and by the time she was in the start gate for her second run – as the last athlete to go – she already knew she had won. 'It was a crazy feeling, I hugged my physio and coach at the top, and got to do a victory lap, which you don't get to do very often! It was unreal, I had the biggest smile on my face.' She adds that while the business end of the competition went well, it required a pep talk from Freeski head coach Jamie Matthew to put her in the right frame of mind to make it to the finals. 'I had the most terrible training ever [before qualification], I hadn't even put a run down that I wanted,' she recollects. 'You only get 45 minutes to an hour and that's maybe four, five, six runs, and that's not much to warm up. I got into the gate [for qualifying] and was really nervous and Jamie was like, 'you don't need to be, if you don't get a run down, it's whatever'. 'He managed to reset me a little bit. It felt like it all came together and I really wasn't thinking too much, which was the best scenario!' Even aged 20 Muir is a seasoned competitor, winning three elite national titles at 13 and going to the 2022 Winter Olympics as GB's youngest athlete, at 17, which she described as a 'surreal' experience. Muir qualified for both the slopestyle and Big Air finals, finishing eighth and fifth respectively, and has high hopes of a podium finish this year. 'I'm excited because I feel like I'll really get the Olympic experience this time,' she says. 'I think it'll feel completely different, but I'll also have a bit of experience from the last one as well.' Muir made her debut on the World Cup circuit aged 15 and recalls, 'I was quite nervous and timid, so I kind of kept to myself. Around the [Beijing] Olympics and just after I came out of my shell a bit. 'I feel like I always used to be so in my own bubble, I was so stressed. I didn't hate it but I didn't enjoy the comps as much as I could have. I'm not just skiing to compete, I'm skiing to have a good time and do what I really want to do. 'So I'm trying to get a good balance between having pressure on myself and being a competitor, because I very much am hard on myself when I'm competing, but also trying to take it chill and enjoy it, because I feel like when I'm more focused on the slope then I ski better.' Muir adds that the adversity she experienced in her long spell on the sidelines has also helped her come back stronger. Her ACL injury was different from that of many athletes, who hear the tell-tale popping sound and instantly realise what's happened. She only discovered the extent of the issue because she already had an MRI booked for her existing shoulder problem. 'You hear about the sound that it makes and they're immediately in agony, but for me, it's like it could have happened at any point, or it could have happened gradually over time, just with the impact of our sport,' the 20-year-old says. 'We do a lot of gym work and we kind of put [the fact that it initially went unnoticed] down to my muscles being able to compensate for it. I went home and got the MRI just in case, but if I hadn't, I would have continued the season, having done all the gym work. 'It was definitely difficult to have the double rehab. Your body uses so much energy to heal something and because it was split, I feel like it took a bit longer to heal than it could have.' Muir tried to 'find who I am outside of skiing' during her long rehab process and appreciate the rare downtime she was offered. She found she loved mountain biking, which had the added bonus of aiding with her return to skiing. 'I could get on the bike way sooner than I could get on skis, and it kind of replicated the flow and feeling you get on skis with the mountain bike jumps. That's something I still do now every time I'm home.' The road back to full fitness took its toll, but she never questioned her future in the sport. 'There were never points when I was like, I'm not going to go back to skiing, but you always think, 'will my knee be strong enough, will I feel back to normal', all these things. Because during the rehab it does feel weird – it doesn't even feel like your knee sometimes. 'But I always knew I'd be coming back to skiing no matter what, because that's the thing I love the most. The feeling of missing skiing spurs you on to keep pushing back to it. If you didn't love the sport you wouldn't have the motivation to get through it.'
CBC
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Norwegian snowboarder goes orbital to land historic quad flip in Swiss Alps stunner
Norwegian snowboarder Oyvind Kirkhus made history over the last week at Switzerland's Swatch Nines by landing the world's first switch backside quad 1620, a gravity-defying manoeuvre that left even its creator in disbelief. "I was in disbelief when I was riding away. I didn't think that I would actually manage to do it, but I did it," said Kirkhus, who completed the mind-bending trick against the stunning backdrop of the Schilthorn mountains. For the uninitiated, Kirkhus helpfully translated the snowboarding jargon: "I'm going into the jump switch, my unnatural direction, and spinning backside. And then I do four flips in the air and then land regular again." The 17th edition of the event transformed the Swiss slopes into a playground of ramps, rails and tunnels where elite riders pushed the boundaries of what's possible on snow. New Zealand's Luca Harrington delivered one of just three-ever switch triple cork 1980 Escos by a skier on the purpose-built Big Air jump. "This jump that the Swatch Nines has provided for us has been absolutely incredible," Harrington said. "We've seen multiple world's firsts, triples, quads, so many things being put down." Britain's Kirsty Muir claimed the best female skier trick award with a backflip onto a rail, and credited the event's supportive atmosphere for inspiring bold performances.
