Italian kitesurfer Andrea Principi dropps off world’s tallest observation wheel in Dubai.
Dubai, UAE – 27 February 2026 – Italian kitesurfing star Andrea Principi has performed a record-breaking kite drop from the top of Ain Dubai – the world’s tallest observation wheel at 250 metres, or about 57 storeys – soaring down by kite to land on the waters off Jumeirah Beach Residence before riding away on his board. The 58-second descent saw Principi execute six consecutive “Around the World” loops, a world first for the advanced kitesurfing manoeuvre.
Kitesurfers typically use their kites to go fast, or in Principi’s case, to get serious air. But for this feat, the 21-year-old two-time Red Bull King of the Air champion converted his kite into a parachute – stepping 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.
It’s the kind of move that sounds impossible until you remember who’s doing it. Principi claimed his first Red Bull King of the Air title at just 19, then backed it up with another win the following year. The idea for the Ain Dubai drop came to him 18 months ago, where Principi spotted a smaller observation wheel and thought: what if? As soon as he arrived in the UAE and saw Ain Dubai, he knew he’d found the right place. “I didn’t yet know how, but I said ‘Okay, we can do it’. And it all started from there.”
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 Ain Dubai drop was the equivalent of ten top-tier Big Air jumps stacked on top of each other.
The technical execution was unlike anything seen in kitesurfing. 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. “At the beginning on the bottom the wind was so light. My kite was barely flying. It was really a mission.” Metre by metre, he nursed the kite upward, keeping it stable until he reached the top – 250 metres above the water.
“When I was at the top with my kite above my head and the board ready, I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I said to myself ‘Okay, 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.”
Dubai has cemented its status as the go-to destination for high-impact projects and bold brand partnerships. The city’s iconic landmarks – Ain Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, the Museum of the Future – offer an unrivalled canvas, backed by world-class infrastructure and a calendar built around major events. Red Bull’s long-running partnership with the city has turned Dubai into a global stage for record-breaking feats, and Principi’s drop is the latest chapter.
Overseeing the 18-month operation was Sergio Cantagalli, Sportive Director of the Red Bull King of the Air and a 40-year veteran of high-performance board sports. His expertise in Big Air formats, safety systems, and high-risk productions proved essential – though even he was surprised by how it came together.
“We managed to do something we probably weren’t even expecting,” said Cantagalli. “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.”
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. “When I want to do something and I really have it in my mind, until I reach it, I’m not done,” said Principi. “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.”
Set against Ain Dubai – the world’s tallest observation wheel, anchored on Bluewaters Island – the attempt unfolded with panoramic views across Palm Jumeirah and the JBR coastline. By chance, the cabin Principi dropped from was number 27, on February 27th – a detail he took as a sign. Open to the public year-round, Ain Dubai provided an extraordinary stage for the feat, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation for delivering ambitious, boundary-pushing experiences.
For Principi, who grew up riding waves off the Tuscan coast, this represents the latest chapter in a career defined by rewriting the rules. If there’s a limit to what can be done on a kite, Principi hasn’t found it yet. “I cannot live a normal life. I need to constantly push my limits.” What’s next? “Something crazy that no one has done before.”
About Andrea Principi
Andrea Principi (born 25 September 2004, Calambrone, Italy) is an Italian kitesurfer specialising in the Big Air discipline. A Red Bull athlete, two-time Red Bull King of the Air champion (2023, 2024), and two-time GKA Big Air World Champion (2022, 2023), Principi is recognised as one of the world’s leading riders. Despite his young age, he is considered a defining figure in the global Big Air scene and one of Italy’s most promising extreme sports athletes.
About Sergio Cantagalli
Sergio Cantagalli is an internationally recognised figure in board sports with over four decades of experience shaping the evolution of windsurfing, surfing, kiteboarding, and foil disciplines. As founder of SURFCONCEPT and Sportive Director of the Red Bull King of the Air, he specialises in the design and execution of high-impact extreme sport productions, with expertise in Big Air formats, advanced safety systems, and technically demanding environments.
About Ain Dubai Entertainment
Ain Dubai is the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, standing at over 250 metres. The record-breaking monument offers unrivalled and unforgettable social and celebratory experiences as well as 360-degree views of Dubai in premium comfort – all at the heart of Bluewaters Island, the sophisticated, must-visit destination Ain Dubai is part of the extensive Dubai Holding Entertainment portfolio and will play a strategic role in supporting Dubai’s long-term vision to strengthen its global position as a leading tourism hub, continuing to build on the emirate’s reputation as a leader in the global leisure and entertainment landscape.
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
Athlete
- Name: Andrea Principi
- Nationality: Italian
- Born: 25 September 2004
- Age: 21
- Hometown: Calambrone, Tuscany, Italy
- Discipline: Big Air kiteboarding
- Achievements: Two-time Red Bull King of the Air champion (2023, 2024); two-time GKA Big Air World Champion (2022, 2023)
- Instagram: instagram.com/andrea_principi04/
- Motto: “Have fun on the water and never give up, because nothing’s impossible.”
AVAILABLE CONTENT
(free content for editorial use – no restrictions)
– News Cut incl. Best Action (different angles) + Interview with Andrea Principe.
– Social News Cut, Social News Clips (Engl, Italian, Arabic, clean).
All Assets with proper paperwork.
– More MI & SI assets available: RED BULL CONTENT POOL
Contact: Fabian Ress
fabian.ress@3mpg.ch / +49 173 248 8404
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Images free of charge for editorial use.
Credit: Red Bull Content Pool