International Kiteboarding Association corona virus update
by International Kiteboarding Association 25 Mar 05:44 PDT
4-10 September 2020
2019 KiteFoil World Series - Day 3 © IKA / Alex Schwarz
The team at the International Kiteboarding Association continues to work diligently, despite these difficult circumstances.
There are a couple of areas which are affected by the continued spread of the virus, for which we want to give you an update to provide planning safety - as far as this is currently possible.
New formula kite equipment
As the timelines laid out in the Formula Kite Class Rules are based on the scheduled dates of the 2024 Olympic Games, the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games announced yesterday does not affect the class.
New equipment will become eligible to use on 10 August 2020, as originally planned. We are of course closely montitoring the development of the travel situation and the effect it might have on the availability of equipment (and the possibility to hold events at all), and will initiate further action if required.
To give teams and athletes an early indication of the possible market situation for the 2024 quadrennium, we have published a provisional list of equipment that has been registered so far with the remark "subject to approval" on the Formula Kite website. We will update this list as soon as factory inspections can take place again.
Please be aware that not all of the equipment provisionally listed may be approved for evaluation for the 2024 Olympics. Approved equipment will then be subject to licensing by World Sailing at the end of 2021.
Upcoming events
We are in close contact with our event organizers which are doing an incredible job in continuing to plan for the dates published, while making provisions together with our classes to prepare for backup dates in case postponements are inevitable.
We will publish updates individually about every event as we are getting closer in time and will make a timely decision on any required postponements.
Please follow tentative long term calendar at teamup.com/ksqdboy37i1jokng4o which is now also listing backup dates for events.
Undoubtedly tough times lie ahead; however, we remain optimistic and hopeful and believe that this unprecedented crisis will only make all of us stronger.