Unfortunately as we all know in wind sports, the wind does not play ball and the forecasters get it wrong – today was that day here in Daecheon, which sadly left the riders beach bound for the day. However, for the KTA Media team it was a chance to look behind the scenes a little and while the video team descended on the crew and officials, the kiteboarding worlds race reporter took the opportunity to update the sports biggest story, that of the 2020 Olympic Games. Daecheon Beach, Boryeong — Kiteboarding hopes to earn a place on the Olympic stage at the Tokyo 2020 Games after World Sailing (WS) proposed it as one of two “showcase” disciplines to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In a late February WS Council meeting delegates decided men’s and women’s kiteboarding events should grace the XXXII summer Olympiad, along with keelboat racing, in addition to sailing’s existing 10 medal disciplines. The IOC will consider the proposal in the coming months, but any final move on the “showcase” events would come after the decision about the Olympic medal events in July. As the wind refused to play ball on the second day of the IKA KiteFoil …
IKA Kitefoil Gold Cup
KTA South Korea: First Days in Daecheon
The KTA has arrived at our second stop of the season for the IKA Kitefoil Gold Cup and KTA TT:R Open. Our event site for the week, Daecheon Beach, Boryeong is situated on the West coast about a 3 hour bus ride south of Seoul. South Korea is somewhat further flung than our regular stops, being a 5 or 6 hour flight away from most of the team bases in the South East. Upon arrival, it didn’t take long to realise how far north we had come. Boardshorts and t-shirts were quickly swapped for jeans and jumpers, and Neil even pulled out his winter flip flops. Accessing Boryeong isn’t hard, thanks to the insanely efficient airport bus system. The buses run like clockwork, and are kitted out with big comfy armchairs, making the trip easy and enjoyable. The only downside is that there are only a few buses a day, and as we just missed one we ended up having to wait in the airport for 5 hours for the next. When we eventually hit the road to Boryeong, it gave us the chance to have our first look at the Korean countryside. For many it was nothing like what …
