| Kiteboarding will focus on Freestyle, Course Racing, Wave Riding and Speed |
| Friday, 01 January 2010 11:00 |
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The discipline system has been simplified for 2010, with the major disciplines being Freestyle, Course Racing, Wave Riding and Speed. The two Freestyle Categories in 2009 have been a concession to the former two world tours, but it turned out that the stlyes are not that different apart from a few details. These details have been discusses in the IKA judging committee and as a result, there will be only one freestyle judging from 2010 on, and all events will be included in one unified world ranking. Downwind Racing will disappear for the moment as a major discipline, as this kind of racing (including kitecross, boardercross, long distance, kiteslalom etc) has not developed far enough yet, but it will come up more and more as a second discipline event. World wide rules are to be developed in the near future to allow comparable competiton around the globe. Other side-disciplines include Best Trick, Kiteloop, Speed Crossings, Kickers/Sliders etc. Course Racing has developed to one of the most attracting formats in the meantime, with 19 events counting towards the 2009 world ranking by far the most popular discipline as far as numbers of competitors are converned. Wave Riding and Speed will continue unchanged - quite specialised disciplines were it is hard to find the perfect spot with water and wind conditions coming together at the same time, but it looks good for full tours in both disciplines 2010 Each of the four major disciplines will have its own world ranking, were all events held in that discipline around the world count for. How many and for which period - this will be covered in a separate "Focus on..." article. The Overall Ranking then merges the points from all single discipline points from every rider - with the result that the most versatile kiteboarder in the world will lead the overall ranking. Watch out for more "Focus on..." articles and feel free to comment to us - we are glad to get your feedback and answer your serious questions.
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