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Yachting World has been asking top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times, and Will Harris, co-skippering the IMOCA 60 Malizia in The Ocean Race, nominated the IKA Kitefoil. Here’s the report:
“Watching the gracefulness of kitefoil racing had me mesmerised the first time I saw it,” explains Will Harris. “It is an example of pure efficiency and use of all and any wind possible. From as low as 4 knots of wind reaching speeds of 30 knots on a 1.2m long board is incredible.”
Kitefoiling is now an Olympic sailing event, and will be making its debut at the 2024 Games. The class is a box rule, with a wide range of approved foil components, and choice of wing sizes. The foil kites use a ‘ram air’ principle so are self-inflating rather than pump-up tube kites.
“The racing looks like the kitefoils are doing a sort of ballet dance on the boards as they manoeuvre the kites and boards under their feet. It requires an unbelievable level of finesse and agility and the reward is pure adrenaline and very close and exciting racing,” adds Harris.
“I do kitefoiling myself and love it every time I go out since it’s made sub-10 knot conditions fun!”
IKA Kitefoil stats rating:
Top speed: 30+ knots
LOA: 1.55m/5ft
Launched: 2018
Berths: 0
Price: £3,000+
Adrenalin factor: 95%
For Yachting World’s list of cool boats, click here.
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