Update from the IKA: Looking forward to 2026 and beyond

The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) has begun to change its governance model, but not its passion. The board of directors had to deal with the resignation of the Secretary General after a number of years due to growing differences of opinion and divergent opinions about the path to ensuring a vibrant future for competitive kiteboarding.

While it’s widely acknowledged that the poor wind conditions at the 2024 Olympic Regatta in Marseille didn’t present the sport of sailing in the best possible light, the speed and dynamism of kiteboarding still excited the wider audience beyond the hardcore sailing audience.

The IKA believes that the Formula Kite Olympic class can again be one of the most exciting events in the sailing competition for Los Angeles 2028 and beyond. The changes in management demonstrate the drive for a more transparent and visionary approach that encourages growth at all levels of the sport, from grassroots up to Olympic level.

CORE OBJECTIVE

All future decisions taken by the IKA will be made with one core objective: to protect the stability, fairness and long-term health of the class, in the best interest of the sport, the athletes and the global kiteboarding community.

IKA President, Mirco Babini commented:
“We want to learn from past mistakes, listen carefully to all interested parties 

– starting with the athletes and their coaches – and make sure that we present the unique qualities of a solo sailing class that has some unique qualities which are appreciated as much by a general sporting audience as much as those who understand and appreciate our sport at a deeper level.

“A kitefoiling board can achieve up to five times the speed of the wind in just 6 knots of wind, one of the unique strengths which was really well demonstrated in the extremely light winds of Marseille. The athletes are among the fastest-thinking, most resourceful sailors in any discipline, which is why we are seeing the likes of Ellie Aldridge [GBR] Olympic gold medallist] being handpicked for roles in SailGP and America’s Cup.

“The Olympic movement is looking for closer connection with the public, and the sight of kites in the air and riders launching on to the water, and after racing close to shore, returning to the beach, is also a spectacle in itself.

“The recent World Sailing Annual Conference in Dublin yielded highly encouraging results, demonstrating broad support for our sport across the sailing community. Kitefoil racing is consistently recognised as telegenic, fast-paced, and appealing to a younger audience.

“Our core goal remains to be a vital contributor to the global sailing family. We are committed to helping maintain the relevance, excitement and broad appeal of sailing within the Olympic context, extending our vision to perform at 100% in LA2028, and obviously maintain a strong path to the sandy beaches of Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

CHUBANGA TESTING

In this context, the IKA executive committee has also concluded the discussions regarding foil equipment reliability and availability. Following close cooperation between the class, world sailing and the manufacturer, Chubanga has received approval from world sailing to commence a monthly testing and evaluation programme of corrective modifications implemented to address structural issues and improve reliability. 

Subject to successful completion, updated foils will be distributed in accordance with a class-defined replacement and distribution protocol, to be published upon final approval. The entire process will be completed well ahead of the 2027 Fortaleza World Championships, the first olympic qualifier event, ensuring stability and fairness for all athletes. Looking further ahead, the IKA is confident that kiteboarding is well positioned within the olympic movement beyond LA2028. As part of the ongoing review process for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, kiteboarding is being considered alongside other disciplines. With its renewed strategic direction, strong athlete pipeline, and clear commitment to modern, youth-focused sport presentation, kiteboarding is now more than ever determined to remain a vital part of the Olympic programme.

AGM 2026

Traditionally held after the World Sailing Annual Conference, this year we’re going for something different and in a venue where more athletes and coaches will be able to attend. We will host the IKA AGM in person in Palma during the Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta in late March. The agenda and invitations to the members will be sent out over the next few weeks.

SEASON 2026 & MEDIA STRATEGY

Kitefoiling is now firmly embedded in a number of upcoming World Sailing events and the IKA calendar. The first of the IKA events will be:

Formula Kite World Championships in Viana do Castelo, Portugal on 9–16 May
Formula Kite Youth World Championships in Cesme, Türkiye in August
Formula Kite European Championships in Akyaka, Türkiye in September
More events to be listed soon...like China, Sardinia and others new venue.

A key focus for the coming year will be developing exciting and consistent media coverage. We have assembled a highly capable team dedicated to building and strengthening our media presence. Our goal is to extend coverage beyond the core sailing community to a broader fan base in the crucial lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.