“Flying silently above the water, that's what everyone wants…” This is the answer from professional kite surfer Annelous Lammerts when we ask her about kite foiling. Annelous has just completed the Formula Kite World Championship, in short the World Kitefoiling Championship, in Italy. She was no less than 12e and this is a very nice achievement on a global level. For Annelous, as competitive as she is, it was a measurement moment that leaves you wanting more. Annelous traveled directly from Italy to Portugal. Still, she made a moment for a phone call. Here is a short and fun interview about her experience during the World Kite Foiling World Championship in Italy.
Kitesurfing Olympics
Kitesurfing will make its way onto the Olympic sailing program during the 2024 Olympics. Not with traditional kite surfing but with kitefoiling. This will be done under the official name 'Men's and Women's Kiteboarding', also known as the Formula Kite Olympics. We are following this closely and will keep you informed.
Interview Annelous Lammerts about Formula Kite World Cup Italy
How did you come into contact with kite foiling from freestyling?
“I started kite foiling around 2016. I started with freeride kitefoiling and then I kept it up next to freestyle kitesurfing. That was where my heart lay and, of course, the competition at world level. Yet I always had a kite foil set with me to use. Due to Covid, the international freestyle competition came to a standstill and I got more time to go kitefoil.”
How did you end up in the national selection of the Watersportverbond for the Olympic discipline kitefoiling?
“I was asked a number of times to come and see the Dutch kitefoil team. Once I joined the team, I was soon very enthusiastic. The group with driven kitefoilers and the good guidance appealed to me enormously. My progression and the competitive element quickly made me even more enthusiastic.”
What were your expectations of the Formula Kite World Championship in Italy?
“Actually, I had no expectations. We had little wind during the European Championship in September. I also don't have a lot of experience with training in racing and a race like the Kitefoilen World Championship is difficult to simulate."
Think of a real starting line with so many kitefoilers going for it at the same time. That is almost impossible to simulate. This WC Kitefoilen was a measuring moment for me.
How did your heats go?
“I started the first race with about 20 other ladies, including the five-time Formula Kite world champion. I knew the focus would be on starting. We talked a lot about that and I received a lot of coaching. It didn't work the first time and then it did. Then you see that things are going better and that the tips from the guidance work.”
How many heats have you sailed?
“There were about 20 races during this Formula Kite World Championship. So I had a lot of opportunity to gain a lot of experience and prove myself.”
Formula kite is very tactical.
Follow-up interview Annelous Lammerts
Why is tactics so important at Formula Kite?
“The wind came from different directions during the World Cup. When you combine this with gusts, it's not just about speed but how tactically you move. With good stable wind it is of course a very good start. Coach Casper Bouman shared so much knowledge with me, I took advantage of that.”
What are you proud of? Apart from your beautiful 12e place where we congratulate you.
“I am very happy that I have learned to start well. I have been able to apply the feedback I have received on this. A very cool moment was during a neck-and-neck race where there was a lot of pushing. I took a job just a little bit sharper than others and so went neck-and-neck with girls from the top 10 in the world. That was cool.”
Is there still time to enjoy the water? A cry of joy or something?
“It was a moment of joy, but then it was immediately 100% concentration again. It is not easy to keep the foil under control at such speeds and make the best choices.”
What are you going to work on?
“Speed is really something to work on. I'm going to work hard on that with the Dutch team. The advantage is that the Dutch men kite foil at about the speed at which the fastest ladies kite foil. Of course they will also train hard, but my advantage is that I can continue to lean on them and learn from them.”
What I also want to work on is kite foiling during extreme conditions. I have to improve in both light wind and strong wind. The top also performs well in extreme conditions.
Is there a chance that you will be allowed to participate in the Olympic Games in 2024 on behalf of the Netherlands?
“The opportunity is of course there. We showed we can do it, now we have to keep repeating this and get a lot better so we can rank. We aim to kitefoil in the absolute top of the world. We will have a in 2023 Kitefoiling World Championship in the Netherlands. That is something to look forward to.”
Do you have any tips for people who want to start kite foiling?
Annelous Lammerts answers audibly enthusiastically and with a smile. “You have to do it anyway. Flying silently above the water, who wouldn't want that. It is really beautiful to float above the water. And, with a little kitesurfing experience it is easy to master. I advise everyone to take a coaching session. Even if it's only 2 hours. This speeds up the learning curve enormously and therefore you know what you are doing. That makes it a lot safer than practicing yourself.”
Annelous, congratulations again on your achievement! Hopefully one step closer to your goal. Thank you also for your time and the inspiring interview. We follow you and the Kitefoil Team NL closely. Goodluck!
