Leonardo Casati has secured victory at Cold Hawaii 2026, leading a dominant Harlem Kitesurfing podium sweep in the men’s division. The result marks a significant milestone for the Dutch brand as their expanded competition roster occupied every top spot in the final standings.
The event in Klitmøller, Denmark, served as a showcase for the current trajectory of Big Air, where the Casati brothers faced off in a high-stakes final. Leonardo Casati took the win over his brother Lorenzo Casati, who finished in second place. Stino Mul completed the sweep, taking third to ensure all three steps of the men's podium featured Harlem riders.
Harlem Dominates the Men’s Final
The performance by the Harlem team at Cold Hawaii 2026 reflects a rapid ascent for the brand. Originally founded as a kite-repair business in the Netherlands, Harlem has transitioned into a high-performance manufacturer. The brand now partners with Brainchild Production to produce its kites within Europe, focusing on materials and designs capable of handling the extreme loads required for professional Big Air competition.
The men’s final became an internal battle for the team. Leonardo Casati and Lorenzo Casati have consistently pushed the technical boundaries of the sport, but it was Leonardo who found the winning edge in the North Sea conditions.
An all-Harlem men’s final ended in a complete podium sweep.
The inclusion of Stino Mul in third place highlighted the depth of the brand's current athlete program. This roster represents Harlem’s largest competition team to date, signaling a shift in their strategy to compete directly with the industry's largest established manufacturers.
Historical First for Women’s Division
Cold Hawaii 2026 also marked the debut of the women’s division at the event, a long-awaited addition to the Danish stop. Sarah Sadek secured a third-place finish for the Harlem team, adding a fourth podium result to the brand's weekend total. The result was a double celebration for Sadek, coinciding with her birthday.
The expansion of the event to include a women's category follows a broader trend in professional kiteboarding to provide equal platforms for female athletes in Big Air. Sadek’s performance ensures that Harlem remains a contender across both divisions as the tour progresses.
Technical Foundations
The success in Denmark is tied to the brand's recent technical developments. Harlem produces a range of performance equipment, including the Harlem Force and the Harlem Thrive, which are engineered for the vertical lift and looping speed necessary for the Klitmøller conditions. By shifting production to European facilities through Brainchild, the brand has sought to tighten quality control and iterate faster on professional-grade prototypes.
The 2026 results confirm that these hardware changes are translating to competitive advantages on the water. With four total podium placements, the Dutch brand has established its strongest presence in the Big Air scene since its inception.
Cold Hawaii 2026 Men's Results
- 1st: Leonardo Casati
- 2nd: Lorenzo Casati
- 3rd: Stino Mul
Cold Hawaii 2026 Women's Results (Harlem)
- 3rd: Sarah Sadek
