Olympic games kite surfing

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

During the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the Olympic kite foiling races are scheduled from August 4 to 8. This will be done under the official name 'Men's and Women's Kiteboarding', also known as the Formula Kite Olympics. The kitesurfing Olympics is finally a fact within the sailing program. We are following this closely special blog with the latest updates and the link to the live stream . On this page you will find all the information you need in preparation for the 2024 Kitesurfing Olympic Games.

Kitesurfing Olympics content

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

For the so-called Formula Kite, the material that will be used to surf for the medals meets strict criteria. This is to create a level playing field for all teams. A registration and selection procedure was therefore followed. The kitesurfing industry and suppliers could participate in this. The International Kitesurfing Association (IKA) who took care of the registration and selection then communicated the choices. Thus, for example, the  Levitaz R5, Bionic P110 HW and the Ozone R1V4 approved with hydrofoil systems and a foil kite (also called RAM-air).

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

In June 2021 there was good news for the Olympic kitesurfing Paris 2024 and sailing. The Olympic Commission (IOC) announced a favorable decision for the Olympic sailing competition in Paris 2024. Mixed Offshore sailing and Mixed Kiteboarding were definitively removed from the Olympic program, but there was something beautiful in return. Namely, that a medal is made available for both men and women. This applies to the kitefoil discipline 'Formula Kite' as well as to the sailing category '470 Dinghy'.

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

The mixed relay, the so-called 'mixed relay', has therefore been replaced by Olympic kite foiling with both a competition for men and women. In the 'mixed relay' format, one team consisted of a man and a woman racing in relay form. In the newly chosen form, men and women each have their own competition. The belief is that this creates a wider and stronger field at the highest level for both women and men. The kitefoilers we know and are closely involved in Olympic kitesurfing already gave us this feedback. It would be difficult for some countries to select both a strong man and a woman for one team in the old situation. The new competition format will make this easier.

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

De Kitefoil Cup Holland has grown enormously in the Netherlands in recent years as an organization of kitefoil competitions in the Netherlands. During this period, kite foiling in the Netherlands, but also internationally, has taken off enormously. Not only because kite foiling greatly enriches kite surfing. After all, you already can below 10 knots have a lot of fun. But also because kitefoiling an Olympic discipline kitesurfing within the sailing program will be during the 2024 Olympic games.

Mixed Kiteboarding during the Olympics kitesurfing

Working towards the 2024 Kite Foiling Olympics

The organization of volunteers has been working closely with the Watersports Association. This in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games, where the Netherlands naturally has the ambition to come back with gold.

Ode to founders Kitefoil Cup Holland

Evan Kruger, Koen Boterman and Sander de Kok deserve a big compliment for bringing Kitesurf Cup Holland where it is now. With the support of the NKV, they can continue to concentrate 100% on the competitions. View more information about it the merger of Kitefoil Cup Holland into the NKV 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.

Endless energy kite foilers

We also have a very active kitefoil group in the Netherlands that is inexhaustibly preparing for Paris 2024. We will keep you informed about this regularly.

The fact that we go from one to two medals with kite foils is of course wonderful. The country teams will now focus more on the individuals for development and progression from the team perspective.

We are looking forward to supporting the kitefoilers on the journey to Olympic kitesurfing Paris 2024. The intention is that the Olympic kitesurfing will be raced in the south of France near Marseille. The sport will certainly be in the spotlight. How cool is that!

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