MUSCAT, Nov. 21 - Kiteboard racing is nearing recognition as an Olympic sport with the extreme sport likely to be an exhibition event at Tokyo 2020 Games. “In Tokyo, kiteboard racing is almost likely to be an exhibition event. The International Olympic Committee will decide on the matter in December,” Markus Schwendtner, CEO of the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), told Oman Observer in an exclusive interview.
The German shed light on his thoughts on the sidelines of the 2017 IKA Formula Kite World Championships in Oman.
“The sport is going to be a medal event in 2024 Paris Olympics and French city of Marseille will host the kiteboarding events,” he said.
The IKA chief had all praise for the venue of the Kite Worlds in Oman Sail’s headquarters at Al Mouj Muscat Marina.
“This venue here at Al Mouj is a very electric location for the public to come and watch kite racing directly from the beach. This week it will be very different from what we did last week in Masirah.”
“The venue is just perfect. Sandy beach, good wind and I talked to many of the riders and they are super happy.”
The top official, just back after a World Sailing Conference in Mexico, urged the Sultanate’s youth to take up the sport.
“We have 22 countries from all the six continents and we expect the Omani youth to take up kit boarding and witness the exciting sport on the waters.”
Kiteboarding is witnessing a strong push after being a strong contender for an Olympic status.
“Kiteboard racing is now seeing a strong push as many more countries are taking up the sport after it is in contention for an Olympic status.”
“At the moment, France and USA are the top nations involved in the sport. Australia, Great Britain and Monaco are also good.”
Schwendtner, however, said that there is a big chance for the emerging countries also to make an impact in the sport.
“The margin of excellence is not great among the top countries and new players also get a fair chance because of the nature of the sport.”
The sport is well suited for Oman, Asian and Middle East people as it favours lighter weights and smaller statures. “The kitefoil racers are ideally with lighter weights and smaller statures which help them prevail on the kiteboards. So the athletes with similar shapes have a good chance to excel in the sport, which will mostly fall in line with Oman, Asian and Middle East.”
Schwendtner, who spend half of his career in wind surfing, was later into organising top-class events such as Sailing World Cups and Olympic competitions.
Kiteboard racing has an excellent future as it is a favourite with the television audience and other social media platforms.
“It attracts both the traditional sailing audience as well as fun-loving extreme sports fans and the youth,” Schwendtner concluded.
Anuroop Athiparambath
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