TRAIN WITH THE MEXICAN CHAMPION OF FORMULA KITE, XANTOS VILLEGAS
Apply for a 2.5 week program in La Paz, BCS, to learn Formula Kite and what it means to be an Olympic athlete from the top kite racer in Mexico.
Submit your application by 11:59pm PST on Sunday July 5th, 2020.
Submit your application by 11:59pm PST on Sunday July 5th, 2020.
Do you want to be the next Female Formula Kite Olympian?
Formula Kite has been accepted as a new sport for the Paris 2024 Olympics, so the Mexican Sailing Federation is on a talent search for the woman who will train to become the next Mexican Female National Champion for Formula Kite. The women selected will be trained starting in Fall of 2020 and will spend 4 years working with the top Mexican male Formula Kite champion to go for the gold. Knowledge of kiteboarding is not required to apply.
What is Formula Kite?
Formula Kite is a form of kiteboarding that is all about speed. Unlike other kiteboarding methods that are judged by jumps and tricks, Formula Kite is a race where the fastest around the course, wins. To do this, the equipment involves a hydrofoil attached to a board that propels the athlete while they fly a kite to pull them.
Countries like Spain, France, the UK, and the USA have already started putting together programs for the female selection for Paris 2024.
An example of one of the Formula Kite style races is in this video:
Countries like Spain, France, the UK, and the USA have already started putting together programs for the female selection for Paris 2024.
An example of one of the Formula Kite style races is in this video:
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It all starts with a 2.5 week bootcamp
Up to 10 applicants will be selected to attend a kiteboarding bootcamp in La Paz for 2.5 weeks. Do you need to have a kiteboarding background? Absolutely not. What you do need is passion for the water and to thrive in competitive environments.
You will be invited to La Paz, BCS, during the month of August for 2.5 weeks to build your foundation of skills for kiteboarding, learn what it takes to be on the path to the Olympics, and make connections with other women with the same goals.
What happens next?
After this 2.5 week bootcamp, finalists will be selected to come to La Ventana to train for 4 weeks in November. During this month, we will work on kite control using an inflatable kite and there will be a mix of training with twin tip and hydrofoil.
After these 4 weeks, the winners will be selected to train in La Ventana from Jan-March in 2021. At this time, all training will be 100% with the foil board and we will also add a foil kite (a racing kite).
You will be invited to La Paz, BCS, during the month of August for 2.5 weeks to build your foundation of skills for kiteboarding, learn what it takes to be on the path to the Olympics, and make connections with other women with the same goals.
What happens next?
After this 2.5 week bootcamp, finalists will be selected to come to La Ventana to train for 4 weeks in November. During this month, we will work on kite control using an inflatable kite and there will be a mix of training with twin tip and hydrofoil.
After these 4 weeks, the winners will be selected to train in La Ventana from Jan-March in 2021. At this time, all training will be 100% with the foil board and we will also add a foil kite (a racing kite).
You will be trained by the BEST
Your potential teammate for the Olympics is Xantos Villegas, the Mexican Champion for Formula Kite. He will work directly with you from the beginning of the 2.5 week bootcamp to help you learn as quickly as possible. Xantos won the gold medal for Formula Kite at the Centroamericanos in 2018, and won 4th place at the Panamerican games in 2019 despite competing with an injury.
Xantos has also been teaching kiteboarding for the past 15 years and runs one of the top kiteboarding schools in Mexico, so you will be in good hands.
Xantos has also been teaching kiteboarding for the past 15 years and runs one of the top kiteboarding schools in Mexico, so you will be in good hands.
Your journey to the Olympics 2024
The goal of the program is for you to determine whether you have the passion for the sport to pursue an Olympic path. What does the Olympic path that look like?
Let's first go over the Olympic cycle. The next Olympics will be in Paris 2024. The year before that will be the Panamerican games, 2023. And the year before that will be the Centroamericanos in 2022. To prepare for this, we will be training heavily in 2021 and doing a world tour of competitions that will span from USA, Europe, to China.
During this time, we will coordinate with your school to offer remote or online learning if you are currently a student. You may also choose to postpone education, if that is the right choice for you.
Athletes on the path to the Olympics often are required to pay for their own equipment while they train. Equipment costs can be a challenge, however we can acquire a beginner set of racing equipment (used) including kites, board, and foil for around $7K USD. This is not a requirement for the 2.5 week bootcamp since we will provide equipment for you during that time. It is just good to understand the longer term commitment when pursuing the Olympics and there are creative ways to raise money and acquire equipment as we continue on our journey.
Let's first go over the Olympic cycle. The next Olympics will be in Paris 2024. The year before that will be the Panamerican games, 2023. And the year before that will be the Centroamericanos in 2022. To prepare for this, we will be training heavily in 2021 and doing a world tour of competitions that will span from USA, Europe, to China.
During this time, we will coordinate with your school to offer remote or online learning if you are currently a student. You may also choose to postpone education, if that is the right choice for you.
Athletes on the path to the Olympics often are required to pay for their own equipment while they train. Equipment costs can be a challenge, however we can acquire a beginner set of racing equipment (used) including kites, board, and foil for around $7K USD. This is not a requirement for the 2.5 week bootcamp since we will provide equipment for you during that time. It is just good to understand the longer term commitment when pursuing the Olympics and there are creative ways to raise money and acquire equipment as we continue on our journey.
Requirements to apply
Top of the list: Passion! Show your enthusiasm and desire to be a part of this 2.5 week bootcamp!
Other requirements:
NOT required, but could be helpful:
Other requirements:
- Be healthy and in great physical condition
- You must know how to swim and feel comfortable in open water
- Minimum age 16 years old
- Ages 16-18 must be able to have an adult travel with you
NOT required, but could be helpful:
- A sailing, windsurfing, or kiteboarding background
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
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