The Ozone R1 V4 kites have been approved as registered series production equipment for Formula Kite class.
After a successful factory inspection by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) Technical Committee, the kite sizes 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, and 21 meters were officially granted Formula Kite status.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 limitations, the physical factory inspection was replaced by extensive documentation.
Brands must provide detailed videos and pictures demonstrating every step of the approximately 80-hour manufacturing process of a foil kite.
The final inspection - with a focus on quality control and measurement - was then conducted via videoconferencing between the IKA inspection team and the technical team of Ozone Kites in their Vietnam factory.
Physical Inspections Postponed
After the approval of the Moses 106-670 hydrofoil early this year, Ozone's R1 V4 is now the first kite finalizing the registration process.
The novel coronavirus pandemic had large implications on the timeline of the equipment registration process.
However, with continued disruption of international travel, it was essential that athletes and teams have access to equipment for training once local and regional restrictions ease.
The IKA Technical Committee, together with the industry, has therefore implemented procedures to continue the registration process remotely until physical inspections can be re-scheduled.
Registered production equipment is eligible for official races from August 10, 2020, onward.
It will be continuously evaluated in competition mode until the end of 2021 when World Sailing will license the 2024 Olympic equipment.