The Alto Sangro Ski Area will host the 8th edition of the Snowkite events

Snowkiting Championship © The International Kiteboarding Association

The best riders in the world will compete in the mountains of the Alto Sangro ski area for the 8th edition of the Snowkiting Championship. The event is a leg of a world tour promoted by IKA (International Kiteboarding Association), a member of World Sailing. The disciplines will be Course Racing, Long Distance and GPS Formula.

All disciplines in one Event

The race in Roccaraso, in the Alto Sangro ski area, is organized by A.S.D Outdoor 360 and the snowkite school in Roccaraso, SnowkiteRoccaraso.com. 3 days of competitions in the different disciplines: Racing and GPS. The first as a freeride formula, the Racing around marks. Depending on the weather and the spot we will choose the best discipline. Both GPS and Racing will have full of great show and amazing challenge for the competitors.

Racing

All the competitors will start together from the starting line to one mark up wind, and do the course twice before a finish line will be crossed, First cross is the winner. Lot of speed, tactical and technical skills are the mandatory to goes fast around the course. Maximum speed downwind could reach over 80kmh flying with wind.

GPS Formula

All athletes are equipped with a tracking system that constantly records their movements and a software that evaluates their performances. The riders will be called to achieve, in different race sessions, more kilometers, more variations in height and more distance from a starting point. Therefore there are no more pre-established routes but total freedom of their choices. The choice of the GPS format required the creation of a dedicated software that the organizers believe should be extended to other disciplines.

Niccolò de Simone - organizer of the event - explains the rules: "Rules are simple: travel in a given unit of time more kilometers, more variations in altitude and more overall perimeter coverage through the use of a GPS. These means maximum freedom of movement and the possibility to choose one's own path".

For the Mayor of Roccaraso, Francesco Di Donato the "Snowkite World Cup" represents a further opportunity to measure our ability to host a sport event that will show our area worldwide. Moreover, it is a sport that is followed with great attention by young people who represent a market segment on which we are making the most important efforts in terms of tourism promotion

We are glad to have the final racing event of the SnowKite World Cup in Roccaraso, which will crown the world champions 2022. We all hope to have the great condition, all the race area choosen by the organizers are amazing and we are keep to continue the legacy with this beautiful venue in Alto Sangro are the words from Mirco Babini, IKA President.

Why the choice of the Alto Sangro ski area

The Alto Sangro ski area is in fact particularly suitable for snowkiting for the conformity of the mountains. There are in fact large areas with slopes not too steep and with no trees which are essential conditions for the practice of snowkiting in a safe environment. In addition, the presence of efficient and well-distributed ski lifts allow a very rapid movement in the various race areas.

The organization will identify the different locations of the event day by day. Amongst the possible race areas there are the Cinque Miglia plain, Vallefredda, Toppe del Tesoro and Monte Pratello.

All info and communications will be given on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/snowkiteroccaraso.

Race Schedule

Thursday, Feb 17

18.00 - 21 Registration in Roccaraso

Friday, Feb 18

9.30 10.00 Riders meeting in Pizalto
11.00 possible Race Start (GPS, Race or Long distance)
15.30 Race ends
17.00 meeting in Roccaraso
19.00 Upload GPX File

Saturday, Feb 19

9.00 Riders meeting/
10.00 Race Start (GPS, Race or Long distance)
15.00 End of the race
17.00 Meeting in Roccaraso
19.00 Upload of GPX files

Sunday, Feb 20

9.00: Rider meeting at Pizzalto
10.00 Race Start (GPS, Race or Long distance)
14.00 End of the race
15.00 Price giving ceremony at Pizzalto