Formula Kite
| Type | Foiling kiteboard (board plus kite, not a boat) |
|---|---|
| Board | Maximum 1,550 mm long, 500 mm beam, minimum 2,000 g hull weight |
| Kite area | Up to 21 sq m (men), 19 sq m (women) |
| Typical speed | Around 30 knots downwind |
| Typical sailor | Olympic-pathway kiteboarders; part of the Youth National Team's six classes |
Formula Kite races riders on a foiling board about a metre long, powered by a kite rather than a rig stepped on the board. The equipment is approved production gear, and the class is not strictly one-design, despite the range of kite sizes it allows. Races run about 12 minutes, short and fast, which is part of why it reads as one of the more spectator-friendly Olympic sailing disciplines.
Who runs it
The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) manages the class, and World Sailing chose it for the 2024 Olympics, where men's and women's events were held at Marseille.
The equipment
- A foil kite and a board with a hydrofoil
- Competitors use approved production equipment, so the class is not strictly one-design
- Minimum hull weight of 2,000 g, maximum board length of 1,550 mm and maximum beam of 500 mm
- Maximum kite area of 21 sq m for men and 19 sq m for women
Class and racing
World championships have been held since 2016: Hyères, France in 2024, Cagliari, Italy in 2025 and Viana do Castelo, Portugal in 2026. The class is for both men and women.
Checked against its sources on September 20, 2026.