Kitepix Magazine No.6 April - June 2015 | Page 118

Today there are more people
racing than ever before. As
racing has matured, riders
have found their niche. We
now see numbers spread
across
four
disciplines.
Hydrofoil, Formula, TT and
Slalom. This broad base is
brilliant as there’s something
for any age or skill level.
Many of the skills learnt
are transferable from class
to class which allows easy
progression. It looks like
racing has finally found its
feet, Formula is still under
evaluation for inclusion in the
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Regardless of that, racing
will continue to develop and
grow.
What are the options for
any aspiring kite racer?
Hydrofoiling is a vibrant
developmental class, which
means lots of excitement
and no limit on equipment.
This is brilliant because you
can race whatever you have.
The downside is that to be
at the top means constantly
updating
equipment,
allowing you to keep with
the developmental curve
and stay on pace. Formula
is a standard 3 fin raceboard
built around a box rule. It’s
the most mature and thus
developed class. It has many
rules about equipment in
order to make it workable as
an ISAF Olympic class and
attractive to Nation teams.