LIAM WHALEY - A MAN OF MANY TALENTS

The Red Bull King of the Air came to a climax on wednesday in Cape Town, South Africa.  Liam Whaley, the force to reckon with on the freestyle tour, entered the event late as an injury wildcard replacement for Nick Jacobsen, the 2017 KOTA winner, having broke his ankle just weeks before the event. 

Liam put in round after round of solid performances taking out contenders at each stage.  Growing as the competition went on he even landed new moves into the later rounds that earned him the points needed to progress.  As the day grew late he found himself in the final against Kevin Langeree and Lewis Crathern, all big air specialists who have been riding in the KOTA since it's re-introduction. Liam continued to go big and land a succession of powerful technical mega loops with multiple spins.  As Lewis got flagged out it was all out.  Liam added some unhooked handle passes into the mix to try and wow the judges but it was Kevin who just edged it into the top spot.