Kitesurfing at the Paris 2024 Olympics – What You Need to Know!
Sun 28th Jul, 2024 @ 9:15 am
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It’s happening—it has been a long road to get here, but kitesurfing will make its debut as an Olympic sport at the Paris 2024 Summer Games. Here are some key things you should know about it!
Where is the Paris kitesurfing Olympic event being held?
The kitesurfing events at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held at Marseille Marina on the Mediterranean coast, during the summer the wind can range from 5-40 knots. The coastal city has a huge maritime heritage and provides a suitable location for kitesurfing due to its wind conditions and water sports facilities.
The area offers a mix of natural beauty and practical amenities for both athletes and spectators, there will be 330 sailors located there for the event including the kite surfers.
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When is it being held?
The kitesurfing events at the Paris 2024 Olympics are scheduled to take place from August 4th to August 8th, 2024. This timing allows the competitions to occur during the summer, taking advantage of favourable wind and weather conditions for the sport. Keep an eye on the official Olympic schedule and local updates for any changes or additional details as the event approaches.
How does the event work?
Don’t get too excited, this isn’t a big air or freestyle event, it’s not even kitesurfing as most of us know it. Kite racing has been around for a long time and over the years it has evolved into the high speed adrenalin fuelled sport that it is today. Competitors race around a course, similar to the other sailing events with a start and finish line and the course set to the conditions of the day. This is usually an upwind downwind style course, but it really depends on the race director and the weather on the day as to how it works. The event will feature 20 men and 20 women competing in races up to four times a day, battling winds that will range between five to 40 knots in races that last roughly 10 minutes. Watch for the start line tactics, with riders trying to hit the line at full speed. By the end a clear winner is usually ahead and over the line for the glory. With four full days of racing there will be a full regatta style series of races so the riders get plenty of time on the water and can recover from any mistakes, but as ever, if you want to win gold, you will need to be consistently at the top in each race.
It’s certainly exciting to watch, especially if it gets windy!
Who is competing from the UK?
The U.K. kiteboarding racers who have qualified and will be competing in the kiteboarding racing events (which are part of the men’s and women’s kitefoil events) are:
- Conner Bainbridge
- Ellie Aldridge
Both athletes have demonstrated significant prowess in kitefoil racing, earning their spots through their performances in qualifying events and selection processes. There is a really good chance for both Connor and Ellie to get medals, but there is a lot of luck involved in these events as well as pure skill. With so many competitors on the start line it is easy to have a tangle and get a bad result. For the most up-to-date information, it’s a good idea to check the official Paris 2024 Olympic website or follow updates from the British Sailing Team and the British Kite Surfing Association.
Who are the top kite racing contenders at the Olympics?
Keep an eye out for Axel Mazella, Laurian Nolot, Max Maeder, Ellie Aldridge!
When is the medal ceremony?
Medals are usually awarded shortly after the final event on the 8th of August and the closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, Aug. 11, inside Stade de France.
How Can I watch it?
To watch the kitesurfing events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, you have several options:
Olympic Broadcasting: The Games will be broadcast globally by various networks. In many countries, the official broadcaster will be the main source of live coverage.
- For instance, In the United States, NBC Sports will cover the Olympics.
In the UK, the BBC will provide extensive coverage. - In France, France Télévisions will be the primary broadcaster.
- Other countries will have their own local broadcasters, so check with your local TV provider for details.
Streaming Services: Many broadcasters offer live streaming of the Olympics on their websites or apps. For example:- NBC has the Peacock streaming service in the U.S.
- The BBC iPlayer in the UK.
- France Télévisions offers live streaming on its website and app.
Olympic Channel: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has its own channel and website, which often provides highlights, live streams, and on-demand content related to the Games. For updates, visit the Olympic Channel website.
Social Media and Apps: The official Olympic Games social media accounts (such as on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram) often post highlights, interviews, and updates. You can also check the Paris 2024 official app for live updates and coverage.
Local Sports Networks and News: Check with local sports channels and news outlets. They may also provide coverage or updates on the events, especially if significant local interests or athletes are participating.
Online Sports Platforms: Some online sports platforms or apps might offer live streams or coverage, depending on their agreements with Olympic broadcasters.
Be sure to verify the exact broadcast times and availability in your region closer to the event to ensure you don’t miss any of the action!
Get the full schedule of events and timings here
