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Kajo said..
That's defo huge!
I was always wondering with those big jumps, do you really need to loop the kite prior to landing?
Kajo - there are few factors involved with Heli loops being used in big jumps with big winds. The main reason is to try and slow a bit and soften the landing.
If you've ever been out in very strong cyclone type wind, youll notice that you cannot stand on the beach. With the bar near full out and the drag on the kite - your off sliding barefoot down the beach.
When you boost very high and come in hot, the wind speed is that fast, that trying to throw the kite forward for a butter soft style landing doesnt work very well..
The kite speed being thrown forward may be the same or less than the wind speed.. basically meaning you cant create lift to soften or slow you down.
When you heli loop the kite, it rotates back into the wind, this creates some lift as you swing under and forward of the kite - creating a slight parachute brake effect. Time it wrong and the kite can roll behind dropping the lines over you, then it just might power up..
It takes a lot of skill to land at 'very high speed'...