Please select your home edition
Edition
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit

Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup kicks off

by GKA Kite World Tour 31 Jan 2023 20:29 AEDT 31 January - 4 February 2023
Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup - Day 1 © GKA Kite World Tour

Round one of the 2023 Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour season kicks off today (Tuesday 31st January) with the Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup at Fuwairit Kite Beach resort with awesome, turquoise-clear lagoon conditions on the menu.

Monday saw kiteboarding's leading freestyle athletes from four continents officially register for the competition; all looking to make a solid start to this new season that's packed with World Cup events.

Variety counts!

One important element to note is that this event also sees the introduction of some new Freestyle judging format changes, adding in extra variety and excitement. You can read more about those in the liveticker notes on the event live page here.

2022 was a big year for reigning women's World Champion, 18 year-old Mika Sol who further proved her competitive dominance by taking her fifth world freestyle title as well as her first big air World Championship last year. Now set on further broadening her approach to the sport, Mika has her sights firmly set on achieving at least ten world titles in her career. Read interview with her here

The men's reigning Champion is Gianmaria Coccoluto, who won his first GKA Freestyle-Kite World Championship in emphatic style at the final event of the 2022 season in Taiba, Brazil in November. The Italian put on one of the most spell binding performances ever seen in kiteboarding competition to claim his first title - read more in this interview with him.

This is the first event to be staged in Qatar following last year's announcement that Qatar Tourism has become the Official Tourism Partner of the GKA Kite World Tour for three years, with Qatar Airways becoming the GKA Kite World Tour's Title Partner and Official Airline.

Related Articles

20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria overall
Once again, Gizzeria delivered near-perfect racing conditions Once again, Gizzeria delivered near-perfect racing conditions, with a steady thermal breeze sweeping in from the Tyrrhenian Sea across the Calabrian coast. Posted on 7 Jul
Red Bull Sailing Academy Opens
A new hub for current and future superstars to reach the top of their sport Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking the beginning of a new era in the sport. Posted on 6 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 4
It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast, and Gizzeria has put on a great show as host of the 2025 IKA Youth European Championships. Posted on 5 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 3
The invincibles stumble during qualifying The men's competition has moved into its decisive phase, with the top 22 riders now forming a gold fleet. After Saturday's racing, only the top ten will qualify for the medal series and today, the pressure began to show, even on the frontrunners. Posted on 4 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 2
Thrills and spills - with the speed came plenty of racing incidents Day 2 of the Youth European Championships in Gizzeria saw fantastic conditions that gave the racing added pace. With the speed came plenty of racing incidents. Posted on 3 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 1
Rising stars shine at Youth Kitefoil Euros kickoff Some of the world's best young kite foilers started racing today in southern Italy aiming to become Youth European champions. Posted on 2 Jul
World Sailing announces split venues for LA28
The boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port World Sailing has said it welcomes the confirmation of sailing venues for the Olympic Games LA28 the boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port. Posted on 30 Jun
Sail Canada introduces Canadian Sailing Team
21 athletes were selected based on the Canadian Sailing Team Sport Canada Carding Criteria Sail Canada is pleased to announce the list of sailors who will be part of the 2025-2026 Canadian Sailing Team. Posted on 26 Jun
2025 IKA Youth Europeans Oreview
Italy set to host the future of kitefoiling in Gizzeria, Calabria The Hang Loose Beach Club in Gizzeria, Calabria is once again poised to welcome kitefoiling's rising stars as the IKA Youth European Championships return to southern Italy. Posted on 25 Jun
X-Yachts X4.3Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One Design