Epic Tramontana winds forecast for GKA Big Air finale to crown world champions in France
Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup France
29 March—27 April, 2025 | Le Barcarès
With an epic wind forecast for the coming days for the Lords of Tram GKA Big Air World Cup, organisers have called a “Yellow” light signalling the contest could start in 72 hours on the first day of the month-long holding period.
If the prediction for the conditions holds steady the status will be changed to a “Green” light indicating, as seems probable, that the battles among the 24 men and 12 women will be begin in Barcarès, France, on Saturday, 29 March.
The north-westerly Tramontana winds that sweep down from the snow-capped Pyrenees to blow offshore over the storied lagoon of Barcarès have been cranking in recent days and leading athletes like top seed, France’s Edgar Ulrich, and Sweden’s Nathalie Lambrecht have been getting the conditions dialled.
Ulrich leads the pack of seven French athletes after winning the opening stop of the 2025 GKA Big Air season in Brazil last November and is in pole position to take the title in Barcarès as Lords of Tram will decide the world championship title races.
Resurgent Mika Sol
But Spain’s Lorenzo Casati, the former Red Bull King of the Air (Kota) winner, was second in Brazil and has the French favourite firmly in his sights. Casati knows he just needs to overhaul Ulrich to take the title, one of the Spaniard’s big goals for the year.
Another Spaniard, Jeremy Burlando, won the Big Air world title last year. But he fractured his fibula in training days before the Brazil season opener and was forced to pull out. He remains an injury doubtful for Lords of Tram.
In the women’s competition a resurgent Mikaili Sol (BRA) won in Brazil and looks strong, though world champion Zara Hoogenraad (NED) is seeded number one and is still in with a title shout, along with Alice Ruggiu (ITA) who took second at the first stop.
The young Briton Francesca Maini finished fourth in Brazil, but went on to win the first Red Bull Kota women’s division in Cape Town and is travelling to Barcarés to get in some strong-wind training ahead of LoT.
The youngest athlete, 14-year-old Aya Kasabova (BUL), is also hot-footing it to France from Dakhla, Morocco, where she has been enjoying 40 knots winds in perfect preparation for “one of the big comps of the year”.
Lorenzo Casati (ESP)
Lorenzo Casati (ESP): So for me, the goal is to keep going with the Big Air this year. I will be doing all the events there are. My main focus will be to become world champion in [Barcarès] France and win the Red Bull King of the Air at the end of the year.
But as well, I want to repeat the [GKA] Rider of the Year win because for me that is also a really big achievement; the work in all the different disciplines around the whole year.
Question: With the rankings after the first round in Brazil, you just have to beat Edgar Ulrich to win?
LC: My goal is to win the event [LoT] first. Actually, I need to just finish in a higher position than Edgar. Then I would have two stops and I win the world championship. If we don’t know anything [of another stop] before Lords of Tram then it will be the last event.
Q: What’s the plan for Lords of Tram?
LC: If the wind comes I will be there a few days before to get a feeling for the conditions and get a bit ready. [At Barcarès] it’s a little bit different from what I’m used to, the waves. I ride quite a bit on the flat water, in Tarifa, but in France it’s a bit different.
Francesca Maini (GBR)
I’ve been to Barcarès a few times, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite spot. I prefer Cape Town. Barcarès is not ideal for me. I like waves [and kickers] more than flat water.
Q: You were fourth in Brazil, how does that leave your chances of a world title?
FM: It puts me in a decent position. I think I have to be first to get the world title. But it depends on everyone’s results. I’d say I’d like to be in a better position, but it’s still better than other people in the rankings.
I trained in Cape Town during the winer and left at the start of March. I definitely learned some new tricks because there is more consistent and strong winds. I was actually not training much with the girls, more with the boys.
It’s always good to train with someone better. I did a bit with Nathalie Lambrecht as we were working on a project. It’s really good motivation working with the guys. They’re landing good tricks and giving you good motivation.
I’m definitely looking forward to Lord of Tram. I’m pretty excited even though it’s not my favourite spot to compete in. It’s an unpredictable place; very up and down.
Aya Kasabova (BUL)
Aya Kasabova: I’m in Dakhla [Morocco]. We already planned this trip before I got into the competition [LoT]. So we ended up doing both. We’re going to France tomorrow [Wednesday]. We’ve had 40 knots in the last two or three days, so I could practise Big Air.
I’ve been to Barcarès a few times. Last year I saw the spot and kited there. It’s definitely a very hard spot. But it’s one of the big comps of the year and I couldn’t believe it when I got in. I’m so excited.
Question: Your first Big Air competition was the GKA opening stop in Brazil. How did that go?
AK: I think I could have done a lot better. I didn’t have big expectations for myself. I know I can do better if I get into the right mindset.
Q: Your competition experience is mainly Freestyle. Is there a big difference to Big Air?
AK: Big Air is completely different from Freestyle. Big Air is a lot more mental. Big Air is what I love. You push yourself much more mentally and physically.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Samuel Cárdenas / Antoine Piel / Lords of Tram media
Men
Edgar Ulrich (FRA)
Lorenzo Casati (ESP)
Leonardo Casati (ITA)
Shahar Tsabary (ISR)
Jeremy Burlando (ESP)
Zac Adams (USA)
Josué San Ferreira (BRA)
Andrea Principi (ITA)
Kimo Verkerk (NED)
Adalberto “Beto” Gomez (COL)
Nathan Texier (FRA)
Giel Vlugt (NED)
Stijn “Stino” Mul (NED)
Jason van der Spuy (RSA)
Josh Gillit (RSA)
Cohan van Dijk (NED)
Clement Huot (FRA)
Arthur Guillebert (FRA)
Marius Sanchez (FRA)
Luca Ceruti (RSA)
Hugo Wigglesworth (NZL)
Liam Whaley (ESP)
Baptiste Jacquemain (FRA)
Women
Zara Hoogenraad (NED)
Francesca Maini (GBR)
Pippa van Iersel (NED)
Alice Ruggiu (ITA)
Sarah Sadek (EGY)
Inbar Lerner (ISR)
Svenja Zoe Peters (DEN)
Mikaili Sol (BRA)
Alessa Mensch (GER)
Aya Kasabova (BUL)
Nathalie Lambrecht (SWE)
Lilou Ziglini (FRA)
Spot Info: Barcarès
Wind: The Tramontana blowing northerly, or north-westerly offshore, is best. The spot is non-tidal, with flat waters and temperatures of 10-20C.
The best wind for Big Air is 25-40 knots. (On Windguru the perfect forecast is 25 knots, with gusts of 30-35 knots—with the gusts as a reference point for the true wind.)
The wind is usually 5-10 knots in excess of the forecast, especially if the air temperatures are cold.
Specifics of the spot: The wind funnels in the corner of the jump zone, with result that riders can often jump three metres to five metres higher than usual.
The jump area has deep water, which makes it safer in the event of a crash.
The best seasons for the Tramontana run from March to June, and September to December. During summer, southern France’s hot weather can disrupt the pattern.
Within 500 metres the spot boasts two cable parks: a full-size Téléski Nautique and the “out and return” Sailor Wakepark. Just a kilometre away there is a full-size indoor and outdoor skatepark—Shakapark.
At the competition spot there is a bar-restaurant, The Spott, and a Duotone branded kiteschool, Surf&Kite.
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