Kiteboarding will make its Olympic debut in Paris 2024. Here is everything you must know about the event and the qualified athletes.
After two decades of waiting, kiteboarders will participate in the Olympic Games for the first time in the sport's history.
The inaugural Olympic kiteboarding program will take place at Marseille Marina, the official Paris 2024 sailing venue, in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.
The water conditions near Marseille's coast are ideal for competitors due to consistent winds and a coast that aligns well with the prevailing winds.
Additionally, the absence of currents or tides further ensures perfect tactical and strategic conditions for the participants.
Marseille redeveloped the competitive sailing basin facing La Corniche, offering spectators outstanding proximity to the sailing programs.
The Paris 2024 sailing events will be held from July 28-August 8, 2024.
Formula Kite is the official kiteboarding class for the Olympic Games, with a total of 40 riders (20 men and 20 women) competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals.
The men's and women's opening series takes place on August 4, 5, 6, and 7 (from 5 am to 1 pm), and the medal race is scheduled for August 7 (from 5 am to 1 pm).
Qualification Rules
The road to Paris 2024 involves a series of qualifying events and rankings.
The qualification system features the following quota allocation rules per gender:
- One (1) spot for the host nation (France);
- Eight (8) spots for the top 8 member national authorities (MNAs) at the 2023 Sailing World Championships;
- One (1) spot for each continent (total of 6) for the best member national authority (MNA) not yet qualified during the 2023 Sailing World Championships;
- Five (5) spots at a last-chance regatta for the top 5 MNAs not yet qualified;
Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Qualified Formula Kite Athletes
Here is the updated list of kiteboarders who qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Men
- T. B. D. (FRA)
- Maximilian Maeder (SIN)
- Toni Vodisek (SLO)
- Valentin Bontus (AUT)
- Riccardo Pianosi (ITA)
- Denis Taradin (CYP)
- Qbin Huang (CHN)
- Martin Dolenc (CRO)
- Bruno Lobo (BRA)
- Jannis Maus (GER)
- Tiger Tyson (ANT)
- Lukas Walton-Keim (NZL)
- Jean de Falbaire (MRI)
- Joseph Jonathan Weston (THA)
- Victor Bolanos (COL)
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.
Women
- T. B. D. (FRA)
- Eleanor Aldridge (GBR)
- Daniela Moroz (USA)
- Annelous Lammerts (NED)
- Jingle Chen (CHN)
- Breiana Whitehead (AUS)
- Maya Ashkenazi (ISR)
- Leonie Meyer (GER)
- Maggie Eillen Pescetto (ITA)
- Gisela Pulido (ESP)
- Emily Claire Bugeja (CAN)
- Justina Kitchen (NZL)
- Julie Paturau (MRI)
- Fawn Benjapa (THA)
- Maria Catalina Turienzo (ARG)
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.
- T. B. D.