After several active seasons in Europe, the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) is partnering with the World Ice and Snow Sailing Association (WISSA) to bring the Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships to the American continent for the first time.

The event is set to take place in Madison, Wisconsin and will feature course racing, marathon, and kite freestyle/big air.  In addition, WISSA is running course racing for sleds and wings and short track slalom.

The world's top wind-powered racers will gather on Lake Mendota to compete for the 2025 World Championship titles. This event is poised to be the highlight of the 2025 Frozen Assets festival, a beloved local event that celebrates the beauty and recreational opportunities of Madison's lakes during winter.

Using the same kites as those in KiteFoil Racing, competitors on skis or snowboards will harness the wind to reach speeds of up to 50 knots on the snow-covered Lake Mendota. 

Spectators can enjoy the thrilling action from the Edgewater Hotel’s viewing deck.

"This event is a homecoming for us Americans and a great honor to roll out the red carpet to many friendly international competitors," said Madison's Steve Cohan.

Madison, known for its unique location on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, offers a blend of urban elegance and scenic beauty.  

The city is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, adding a vibrant, youthful energy to the area.  Madison's Capitol building, completed in 1917, is a stunning architectural feat made from 43 types of stone from six countries and eight states.

The event is sanctioned by both WISSA and IKA.