Kiteboarders will be among the fastest Olympians in any sport at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and “Heraklion 2023” is delighted to bring this event for the first time in the 3rd Mediterranean Beach Games, ahead of its debut appearance in the Olympic programme.  

The fast-paced foiling event took off on Sunday, September 10th in the waters off Ammoudara beach, on the west of Heraklion city, with a star-studded lineup of kiteboarders. The opening day included four races, out of a total of ten races which will be held in each category.  

In Men’s Kiteboarding, Frenchman Maxime Nocher, three-time World champion, is currently on top of the provisional standings with a total of 4 points (individual rankings per race: 2, 1, 1, 2), along with Cypriot Denis Taradin, who has already earned a qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics and stands in 2nd place so far with 4 points as well (individual rankings per race: 1, 2, 4, 1). Frenchman Axel Mazella, winner of the 2023 Olympic Test Event, is 3rd until now, with 8 points (individual rankings per race: 3, 3, 2, 3).  

In Women’s Kiteboarding, French Lauriane Nolot, World title holder and also winner of the 2023 Olympic Test Event, is topping the table so far with 3 points (individual rankings per race: 1, 1, 3, 1), followed by her compatriot Poema Newland, who has got 5 points until now in Crete (individual rankings per race: 2, 2, 1, 2) and Italian Tiana Laporte with 8 points (individual rankings per race: 3, 3, 2, 3).  

Action will resume tomorrow, Monday, September 11th, with four more races (5th to 8th) and the grand finale is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12th, with the two remaining races (9th & 10th), after which the final standings and winners will be decided. The eight best results of each athlete out of ten races will count towards the final ranking.