The inclusion of kitesurfing in the Olympics marks a significant milestone for the sport. Kitesurfing is featured as part of the sailing events, alongside windsurfing, dinghies, skiffs, and multihulls. In this post, we will explore the journey of kitesurfing in the Olympics and a little background on who is representing us at the Paris Games.
What do I need to know about the Olympic kitesurfing class?
The Olympic kitesurfing event focuses on the Formula Kite class, featuring high-performance racing kites and boards. This class uses foiling boards, similar to those seen at popular kitesurfing spots like The Beach. However, the boards used in the Olympics are extremely high aspect, allowing competitors to reach speeds of up to 30-40 knots if conditions permit.
Competitors race in wind speeds ranging from as low as 5 knots to as high as 40 knots. Athletes compete in a series of races, showcasing their speed, agility, and tactical skills. The races are held on courses similar to other sailing events, with a start and finish line. The course is set according to the day's conditions, typically following an upwind-downwind pattern, though this can vary based on the race director's decisions and the wind conditions.
What is the event format and how are athletes scored?
The Formula Kite event features a men's and women's fleet, with 20 competitors in each category, completing up to 4 races per day. Points are awarded based on finishing positions in each race, with the lowest cumulative score winning the competition.
The key to success lies in start line tactics, hitting the line at full speed, and maintaining top performance consistently throughout the event. Over four days of racing, a regatta-style series ensures that riders get plenty of time on the water and can recover from mistakes, but consistency is crucial for winning gold. The racing will start with an Opening Series, beginning the rankings before
The Paris 2024 event will feature 40 riders, evenly split between men and women. The competition begins with an Opening Series, where athletes will compete in up to 16 races, with the objective to earn as high ranking as possible. The top two at the end of this Opening Series qualify automatically for the Grand Final, while those ranked 3rd to 10th go into the Semi-Finals.
The 8 remaining riders are split into two equal strength semi-finals. The goal is to pick up three race wins, with the higher ranked in each semi-final carrying over two race wins, while the second in each semi-final caries over one race win. One rider from each semi-final, qualifies to make a final four in the Grand Final.
During the Grand Final, the leader from the opening series starts with two race wins, and the second ranked has one. The goal is to secure three race wins, with competition ending as soon as someones achieves this. That means that the Grand Final can range from a single race up to six.
Who's competing for GB?
The UK is proudly represented by two outstanding kitesurfers: Connor Bainbridge and Ellie Aldridge.
Connor Bainbridge
Based on previous results, Connor is definitely one to watch, winning silver at the Paris 2023 sailing test event last summer. Although he narrowly missed qualifying Britain for a quota spot at the 2023 World Championships and European Championships, he made a remarkable comeback at French Olympic Week. Connor dominated the 'Last Chance Regatta' for unqualified nations, winning nine of the 15 races and securing his overall victory by taking the top spot in the four-athlete final.
Ellie Aldridge
Ellie transitioned from dinghy sailing to kitesurfing in 2018. By 2019, she was competing in her first European Championships, and by 2021, she had earned a World Championship medal. Ellie has become a regular contender at the top levels of major events. In 2023, she won silver at both the Olympic test event in July and the World Championships in August. She capped off an impressive year with a victory at the 2023 Formula Kite European Championships in Portsmouth. Ellie's rapid rise and consistent performance have established her as a top competitor, making her a strong representative for Team GB at the Olympics.
You can follow this links to check out the schedules for the mens racing and women's racing.
If you're inspired by the Olympic kitesurfers and want to start your kitesurfing journey find out more here.
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