Doha: The first round of the 2023 Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour season begins today with the Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup at Fuwairit Kite Beach from January 31 to February 4.
The event follows last year’s announcement that Qatar Tourism has become the Official Tourism Partner of the Global Kitesports Association (GKA) Kite World Tour for three years. On the other hand, Qatar Airways becomes the GKA Kite World Tour’s Title Partner and Official Airline.
Kiteboarding’s leading freestyle athletes from four continents will participate in the events, including defending male and female champions Gianmaria Coccoluto and Mikaili Sol. Qatar’s Rashid Al Mansoori will represent the country in the competition. According to organisers, the season starter in Qatar is being held under some of the best conditions for kitesurfing and kiteboarding.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the launch event yesterday, Sol – defending Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle-Kite World champion, said the competition in Qatar is an opportunity to experience new cultures.
“This is the first event of the Qatar Airways GK World tour. Yeah, it’s a pretty sick spot,” the 18-year-old said.
“Honestly, I haven’t been kiting here before, but it’s a unique place and very different from anywhere else I’ve been. And yeah, it’s just a great experience and to go around and meet new people and see new cultures is just amazing.”
The American-Brazilian said she expects conditions to be excellent for competition.
“They’re pretty good,” Sol said of the weather conditions, which organisers deem one of the best, adding, “I mean, the only thing that’s a little iffy here is the current. But the current does stop. It does subside at some point in the day. And then it’s perfectly flat water, and it’s just a great spot.”
Meanwhile, Sol, who already has six titles added she aims to end the season with eight championships in two disciplines.
“I would like to continue being a world champion if I win here. I’m doing two disciplines this year. So if I win the big air event and the freestyle event at the end of the year, I’ll have eight titles. So hopefully, that will happen. That’s my goal this year,” Sol said.
The event is free to watch for visitors, who will be treated to an exhilarating display of freestyle kiting, which focuses on big air tricks, loops and jumps.
The lineup for the competition is expected to have 28 or 14 competitors (men usually have 28, and women typically have 14). The Freestyle-Kite competition format will still see the four highest-scoring tricks counting to a rider’s heat score from a total allowance of seven trick attempts. Also, a new variety score will be added at the end of the heat once the judges have assessed a rider’s overall performance.
Fuwairit Kite Beach is one of Qatar’s most exciting new attractions and an upcoming global kitesurfing hotspot. The resort opened to guests in October last year and is designed to reflect the laidback kitesurfing lifestyle, sits on white sands beside a shallow enclosed lagoon that enjoys consistent winds and warm, flat water – perfect conditions for kitesurfing.
In addition to hosting large-scale competitions and events, Fuwairit Kite Beach offers accommodation and lessons for kitesurfing enthusiasts, from those who are new to the sport through to seasoned professionals.
