Paris 2024: Bontus and Aldridge win First Ever Formula Kite Olympic Races
Mon 5th Aug, 2024 @ 5:30 am
Valentin Bontus and Ellie Aldridge achieved victory in the first-ever Formula Kite races at the Olympics. In the Men’s Kite category, Austria’s Bontus won the opening race and secured second place in the following race, giving him the overall second rank after four races. Toni Vodisek from Slovenia also started strong with second place in the first race and a win in the third race. Former world champion Vodisek had the best performance of the day and leads the standings, just ahead of Bontus. Max Maeder, a teenage sensation, won the second race of the day but did not finish the last race, leaving him tied for third place with Bontus.
In the Women’s Kite event, Aldridge from Great Britain made history by winning the opening race and then came in second place in the following two races. The overall rankings show that France’s Lauriane Nolot narrowly leads over Aldridge, with both athletes having the same points. Daniela Moroz from the USA joined in the competition and finished third overall after winning the fourth race.
Bontus said: “Crossing that finish line of the first race in the lead, it was an amazing feeling. I tried to stay calm because it’s just one race of many that I want to win here.”
Aldridge said: “Winning the first race of a new Olympic discipline was cool. My coach always says the first race of the day is the easiest to win. I’m glad I could just get a good start and get out in front. It was really cool.”
Nolot said: “It’s quite a good feeling to be leading after day one, although it’s not properly leading because I’m on equal points with Ellie. “I have been waiting for this moment for so long, and it’s a bit horrible to be starting last because all my friends are racing or they have finished already. I am sharing a room with Charline [Picon] so it’s pretty good to have someone who brings good vibes. She’s giving me energy, so it’s pretty sick.”
Moroz said: “It’s almost like the first day of school jitters, but this time it’s the first day at the Olympics, you know. So I got those jitters out of the way in the first couple races and I felt like I had a really solid couple of races. It’s good just to put some solid scores on the board.”
Vodisek said: “It’s really exciting to get a bullet on the Olympic stage. I didn’t know that I was in first place until I found out from reporters. That’s pretty cool I guess. “I’m going home to play a video game, League of Legends. I hope I can win that too.”
How it Works
Opening Series:
- On the first four days of the competition, riders compete in up to 16 races, with the objective to earn as high a ranking as possible. The top two at the end of this Opening Series qualify automatically for the Grand Final, while those ranked 3rd to 10th go into the Semi-Finals.
Semi-Finals:
- Those 8 remaining riders are split into two equal-strength semi-finals. The goal is to pick up three race wins, with the higher-ranked rider in each semi-final carrying over two race wins, while the second in each semi-final carries over one race win. One rider from each semi-final qualifies to make up a final four in the Grand Final.
Grand Final:
- The leader from the opening series starts with two race wins, and the second-ranked has one. The goal is to secure three race wins, with the competition ending as soon as someone achieves this. That means that the Grand Final can last from a single race to as many as six.
Follow the broadcasters, tracking & results!
Credits: International Kiteboarding Association
Text credits: World Sailing
Mon 5th Aug, 2024 @ 5:30 am
