1. First World Cup win. Has it sunk in yet?
Right now it still feels like a dream. Everything about it feels surreal. There have been so many ups and downs, and so much work behind the scenes over the past years, and now it all comes together. It's a very rewarding feeling.
2. What did your preparation for this comp look like? Anything different this time?
To be honest, I didn't feel prepared going into this event. But I think that's the reality of our sport. It never really feels like enough. Everyone is constantly progressing, constantly pushing.
After not being selected for King of the Air again, I decided to take a step back and rethink everything. Looking back, it was probably the perfect preparation, even though it didn't feel like it at the time. It wasn't something I could have planned. I just followed what felt right, knowing I needed to do something different to get a different result.
This time, instead of doing more, I asked myself: what do I actually need? I focused on the basics. Building strength, gaining weight to ride with more power, improving my endurance for long heats, and becoming more versatile on both sides. And just as important: enjoying it. So I stepped back a little. Less chasing, more intention. More gym, more control over what I can influence off the water.
But honestly, I struggled with that. There were moments where I felt like it wasn't enough, like I should be doing more, spending every second on the water.
In the end, my focus wasn't just on this event, but on the bigger picture. Feeling confident in any conditions and understanding how my body and mind perform together, and how to train with my hormone cycle. I think that really helped me stay calm and focused during this event.
3. Take us through the final from your perspective. What were the key moments?
Throughout the competition, I realized that riding with power and a good kite angle was being rewarded more than just technicality, which played in my favour.
The biggest challenge in the final was choosing the right kite size and being patient with the gusts. The wind was extremely inconsistent. You could go from a 9m to being fully powered on a 6m within minutes.
I started on a 7m Pivot Nvision, but by the time the final began, the wind had picked up so much that I couldn't hold my edge and messed up my first trick. I didn't want to waste time changing kites too early, so I focused on landing one solid trick to take the pressure off and give myself a bit more time to read the conditions. As the wind kept increasing, I switched to the 6m Pivot [Q] and of course, right after, it dropped again.
But at this spot, patience is everything. The gusts come out of nowhere, and when they hit, they hit hard.
Something most people didn't see, and that wasn't communicated on the livestream, was that we were allowed to wait for gusts, so the usual 40-second rule didn't apply. It made things pretty confusing for everyone, even the caddies. But at this spot, you have to stay flexible and adapt to whatever the conditions throw at you.
At some point, after my third attempt, the watches stopped showing scores, and from there on, we were just riding by feel.
In the end, I trusted the 6m Pivot [Q] and waited for the right moment. I went for a Contra Boogie, my highest-scoring trick, and even before takeoff I knew it was the gust. The kite sat high in the wind window, gave me a vertical lift, and I could send it low. That moment made the difference.
4. What setup did you ride in the comp (kite + board), and why did you choose it?
I rode the brand-new Alana, which is actually still unreleased. Spoiler! And my absolute favourite kite is my 6m Pivot proto that we adjusted to my liking for very strong and gusty conditions. I also had my 7m Pivot NVision and 5m Pivot Q ready at the beach. I'm also really stoked on the new Torque 3 bar and the most reliable quick release.
5. Can you describe the conditions at the spot. What made it challenging or special?
It's honestly hard to describe this spot. I still remember my first strong-wind session here, and it wasn't a good feeling. This place takes time. You have to learn how it works. The wind is incredibly dense. One gust can feel like magic, the next one like complete chaos. And the cold definitely adds to it.
But that's also what makes it so special. When it all comes together, these "magic gusts" can lift you up and carry you hundreds of metres downwind. Some of the best Big Air conditions you can imagine. The Tramontana really teaches you patience and kite control, because if you don't know how to slow things down, you'll learn it the hard way.
6. Now that you've taken a World Cup win, what are your goals for the rest of the season? What about KOTA?
My vision for this season is very clear. I'm continuing exactly where I left off. Gaining weight, getting stronger, and pushing for more height, power, and new tricks.
The season is packed with exciting projects, but first I'm heading to Egypt for technical flat-water training, preparing for the Battle of the World Champions in Greece this June. I've also been pre-selected for Red Bull Winds of Sinai in Egypt in October, which I'm really excited about, especially with the introduction of the first-ever female division. That feels very special to me because I competed there with the men last year, so this feels like a big step forward.
And ultimately, everything follows one clear plan. Not just to be selected for King of the Air and Megaloop, but to win them.
7. Who is the first person you shared your win with?
I knew my entire family was watching and there was a mutual understanding that we are all fricking excited but the first person I actually called was my teammanager from Brunotti. Kathelin has been a big part of my journey, especially going through ups and downs. She never stopped believing in me since day one and supported us in so many ways. It was very exciting to share this moment with her.
