Perfection, precision and one hundred percent synchronicity in its manoeuvres make the Red Bull Kiteforce team one of the best in the world. Its main goal is to showcase a fascination for kite flying. And to do that, the team takes a two-pronged approach: on the one hand, the team's athletes impress the crowds at numerous shows and kite festivals with their spectacular moves, on the other hand the team competes at the highest level in various international competitions and championships.
The four members of the Red Bull Kiteforce team:
Ramlal Tien
I discovered my passion for kiting in Normandy, where it gets pretty blustery, and with the right thermals the sport can get very exciting. At college in Caen I studied fine arts. My passion soon became my profession and I started to build and test my own prototypes. I wrote me thesis on the technology of kites and I now run my own kiting business. My goal is to win the title with the Red Bull Kiteforce team at the World Championships next year.
| Name: | Ramlal Tien |
| Nationality: | French |
| Date of birth: | 27 July, 1969 |
| Studied: | Design and typography at the Ecole des Beaux Arts de Caen |
| Profession: | Freelance in kite design, shows and artwork |
| Passion: | Flying kites |
Yasumasa Numata (Yasu) – the "Ninja"
I am actually a composer and my first experience with kites was in Tenerife. From then on I was a member of several kite crews and honed my flying skills to perfection. In 1998 I founded my own team, "Overdrive". Besides leading the team, I also compose the soundtracks for our performances, as perfect timing and the interaction between the members of the team and the music are crucial in kiting!
| Name: | Numata Yasumasa |
| Nationality: | Japanese |
| Date of birth: | 25 December, 1946 |
| Studied: | Electronic Sounds in London |
| Profession: | Composer |
| Passion: | Flying kites |
| Achievements: | French Champion 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| European Champion 2001, 2002 | |
| World Champion 2002, 2003 |
Richard Debray
The first time I flew a kite was on a beach holiday. What started out with a simple, cheap kite eventually took me to international kite competitions and the world's best kiting team. I am a regular member of the Red Bull Kiteforce team and am pretty determined when it comes to improving my technique, which is why I also answer to the name of "Robocop".
| Name: | Richard Debray |
| Nationality: | French |
| Date of birth: | 26 March, 1980 |
| Studied: | Electrical engineering, aircraft navigation |
| Profession: | Aviation engineer |
| Passion: | Flying kites |
| Achievements: | Freestyle World Champion 2005 |
| French Champion 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 | |
| European Champion 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008 |
Mathieu Mayet
When my mother gave me my first kite for my 13th birthday, I knew there an then that this was MY sport! I never let go of the kite and trained hard. My own style of flying has helped me to continually improve and stands me apart from other kiters. Thanks to the support of my friends Ramlal Tien and Richard Debray, I was soon able to train with the best kiters and as a member of the Red Bull Kiteforce team the challenges and the excitement of the sport are even greater.
| Name: | Mathieu Mayet |
| Nationality: | French |
| Date of birth: | 7 August, 1980 |
| Passion: | Flying kites |
| Achievements: | French Champion 2001, 2002 in solo flying |
| French Champion 2001 in freestyle | |
| European Champion 2001 in stunt flying |
