If you haven't heard brushed up on your Norse mythology recently, Ragnarok is the final battle between good and evil gods where only the strongest survive.  The Redbull Ragnarok is the exact same thing, except for the fact that there is no end of the world that results from the finish.  Also, this is more snowkite centric.  200 riders from across the world will race induro styles for 3 hours!  6 rounds of about 30 minutes that cover up to 20 kilometers.  Those that make it to the end get to keep their lives win the race.

Check the video below to see the snowkite battle occur in Haugastøl, Norway.

[video:http://vimeo.com/11159412 650x400]

So this is a cut from riding in the DR at the beginning of 2010. Having built a rail at a local flat water spot, i spent a few weeks just chilling and riding it with Aaron, Dre and Susi. This is some of the footage of me that Susi filmed from the trip. Thanks to Red Bull for making the rail project happen!

~Tom Court

[video:http://www.vimeo.com/10696741 650x400]

Why isn't kiteboarding this easy for any of us?  All I know is that I'm in Brazil and the video looks almost exactly the same as what I am experiencing down here day to day...with the small exception that my riding does not have any component of the steeze that Hadlow is pushing in this video.  The push for style in comp is definitely a positive direction for the sport and makes this sport more badass.  Stylish freestyle is what made skiing cool again.  Stylish kiteboarding is what is making this sport develop into something even cooler.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GMOluByEv0 650x400] 

Here's some late footage of the slick action on June 1st, 2009 (told ya, wasn't kidding) at Real Kiteboarding's slick.  Everyone was sessioning on 7m and 9m kites and looked like they were having a good time with the strong crew of riders.  Spot the local Canadian rider if you can...

[video:http://vimeo.com/6389620 650x350] 

From the REAL Kiteboarding website:

Part of this year’s Triple-S Invitational was the expansion of the “Wild Card” entry opportunities to 3 positions. This will allow for new talent to make it into the Triple-S Invitational each year through this competitive wild card entry process. Over 20 Wild Card entries were received, of which the Triple-S Event Committee had to make the tough decision of narrowing the field down to only 3 wild card riders to compete in the Triple-S Invitational. All of the videos featured a very high level of riding, in flatwater, on the rails, in the snow, and in the surf, from an international pool of kiteboarders spanning the globe. Just the wildcard entries themselves could be put together to form a world-class event or action DVD ! The riding ability and variety was truly spectacular !

After over 4 hours of viewing all the videos, the diversified panel of 7 judges unanimously voted in Sam Medysky, Ian Alldredge, and Petter Johnson to fill the three wildcard positions for the 2009 Triple-S Invitational. These riders, along with 21 others, will travel to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and re-define once again what is possible for the sport of kiteboarding.

Click below to watch the wildcard videos:

The thechickenloop.com recognizes that the force is strong this year!

The Triple-S Invitational will take place in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina May 30 – June 5th looks to have a sick lineup of invited athletes!

This year 3 wildcard spots will be given given to the best 3 rider videos submitted.  With Aaron Hadlow taking the event by storm last year, these extra spots should make it an exciting event.

Click below to see the videos