Kite Foil: Flying Into the Future of Olympic Sailing

You have surely already seen these silhouettes skimming above the water, pulled by a large wing, almost weightless. This spectacular discipline makes its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games: Kite Foil.

A unique blend of speed, flight, and precision, kite foiling is reshaping modern sailing. Here is everything you need to know about this fascinating and highly technical sport.

The History of Kite Foil: A Young but Already Major Discipline

Kite foiling was born from riders’ passion for speed and innovation. Initially practiced as a leisure activity with wings similar to paragliders, kitesurfing first belonged to the Free Flight Federation before naturally finding its place within the French Sailing Federation.

Why? Because it shares the same foundations as other Olympic disciplines:

• • • tactics

    • strategy

    • wind management

    • positioning

    • reading the racecourse

With the introduction of the hydrofoil, kiting entered a completely new dimension: flying above the water at breathtaking speeds.

Technical Characteristics of Kite Foil

The equipment is one-design: performance depends on the sailor, not on the gear.

Men’s Kite Foil

• • • Board: 1.35 m / 2.5 kg

    • Carbon foil: mast 1.05–1.10 m / wingspan 70 cm / 1.7 kg

    • Kites: 4 available sizes (25 to 9 m²)

    • Ideal rider weight: 85 to 110 kg

Women’s Kite Foil

• • • Board: same size and weight

    • Carbon foil: identical to the men’s version

    • Kites: from 21 to 9 m²

    • Ideal rider weight: 60 to 90 kg

Kite foilers adapt the kite size according to:

• • • wind strength

    • physical abilities

    • race-day strategy

Simple in appearance, but extremely demanding in execution.

What Skills Are Needed to Excel in Kite Foil?

Top kite foilers are true pilots. Their excellence relies on a rare combination of skills.

✔ Balance in Flight

Keeping the board stable above the water requires exceptional precision.

✔ Kite Control

Managing the angle of attack, line tension, and power while sailing at over 30 knots.

✔ Wind Reading

Anticipating shifts is essential to linking maneuvers at full speed.

✔ Speed and Timing Management

The right start, the right transition, and the right acceleration can decide an entire race.

✔ Total Commitment

Crashes are violent and speeds are extremely high. Mental strength plays a decisive role.

Kite foiling is a discipline where technical finesse meets courage.

Olympic Racing Format: Explosive and Intense

The kite foil format is one of the most physically demanding at the Olympic Games.

• • • 20 races over 5 days
      Four fast races per day: maximum intensity.

    • Qualification for the Medal Race
      Only the top 10 overall advance to the final race.

    • Medal Race with Double Points
      Added to the overall score, it can completely overturn the rankings.

In this final race, every mistake is costly. Suspense lasts until the very last finish line.

France: A Leading Nation for Paris 2024

France is among the world’s strongest nations in kite foiling.

Men: Axel Mazella

• • • Gold medal at the Marseille Test Event

    • Versatile in all conditions

    • Explosive starts and impressive top speed

    • Mentally very strong

Women: Lauriane Nolot

• • • Total domination at the Test Event

    • Flawless technical level

    • Explosiveness and precision

    • One of the main favorites for Paris 2024

Kite foiling clearly stands among France’s best medal opportunities.

Conclusion: An Aerial, Spectacular Discipline Destined for Success

Kite foil is:

• • • speed

    • flight

    • control

    • razor-sharp trajectories

    • commitment

    • pure spectacle

At Marseille, this discipline promises breathtaking images and a unique intensity among all sailing events.

To explore how this mastery of risk and speed can inspire your teams, discover my keynotes, immersive workshops, and executive coaching.

👉 Contact me to learn more.