IKA announces multiple kiteboarding events for 2016

In October, World Sailing, formerly known as ISAF, decided to grant the Professional Kiteboarding Tour (PKT) a Special Event status. As a result, the PKT, formerly known as Virgin Kitesurf World Championships (VKWC), was authorized to crown Freestyle, Big Air, Wave and Slalom champions.

But so is IKA. Yes, kiteboarding’s soap opera continues. The governing body for the sport of kiteboarding says the El Gouna event will deliver “1000 points for the 2016 Kiteboarding World Championships ranking, an important part on the way to the 2016 World Championship titles.”

World Sailing determined that IKA could crown single-event champions, and a full schedule was released mid-October confirming that all events would take place in the second half of 2016. However, the introduction of a series of events throughout 2016 raises the question: will two world circuits be running simultaneously?

Apparently, yes. What will riders do? Will they compete in both IKA and PKT championships? Will they be penalized for choosing a single tournament? World Sailing will be forced to intervene quickly to restore faith in professional kiteboarding, otherwise the sport will not resist all the stressful drawbacks.

IKA says the complete schedule, entry and qualifying conditions, as well as the rulebook for the 2016 season, will be released in the first weeks of 2016. PKT will answer shortly. Chaos will ensue.