Olympic games kite surfing

Olympics kitesurfing during the 2024 Olympics
Olympics kitesurfing during the 2024 Olympics

Kitesurfing will be included in the Olympic sailing program during the 2024 Olympic Games. 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. The kitesurfing Olympics is finally a fact within the sailing program. On this page you will find all the information you need in preparation for the 2024 Kitesurfing Olympic Games.

Publicity for sailing and kite surfing

It is clear that kitesurfing in its entirety will receive more publicity now that kitefoiling becomes an Olympic sport. Of course, this also applies the other way around: because the kitesurf racing discipline is linked to sailing, sailing will also receive more publicity. And let's be honest, kitesurf racing looks incredibly spectacular.

'Formula kite' racing. Photo: Peter van der Kloostert during Dutch Kitefoil Cup Holland 2020.
'Formula kite' racing. Photo: Peter van der Kloostert during Dutch Kitefoil Cup Holland 2020.

Men's and Women's Kiteboarding (Formula Kite) official term

So far we always talk about the kitesurfing Olympics. This is also how the media often writes about it. Internationally, the name that is often used is 'Formula Kite'. The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refers to it as 'Men's and Women's Kiteboarding (Formula Kite)' in its reports.

Formula Kite material selected

This way kite surfing could become Olympic

The only way kitesurfing could make its way was through sailing. Within the sailing classes, it was most logical that kitesurfing race would be selected as an Olympic discipline. So no sailing styles like freestyle, big air or whatever racing.

Because the number of sailing medals was not allowed to grow initially, the two 470-class boats have been merged into one mixed two-person boat. A boat with one man and one woman. For example, the sailing discipline has made one of the Olympic medals to be awarded available to kitesurfing. Windsurfing is also still on the program with the IQfoil sailing style. A number of changes have now been made. You can read this below.

Competition form Olympic kitesurfing Paris 2024

After Paris in 2024, kitefoiling is expected to be part of the Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles and in Brisbane in 2032.

Dutch kite foil competition. Photo: Peter van der Kloostert during Dutch Kitefoil Cup Holland 2020.
Dutch kite foil competition. Photo: Peter van der Kloostert during Dutch Kitefoil Cup Holland 2020.

'Mixed relay' replaced by Olympic kitesurfing for men and women

Request IFKO for own discipline for kitesurf racing

Meanwhile, there is still discussion by International Federation Kitesports Organizations (IFKO) with the request to separate kitesurf racing with the kitefoil from sailing. For the development of the sport, the IFKO emphasizes that it must be viewed as an independent sport. So not linked to sailing. We will keep you informed about the progress.

Check out how a Formula Kite race went at the 2020 European Championships.

Kitefoil Cup Holland unites with kitesurfing association NKV

Mixed Kiteboarding during the Olympics kitesurfing

Working towards the 2024 Olympics

Ode to founders Kitefoil Cup Holland

Kite Foil Team Netherlands

The fact is that in the Netherlands a group of talented kite surfers has been working on this new discipline for some time. For example, there was a European Championship in 2020. In addition, Formale Kite was several times on the program of major sailing events. The ultimate goal of Kite Foil Team Netherlands is of course a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Windsurfing also wind foiling at the 2024 Olympics

Many current windsurfing championships, for example the Olympic class RS: X, are still with traditional windsurf boards. However, this type of windsurf board will be replaced by an Olympic surfboard for the 2024 Olympic Games: the wind foil. The Olympic class is called iQfoil. Just like with kitefoiling, the windsurfer floats above the water with wing foiling thanks to the special foil construction (mast, fuselage, front wing and back wing). This iQfoil class wingfoil material makes wing foiling a race and is incredibly fast.

Olympics kitesurfing blogs