The next step towards Rio: Kiteboarding Format Trials

[Toby]

IKA News:

The next step towards Rio: Kiteboarding Format Trials

ISAF is pleased to announce that there will be a series of Kiteboarding format trials held in Santander, Spain from 21-25 March. The Prince Felipe High Performance Centre that is hosting the evaluation event will also host the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

In May 2011 ISAF Council selected Windsurfing and/or Kiteboarding as a possible event for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.

In November 2011 ISAF Council agreed that a specialist evaluation team be appointed to look at the format and event management implications for Kiteboarding.
The evaluation team has been selected for their in depth Kiteboarding knowledge and is made up of representatives from both ISAF and the IKA:

• Kamen Fillyov - Chairman of the ISAF Windsurfing & Kiteboarding Committee
• Bruno de Wannemaeker - ISAF Equipment Committee
• Michael Gebhardt - Olympic Windsurfer and professional Kiteboarder
• Markus Schwendtner - Executive Secretary, International Kiteboarding Association

ISAF has also appointed a panel of windsurfing, Kiteboarding and race management experts to prepare a final report for the ISAF Mid-Year meeting:

• Tomasz Chamera - ISAF Events Committee
• Ilker Bayindir - ISAF Windsurfing & Kiteboarding Committee
• Bruno de Wannemaeker - ISAF Equipment Committee

ISAF and the IKA have proposed the following format options for Kiteboarding to be trialled in Santander:
short track http://www.sailing.org/37807.php
slalom http://www.sailing.org/37808.php
course racing http://www.sailing.org/37805.php
enduro http://www.sailing.org/37806.php

Throughout the five day trials, the sailors will sail the different formats and provide feedback.

ISAF is inviting Member National Authorities, National Kiteboard Associations and Kiteboarding manufacturers to nominate a maximum of one man and one woman to attend the format trails. Please complete and return the application for before 24 February. ISAF and the IKA will then select a maximum of 12 sailors to attend the trails in Santander.

Please note that travel arrangements, flight and accommodation costs are to be covered by the MNA, the national class, the manufacturer or the sailor himself.

Sailor nomination form: http://www.sailing.org/37803.php