World Sailing confirms Formula Kite in Paris 2024

May 21, 2019 | Kiteboarding
Formula Kite: en route to Paris 2024 | Photo: IKA

Formula Kite will be the official kiteboarding class at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The World Sailing Council agreed with the Board of Directors' recommendation to select Formula Kite for the sport's Olympic debut in France.

The class is managed by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) and will participate in Paris 2024 with a mixed format that includes men and women.

This should translate into a short track relay on a short windward/leeward course, with team members (men and women) sailing laps and taking turns on a changeover zone.

Competition may consist of an opening series of heats and a knockout stage or another form of final (i.e., the best of x races wins).

Formula Kite is a high-performance course racing kiteboarding class.

It enables competitors of different weight and heights to compete on affordable and universal sailing crafts, on a level playing field.

The Formula Kite equipment features a hydrofoil kiteboard and a ram-air kite that shall be manufactured by licensed companies.

"The World Sailing Council selected the Formula Kite class, including the registered series production scheme that keeps the whole industry involved for Paris 2024," the IKA representatives stated.