Two-time Red Bull King of the Air champion converts kite into parachute for Friday’s impressive feat in UAE.
Two-time Red Bull King of the Air champion Andrea Principi set two world records on Friday when he completed the highest drop from a structure with a kite and the most “Around the World” loops with six from the top of Ain Dubai – the world’s tallest observation wheel at 250 metres. Here is all you need to know:
– Italian kitesurfer Principi, 21, has already carved out an impressive Big Air career thanks to his stunning 2023 and 2024 Red Bull King of the Air wins and two GKA Big Air World titles in 2022 and 2023.
– For this latest project, one of Italy’s most promising extreme sports athletes worked with Red Bull King of the Air Sportive Director and board sports legend Sergio Cantagalli to attempt two world records in Dubai from the imposing Ain Dubai structure that is the equivalent of 57 storeys high.
Andrea Principi seen during the Ain Dubai Kitesurf Drop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on February 27, 2026. // Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool //
– The idea for the drop came to Principi 18 months ago after he spotted a smaller observation wheel and, as soon as he arrived in the UAE and saw Ain Dubai, he knew that he had found the right place.
– To put the scale of the jump in perspective: in Big Air competition, a 15-metre jump is considered impressive, with elite competition-level sends exceeding 25-30 metres. Principi’s dramatic Ain Dubai drop was the equivalent of 10 top-tier Big Air jumps stacked on top of each other.
– Principi boarded the wheel at ground level, launching his 15-square-metre Duotone kite from the bottom cabin with drone assistance and a manual quick-release system. As the wheel ascended, he flew the kite alongside it – fighting light winds that left it barely airborne. Metre by metre, he nursed the kite upward, keeping it stable until he reached the top and 250 metres above the water.
– He stepped off the iconic Dubai landmark at 6:54am local time in 14-knot winds to touch down smoothly on the waters of the Persian Gulf off Jumeirah Beach Residence before riding away on his board.
Andrea Principi seen during the Ain Dubai Kitesurf Drop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on February 27, 2026. // Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool //
– The 58-second world-first descent also saw Principi execute six consecutive “Around the World” loops, a world first for the advanced kitesurfing manoeuvre.
– He said: “When I was at the top with my kite above my head and the board ready, I couldn’t believe it. I said to myself, ‘OK, it’s time – don’t think about it, go for it, jump’. I didn’t even look down. I just looked at the amazing city and flew into the water. The sun was red in front of me. I could see the whole city from up high. I have no words to explain the feeling – it’s too much.”
– At times, it looked like the project might not get off the ground. After three days of failed plans and sleepless nights – the team waking at 3am each morning – a breakthrough came on the final day.
– By chance, the cabin Principi dropped from was number 27, on February 27th – a detail he took as a sign. He added: “When I want to do something and I really have it in my mind, until I reach it, I’m not done. I could have stayed here another month. If it didn’t happen today, it would have happened eventually – I would never leave this city until I jumped. Now I feel a massive weight off me.”
Andrea Principi seen during the Ain Dubai Kitesurf Drop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on February 27, 2026. // Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool //
– Cantagalli declared: “We managed to do something we probably weren’t even expecting. We came up with an idea and it ended up working in a completely different way. Don’t ask me how it happened – we just made it. You have to consider that this equipment is not a parachute – it’s not made to fly. But Andrea knows his limits better than anyone else. Beyond his experience, his mindset was there. We spent day and night together trying to find a solution.”
– Principi, who grew up riding waves off the Tuscan coast, admitted: “I cannot live a normal life. I need to constantly push my limits.”
– What’s next? He revealed: “Something crazy that no one has done before.”
KEY FACTS
Performance
Airtime: 58 seconds
Wind conditions: 14 knots (30 km/h), NW direction (from ground)
Attempts: 3 days of testing, successful on first jump attempt
Preparation time: 18 months
Kite drop time: 6:54am GST, 27 February 2026
Tricks during descent: 6 consecutive “Around the World” loops (possible world first)
Venue
Name: Ain Dubai
Height: 250m (820 ft) – world’s tallest observation wheel (second is High Roller, Las Vegas, at 167m – 33% smaller)
Location: Bluewaters Island, Dubai
Operator: Dubai Holding Entertainment
Opened: October 2021
Capacity: 1,750+ visitors
Cabins: 48 (Principi dropped from Cabin 27)
Rotation time: ~38 minutes
Wheel speed: moves at “walking pace”
Equipment
Kite: Duotone D-lab Juice, 15m²
Bar: Duotone Trust Bar
Board: Duotone Team Series
Harness: Custom made-to-measure
Lines: 24m double-thick (custom)
Launch method: Drone-assisted with manual quick-release system
Content provided by Redbull, via Reuters Connect
