Since 2012, only registered production equipment is eligible for any Formula Kite course racing events.

Formula Kite is the equipment selected for the kiteboarding event in the 2024 (and following) Olympic Games but also for Regional Games (like the Panamerican and Asian Games), World and Continental Beach Games, the World Sailing World Championships, World Sailing Youth World Championships, and the Youth Olympic Games.

The class rules governing the production and use of equipment can be found here.

 

General Timelines

 

The registration process for the 2028 Los Angeles Quadrennium will be separated in three stages:

(For reference: 2020-2024 registration scheme for RAM-Air kites and hydrofoil systems)

 

The IKA office will then raise an invoice for the initial registration administration fee based on the number of equipment items. This includes the fees for the initial factory inspection but excludes fees for 3D scanning (in the case of hydrofoil systems, conducted and invoiced for by World Sailing), and the manufacturers shall cover transport and accommodation as required. For hydrofoil systems, the manufacturers are also required to bring the equipment to be inspected (10 of each model) to a central place in Europe (most likely London) for 3D scanning.

Before submitting your intention to register equipment, please note the following information papers:
- Olympic Licensing Policy
- General Requirements
- How to determine maximum kite size
- Kite measurements
- Hydrofoil System measurement
- Registered Equipment Plaque application

         -> Registration for the LA 2028 Quad is closed

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production Tolerances

Tolerances are based on the analysis of the 2020-2024 equipment cycle.
Tolerances are intended to allow for necessary manufacturing tolerances and shall not be used to alter the design.
Inspectors will consider the following tolerances as acceptable, however any measurement must retain within the minimum and maximum dimensions stated elsewhere in the class rules.

Hydrofoil Systems

Weight

+/- 4%

General Tolerance, if not stated otherwise below  
  
+/- 0.4mm
Height / Length +/- 2mm

Chord (Mast, Wings)

- 1mm
 
Span (Frontwing, Rearwing)

+/- 2mm
 


Ram-Air Kites

Weight

+/- 4%

General Tolerance, if not stated otherwise below   

+/- 1%, or +/- 2mm, whichever is greater,

Bridle Attachment points (measured from the trailing edge)
  

+/- 1% but not more than 5mm
Solid Parts (rigid foils, battens etc)
 
+/- 1mm

Full Span

+/- 0.5%
 

Area for 21m2 (men) and 19m2 (women)

- 0.5m2

 

Fees

The initial registration and administration fees are as follows:

  • General registration administration: 5000 EUR / manufacturer
  • Per registered equipment item: 500 EUR (note: a complete glider is considered as three equipment items, additional parts are treated as additional equipment items)

Manufacturers shall cover economy class airfare, accommodation and subsistance for two inspectors for the initial factory audit. The expected duration of the initial factory audit is two full days but may increase with the number of registered equipment items.

Kite manufacturers shall make 10 pieces of each registered equipment item available for measurement in the production facilities.

Hydrofoil system anufacturers shall make 10 pieces of each item available for 3D scanning in a central location in Europe (likely London) at their own costs and pay World Sailing for the provision of 3D scanning services. The costs are expected to be 500 GBP per registered equipment item (note: a single piece glider is considered as three equipment items).

Manufacturers are required to cover economy class airfare, accommodation and subsistance for annual factory audits. The class and/or World Sailing may waive an annual in person audit or chose to conduct the audit virtually at their sole discretion.

World Sailing licensing will require a separate commercial undertakings which may involve separate licensing fees (for details please contact World Sailing).

 

Protection of Intellectual Property and Builder Information Access Policy

The International Kiteboarding Association takes protection of intellectual property serious. As a leading principle, information is only available to those who need it.

This policy lays out which information provided by manufacturers of Formula Kite equipment is available to which audience.

In addition, confidential information may be protected by non-disclosure agreements as agreed between manufacturer and class.

 

Public domain

Event Equipment Inspectors
(International Measurers)

IKA Technical Committee

World Sailing

Technical Committee Chair
and Class Secretary General

Public Measurements

X

X

X

X

X

3D CAD Files

   

X*

X*

X

2D CAD Files

   

X*

X*

X

Detailed PDF drawings

 

X

X

X

X

Basic PDF drawings

 

X

X

X

X

Schematc PDF drawings to illustrate public measurements

X

X

X

X

X

Detailed Layup

   

X*

X*

X

Materials used

   

X

X*

X

Materials datasheets

   

X

X*

X

Bridle Schemes

X

X

X

X

X

Speed System / Mixer Schemes X X X X X

Quality Control Procedures

   

X

X

X

Distribution Network

   

X

X

X

Order Worlkflow

   

X

X

X

Warranty Workflow

   

X

X

X

Measurement protocols and build reports

     

X

X

X* - information will be disclosed to this audience on decision of the Technical Committee, if required to fulfill specific duties and responsibilities.