Travis Verkaik, 19, from the UK has won Red Bull Art of Motion, the most daring freerunning competition in the world, after three days of scintillating competition.

The world’s best freerunners put on a gravity-defying show during the competition, with daring rooftop jumps and big tricks landed throughout the picturesque, freerunning paradise of Astypalea in Greece.Travis, from Dorchester, UK, scored 15 points from the maximum of 21 available to claim victory in one of the toughest freerunning competitions worldwide and cement his name alongside previous winners and freerunning legends. Over three days of action-packed competition, with three of the most challenging events in freerunning history to face, Travis came out on top, securing a first, second and third place in each of the challenges.

Fellow compatriot Ed Scott, 24, came in a close second, making it three years in a row he has taken the runner up spot and upcoming prodigy Elis Torhall, 17, from Sweden took the final podium position.

Travis Verkaik said: “I can’t believe it, this is unbelievable. I used to watch Red Bull Art of Motion when I was only 11 years old with my friends and to win it is a dream come true.

 “When we were doing the 60 second video challenge yesterday, I had a great day, it was awesome and it helped towards me winning. One my last run, someone said ‘send it’ and that’s exactly what I did.”

Sydney Olson, 29, from the USA, secured best female in the competition after executing a consistent performance throughout the challenges. French freerunning sensation Lilou Ruel, 19, came a very close second and Dutch Red Bull athlete Noa Diorgina, 17, was third, but it was Sydney’s fantastic last run in the final event that helped her claim the title.

Sydney Olson said: “It feels amazing to win again, it feels like an out of body experience, it feels great.

 “The greatest feeling was stomping the run at the end, I tried to not let the occasion get to me. It’s been one of the most incredible weeks of my life.”

Red Bull Athlete Dimitris ‘DK’ Kyrsanidis, said: “That was a crazy event, it was one of the craziest experiences ever. The final event was incredible to see.”

Using the island as their playground, 16 of the best freerunners from all corners of the globe took on three unique challenges during the competition. The first, the ‘Exploration Challenge’, saw the athletes create three videos showing off their own unique style. British athlete Ed Scott took the maximum 7 points, with fellow compatriot Travis Verkaik coming in second and claiming 5 points.

Travis, however, took the maximum points in the second event, the ‘Spot Challenge’, with Ed not scoring at all, which saw the athletes create a video completing never attempted before setups on the rooftops of Astypalea.

In the final event, the ‘Live Challenge, the athletes had just three attempts to hit their best trick in under 10 seconds with the freerunners being judged on creativity, difficulty, flow, execution, and overall performance. Ed Scott took first place in the event with an incredible run, but Travis claimed third place meaning that he secured enough points to take overall victory.

The Red Bull Art of Motion 2022 final standings:

1. Travis Verkaik (UK)
2. Ed Scott (UK)
3. Elis Torhall (SWE)
4. Shea Rudolph (USA)
5. Evgeny ‚Archie‘ Aroyan (IAT)

Best Female Athlete:

1. Sydney Olson (USA)
2. Lilou Ruel (FRA)
3. Miranda Tibbling (SWE)