Lauriane Nolet and Max Maeder are on a charge for the Olympics in 2024; Jen Tyler finds out what it takes to dedicate your entire life to one goal; the first time kiteboarding will be going for gold in Paris this summer!

Lauriane and Max, it’s great to have you here! Please share a bit about your background in kiteboarding and, specifically, racing. When did you start, and what were some early challenges you faced?

LN: When I was younger, I used to go horse riding. However, when I left my parents' house to go to university, I could no longer visit the ranch and had to search for new adventures. That's when my father and brother introduced me to kitesurfing, a sport that immediately captured my heart. Eager to kite even in light winds, I started foiling. Luckily, Hyères had a renowned foil training centre where I began my training under the guidance of Ariane Imbert, who was responsible for the French team and the training centre. Initially, I struggled to keep up due to my outdated gear inherited from my father. But during my first competition, my brother lent me his high-performance gear, enabling me to give my best on the water!

MM: I started kiteboarding at six because my father introduced me to the sport. He thought putting the little guy (me) onto the kiteboard would be fun. After a while, I decided to venture into racing. Surprisingly, it took me a while to master hydrofoiling due to numerous failed attempts to get on board. However, the moment I successfully foiled, it felt magical to me.

What inspired you to pursue racing and eventually aim for the Olympics?

LN: From the beginning, my motivation for training stemmed from my desire to outperform my father and brother in small regional competitions. I immediately fell in love with the vibe; these events captivated me, especially being able to compete alongside the legendary French racing team. My ambition to become a champion grew as I spent more time with these riders. My focus was to beat Daniela Moroz and claim the world champion title. However, when we received news that kitefoil would be featured in the 2024 Olympic Games, my goals shifted towards representing France on the grandest stage!

MM: From an early age, my competitive nature and love for racing have been incredibly strong, particularly in sports with racing. Naturally, this led me to the world of kiteboarding racing. However, success in twintip racing required a lot of strength and size, which I needed to improve when I was only 11 or 12. That's when I discovered foiling. Initially unaware of its future Olympic status, my drive to excel always motivated me to go above and beyond.

How do you balance training, competitions, and other aspects of your life leading up to the Olympics?

LN: Focus and physical fitness during competitions is a year-long endeavour involving the concerted efforts of my coaches and staff. We plan my calendar, carefully coordinating training camps and gym preparations for maximum efficiency. The challenge lies in accepting the importance of rest, as staying away from the water can be highly stressful. However, after several years of competing, I have developed a deeper understanding of how my body operates and now strive to maintain a consistent routine.

MM: My lifestyle revolves around my passion for training and competition. So, decisions like continuing homeschooling and not staying in one place for too long became second nature to me. Of course, I grew up travelling with my parents and being homeschooled since the beginning made finding a balance between everything much simpler.

How have FLYSURFER supported you on this journey?

LN: I recently joined the Flysurfer International team at the start of 2024. Joining such a big team is exciting, especially since Flysurfer has been the most successful brand in kitefoil racing for the past few years. I was invited to test and help develop their new VMG3 this winter. As an athlete, I find testing and following my feelings very interesting, which helps me improve my knowledge of tuning the kites I use. I'm confident the VMG3 will be a game-changer in the next cycle!

MM: FLYSURFER has always been my go-to kite brand because of the exceptional quality and engineering in every product they produce. When I used their kites and performed well in competitions, they took notice of my skills. As a result, they sponsored me with their gear for my journey in the sport and have always treated me as part of their racing team.

Can you describe when you realised you had a real shot at qualifying for the Olympics?

LN: I may have a chance to qualify for the Olympics in 2022 after achieving my first international podium at the 2021 World Championships. The French level of competition has always been very high, but being in contention for the world's top spot is a positive sign."

MM: I can't point out a specific moment when I realised how important winning the world championships was, but the moment I qualified my nation for the event and won was truly special. This achievement meant the world to me because it was the culmination of all the efforts and resources invested by the people who supported and helped me. Seeing my nation represented and being crowned champion was an experience that I will always cherish.

What advice would you give young athletes aspiring to compete in the Olympics someday?

LN: The most crucial aspect of excelling in any activity is to have a passion for it. I have a deep love for kitting, which drives me to put in all the necessary efforts to prepare for competitions. The ultimate goal should be to strive for self-improvement, constantly surpassing your previous achievements and pushing your limits further.

MM: Love your sport! Thats starts everything and is part of a solid foundation for your journey. When people see your passion and you inevitably start to do well, they will support you if you stick with it. Treasure and be grateful for that support because it is vital to helping you do well. Finally, have patience in the process; if you are very competitive and always want to do better, always look to improve as best you can, and dedicate yourself to your sport more than most others, time is the only thing standing in your way to your dreams.

What are you most looking forward to about competing in the Olympics?

LN: I am excited about the upcoming games in France. It's an excellent opportunity to showcase the awesomeness of kitefoil to my friends and family, who will be there to support me. I am determined to prove that our sport is super quick, fun, and sick, and I am confident we will succeed in making it shine. I am eager to perform at my best and bring home a nice piece of metal. Additionally, I am thrilled to share this experience with my friend Axel Mazella. We have been dreaming of going to the games together, and our dream has finally come true.

MM: The opportunity to represent my nation at such a stage, being watched by so many and showing the beauty of the sport I hold in such high regard to people who haven't seen it before.

The Olympic version of our sport is very different from what the average rider does at the weekend. Is that an issue for the sport as a whole? 

LN: I don't think it's an issue. It's similar to many other sports where the limits have been pushed to the extreme, and only a few elite athletes can perform at such high levels with specific gear. It's just like Formula 1, for example. The Olympics aim to showcase the best possible performance in a sport, which is why an average rider cannot do what we kitefoil racers do. A full-time job is required to be a kitefoil racer. However, many average riders dream of being as fast and skilled as us. I encourage them to keep practising and improving their skills. Perhaps one day they'll join us on the start line!"

MM: I don't see this as an issue at all. Why would it be? How could people be excited about an event for which individuals put in so much effort, time, and resources that only occurs once every four years for it to be something similar to a recreational weekend? The thrill, excitement, awe, and inspiration come because it is somewhat different. This is one of the reasons why the Olympics are great, not just for our sport, but for any other.

Thanks, Max and Lauriane. We wish you the best of luck!

 

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2024 Formula Kite European Championships
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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