Postby longwhitecloud » Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:33 pm
"The non compete thing was resolved without riders being banned."
That doesn't make this behaviour acceptable, one that scares the pro riders away from other comps that barely make ends meet. Absolute lowlifes targeting a group of riders that had already been messed around enough.
As it turns out the potential bans here from IKO (with World Sailing approval) on pro freestylers failed big time. IKO completely failed in their bid to control freestyle kiteboarders, kite surfers with these tactics. After all their claims of ownership as they liked to quote themselves "of all kitesurfing disciplines on water" lol! it amounted to nothing, actual kiteboarders stood up, and good riddance to them.
World Sailing are next.
$15 million US in funding from IOC, and they delivered self proclaimed world titles that don't even cover expenses, but that is ok because the GKA brands will pay their teamriders to go - less competition - better exposure for them.
Go to places like New Cal, Brazil, NZ, SA, Australia and there are kids that will blow many of these kook$ away.
Nothing like supporting 3rd world ,developing country and non Eurocentric riders as mandated.
World Sailing and the GKA have their very own kItekook circus.
Kitesurfers... proud sailors? What planet are these people on. Kiteboarders never would say and never said they were sailors/ sailing, it was just made up for financial advantage.
Respect kitesurfing, it's history, and it's grassroots pioneers. Don't just make things up!
World Sailing Kite Kooks.
Get the message loud and clear, get your own ship in order and stop interfering in another sports business.