TKitesurfing will participate for the first time during the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. This is now well known among kite surfers. We lay with the help of a professional kite surfer Daniela Moroz a number of things. For example, how kitesurfing could end up at the Olympic Games and what the kitesurfing Olympics will look like. Daniela Moroz is a 4-time kitesurf racing world champion and also shows us how kitesurf racing works.
This way kitesurfing could become Olympic
The only way in which kite surfing could enter was through sailing. Within the sailing classes it was most logical that kite surfing within the sailing program would take kitesurf race as a starting point. So no riding styles like freestyle, big air or whatever racing. Because the number of sailing medals was not allowed to grow, the two 470 class boats have been combined into one mixed two-person boat. A boat with one man and one woman. For example, the sailing discipline has made one of the forgivable Olympic medals available to kite surfing. Windsurfing is also still on the program.
NB On June 10, 2021 it was decided to change the competition format during the Olympic Games Kitesurfing Paris 2024 from 'Mixed Relay' to a competition for women and men. Read blog about the changed Olympic kitesurfing program.
Publicity for sailing and kite surfing
It is clear that kitesurfing will receive more publicity in its entirety. And vice versa, of course. Because the kitesurf racing discipline is linked to sailing, sailing will also receive more publicity. And let's be honest, how cool does kitesurf racing look like.
During the Olympic Games, the race format will be gender neutral.
Race format kite surfing during the Olympic games
At the moment there have already been several competitions to test kitesurf racing competitions. For example in 2019 and 2020 during the world championships and the European championships. During the test events, individual battles are often still held. During the Olympics, however, the race format will be team and gender neutral. During the kitesurfing games, it is intended that one man and woman per country will race in relay form.
Kitesurfing Olympic: form 'Kitefoil mixed relay'
The kitefoil mixed relay is the new Olympic discipline. In the 'kitefoil mixed team relay' each team consists of one man and one woman. It is a relay race where teams compete against each other. In 2020 the Dutch duo Sven van de Kamp and Mariska Wildenberg already practiced with this. This was during it European Kitefoiling Championship.
Follow all of it kitesurf olympic games news. Also see when the next kitefoil competition planned.
Good content. I had no idea that kite surfing is linked to sailing.