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IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

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kitemovement
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IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby kitemovement » Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:16 pm

IKA PR:

With the successful bid of Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic Sailing Regatta 2016 held on the beaches of the Copacabana, Kiteboarding would perfectly suit into this scenery and add a true highlight to the Olympic Games.

Have a first look at the 2009 brochure and learn more about what kiteboard racing has to offer to the Olympic Games

“Kiteboarding is the purest form of sailing and would be an awesome addition to the Olympic Family within the framework of the 2016 Olympic Sailing Event. Kiteracing is not weight sensitive and all of your equipment can fit in the back of a regular car. Its colorful, dynamic, inexpensive and super easy to learn… and can be done in water as shallow as 2 inches deep, opening up many places where no other craft can navigate.
As a five-time Olympic Athlete within the sport of Windsurfing and now a professional kiteboarder, I feel Kiteboarding would marry well within ISAF’s umbrella of international and Olympic Sailing events. Why not introduce the sport to the world for the 2016 Olympics. It is the most modern and efficient form of wind powered sailing on the planet.”, says two-time olympic medalist Michael Gebhardt (USA), member of the IKAs Olympic Commission.

* Kiteboarding perfectly suits the IOC strategy
* Kiteboarding is the best performing of all sailing classes
* Kiteboarding offers equal opportunities for any kind of athlete
* Kiteboarding is affordable and transportable
* Kiteboarding is media attractive
* Kiteboarding brings the sports top athletes to The Games
* Kiteboardings Olympic Campaign is supported by the major manufacturers
* Kiteboarding can help to make Olympic Sailing attractive again

Watch out for our regular updates on the development of kiteboard racing towards the Olympic Games !

-> http://kitemovement.com/2009/12/15/ika- ... -campaign/

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woodfu
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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby woodfu » Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:35 pm

Sigh... its not a sailing class

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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby kitecozumel » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:03 pm

I knew it was coming, saw it a while ago.
There will be lots of pros and cons.
At least course racing is fair, no human error aka "judges"
Olympic course racing, everyone on the same gear, just the ability of the sailor..
Which brand is going to be the chosen one? or lucky one ?

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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby kitesurf66 » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:11 pm

Michael Gebhardt seems like a nice guy, but I bet he is in IKA's back pocket . He or IKA are ridiculous enough to claim that kiteboarding is a sailing class. So far none of the spokesmen for IKA have any credibility, and is a reflection of the org itself. The campaign to get kiteboarding into the Olympics is nothing more than a campaign to cash into selling the rights for TV coverage. .


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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby kitesurf66 » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:19 pm

kitecozumel wrote:I knew it was coming, saw it a while ago.
There will be lots of pros and cons.
At least course racing is fair, no human error aka "judges"
Olympic course racing, everyone on the same gear, just the ability of the sailor..
Which brand is going to be the chosen one? or lucky one ?
You make an awesome point. ISAF chose Neilpryde, and only them, to provide all the windsurfing gear for Olympians a few years back. Before Neilpryde was Mistral, so judging by the previous decisions, I will bet that only one company will be selected and that Mike (he provided feedback on the different boards, and believe voted for Neilpryde) will be one of the Olympians providing feedback. Companies better hurry up and sponsor Mike or any other "rider" who may potentially be in the selection committee. It is not about the sport! So far the so called Olympic "one design" gear is a step backwards that stifles innovation. Kiteboarding "one design" for the Olympics will be no different, guaranteed!

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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby kitecozumel » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:38 pm

For sure it will never be a fair game, a conflict of interest.
Neil Pryde backing Cabrinha right from its creation.
Naish ( Robby) will fight in?
Other brands?
Mike is kiting with Flexifoil?
Innovations will never be stoped, but in an Olimpyc format is every 4 years, boring.

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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby vegasrider » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:41 pm

Can't see anything about equipment there, and it might be too early to decide this already 7 years before ?

I have seen course racing this year on two worldcups in Germany and it was amazing to see what is possible. Also the spectators loved it because it is easy to follow: the first one wins...

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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby kitezilla » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:02 pm

This may motivate one of the manufacturers to devote resources and materials to the creation of the "race" kite. It would give them a leg up on the competition in becoming the chosen one for a "one design" to be used as the sole authorized model in the competition.

So far, some manufacturers produce a model kite that is "best of the breed" when used for racing, but no one has had the conviction to make a model kite and label it a "race kite". If I were such a kite manufacturer, I would be afraid that the specialized kite would not sell well... and that the final selection of the "one design" equipment would be made based more on hidden-agenda-politics, rather than on precedence, anyways.

The race is already on between different brands to produce the best race board, and they are not afraid to label their products "race" models. With the Olympics looming as a goal, will this be the year for the brands to race forward to produce the "race" kite?

Which models of the kites presently produced do you think would need the least modification to be morphed into the "race" model?

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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby Jackie Treehorn » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:08 pm

Who is this eager for this to go ahead? Olympic windsurfing is so dull even the most diehard poledancers have no interest in it - does anyone seriously think that olympic kiteboarding will be any better? If this price list for the one design windsurfing boards is anything to go by, the only winners will be thecompany who gets the contract to manufacture the equipment

Product Price Euro (€)

RS:X Board 1530.00 €
RS:X Fin 60cm – Women 85.00 €
RS:X Fin 66cm – Men 95.00 €
RS:X Sail 8.5 – Women 510.00 €
RS:X Sail 9.5 – Men 560.00 €
RS:X Mast 490 – Women 250.00 €
RS:X Mast 520 – Men 270.00 €
RS:X Boom 225-265 480.00 €
RS:X Extension 48 cm 25.00 €
RS:X Power U-Base 35.00 €

Total Men’s Package 2995.00 €
Total Women’s Package 2915.00 €

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Re: IKA officially launches Olympic Campaign

Postby vegasrider » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:16 pm

From what I know from my windsurfing buddies no one gives a shit on the RS:X. But the top guys doing kite race - Bruno Sroka, Sean Farley, Dirk Hanel - would be interesting if they are going to battle it out. As long as they do not mess it up with equipment like for the poledancers :nono:


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