longwhitecloud wrote:
A focus away from just formula/box rule and maybe more towards slalom, twintip/surfboard racing
(...)
There is many types of kiteboarding, and nobody forbid to enjoy any of these.
But i think kiteboarding IS ALSO a true variant of sailing; and this variant is NOT gymnastics; nor surfing waves; nor even wakeboarding.
The guys in San Francisco did a great job by setting up a type of board made to go truly upwind (forget twintip) , and doing well on a 'traditional' racing track. And thus, most importantly, add tactics to the game; just as there is tactics in sailing race.
Everybody should learn how to position on a start line, go upwind, set a strategy depending on weather conditions and other people around you, use priority rules, tack on a shift, etc. When you learn the basics, it become a real fun strategy game, adding brain - and not only speed (and gear efficiency) - to the game. And for that, it needs the best upwind abilities (close hauled).
From what I heard, the main argument from bureaucrats against kite in the Olympics was safety: we should stop to advertise kiting (i.e. making video shots) as only a "jump discipline".
I think IKA should have set up a one design board (the one that has the best VMG, maybe similar to the Mike Z one) and let the box rule for kites (depending on kiter's weight & wind conditions).
It would have convinced people who said that "kiting is not ready", "goes in all directions" or "not mature enough".