2024 KiteFoil World Series Austria: Exciting Season Opener Announced!
2024 KiteFoil World Series Austria Kicks Off
5-8 September 2024
Fresh from his remarkable victory at the Olympic Games, Valentin Bontus will continue his triumphant return by competing in the KiteFoil World Series Austria.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Traunsee, the event will take place from September 5 to 8, marking the first event of the new Olympic cycle leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Bontus will race alongside his fellow competitors and friends, eager to showcase their skills.
This year’s event carries added significance as all participants will have the chance to race with a new set of equipment that has been approved for Formula Kite racing on the Olympic circuit. New maximum kite size limits have been introduced: men can use kites up to 21 square meters, while women are limited to 19 square meters.
After the Flysurfer brand’s dominance in the previous Olympic cycle, excitement is building as various rival brands seek to capture the attention of the world’s elite kitefoiling athletes.
Finding the right balance between top-end speed and ease of use is crucial for both kite designers and riders. Each rider’s preferences vary significantly based on their size, experience, and riding styles, making it essential to customize equipment accordingly.
The foils, providing lift beneath the surface, also play a crucial role. While the last Olympic cycle saw fierce competition between the Chubanga and Levitaz brands, new entrants may emerge this time, challenging the established order.
With no equipment registration at the KiteFoil World Series, riders can test and experiment with as much gear as they wish, adding to the event’s intrigue.
The previous medal series format received positive feedback for its dramatic final-day conclusions while minimizing unpredictability for competitors. However, KiteFoil World Series will introduce a new format for the medal series:
All sailors will compete in a single fleet for the first three days. On the final day, the top nine sailors will qualify for the medal series, with the 10th sailor earning a spot through a fleet race involving all sailors not in the top nine.
Historically, the sailors ranked first in both men and women will receive a ‘golden ticket,’ granting them access to the repechage phase of the medal series.
The medal series consists of a repechage, quarter-final, semi-final, and grand final:
- Repechage: Sailors ranked 7th, 8th, and 9th, along with the golden ticket winner, sail a shorter race, with the top two advancing to the quarter-final.
- Quarter Final: The top two from the repechage join those ranked 5th and 6th, with the first two moving on to the semi-final.
- Semi Final: The top two from the quarter final compete with sailors ranked 3rd and 4th, with the first two advancing to the final.
- Final: The top two from the semi-final race against those ranked 1st and 2nd. The first to secure three wins is declared the event champion. The top-ranked sailor starts with two wins, the second with one, while those coming from the semi-final start with none.
This new format retains the final structure from the previous season, but the single-race format in the knockout rounds enhances predictability for scheduling competitions, benefiting both television and media coverage, while still rewarding the best-performing riders.
Racing at Lake Traunsee begins on Thursday, September 5. The races during the weekend of September 7 and 8 will be livestreamed for audiences to follow the excitement.
Sarah Mitchell, an experienced sailor and marine journalist from Sydney, has nurtured a love for the ocean throughout her life. After earning a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Sydney, Sarah quickly made a name for herself with her compelling and vivid storytelling. Her work captures the thrill of sailing and the unique culture of maritime life, making her a respected figure in the sailing community. Outside of writing, Sarah spends her time exploring Australia’s stunning coastlines and competing in local regattas, always on the lookout for her next great adventure.