Is this the end of IKA ?

the 2015 worlds that have just wrapped up are a great example of how **** ika's point and rules are .

There posts popping up all over the interweb but no clear details on the "contract issues"... no doubt will be know to all soon enough.

Some more detail in this link...
kitesista.com/pkra-vkwc-isaf-ika-who-are-they-all-and-what-the-hell-is-going-on/

Lofter, since you are so keen on using the correct name, his name is Branson. Thought you should know

Funny how people always comment with zero idea of the specifics. That's the internet though I guess.

Basically what's happened is this:

PKRA (VKWC) and IKA could not reach an agreement on terms of contract. (More or less what that means is VKWC don't want to pay IKA for rights or titles etc. and both cannot agree on terms for rules etc.)

After PKRA didn't reply after being given a month to do so IKA decided to terminate the contract.

The contract was terminated and not re-signed, not only due to the fact they couldn't reach an agreement on terms contained within, but also due to the conflict of interest (Best pretty much owning/running the tour, Head Judge being accountant for Best etc.) and subsequent bias showed towards some riders in regards to many questionable Head Judge decisions.


I have no idea what will happen or what the answer to all this is, but my opinion is that no one person/brand should ever own or be in control of every aspect of a world tour (no matter the sport), it's not a good look for their own riders nor those in competition with them. This is the current situation as it stands now and unless something changes I can only say that anyone attempting to run a fairer competition would be a welcome change.

p.s. For anyone wondering, Branson has yet to attend an event.

dafish said..
Lofter, since you are so keen on using the correct name, his name is Branson. Thought you should know

are you his boyfriend?

very interesting.....
VKWC now dealing direct with ISAF
New kids on the block "Global Kitesports Association"

At that level there's not much voluntary work, its all about the $$$

Here's VKWC's Statement:

VKWC News:

Termination of contract between IKA and PKRA

Tarifa, 20th July 2015

We can confirm that International Kiteboarding Association (“IKA”) wrote to us last weekend confirming their termination of the agreement between IKA and the Professional Kite Riders Association (“PKRA”).

Negotiations for a potential new contract with Virgin Kitesurf World Championships (“VKWC”) were ongoing for many months. VKWC had every intention of replacing the PKRA in a new and improved partnership with IKA. Unfortunately the parties were unable to reach an agreement and the discussions highlighted conflicting interests in the development of the sport, support of the youth, safety, event execution and other topics.

Throughout the process the International Sailing Federation (“ISAF”) has been incredibly supportive of the VKWC and our attempts to reach an agreement with IKA. We will now deal direct with ISAF in good faith in the best interests of the sport, its riders, our commercial partners and our supporters. We are looking forward to working with ISAF to develop a successful partnership which will not only enable the VKWC to grow but also will deliver fantastic developments and growth to the sport itself.

We are thankful for the confidence of our partners and the support of the industry and riders. We will continue to liaise and keep our principal partner the Virgin Group fully informed of developments and we appreciate their valued support. The Global Kitesports Association, representing the majority of the Industry supporting the professional riders on the tour 2015, has expressed its full support to VKWC in an earlier press release. We are in close contact with all parties and met with the riders yesterday evening to assure them of our continued support and investment in them, the events and the sport.

We wish IKA the best for their future. It is our desire to make Kitesurfing grow in all areas and we will continue to support this aspiration. New public events at great kitesurf locations producing thrilling media content are part of the development plans to change the way kiteboarding is recognised globally. Freestyle Kiteboarding is one of the most spectacular sports with fantastic athletes that deserve greater exposure and recognition of their talents on a worldwide platform.

VKWC will continue to promote and host the 2015 season as scheduled. Competition format and all established rules and regulations will remain in place under guidance from ISAF.

Juddy said..
www.global-kitesports.org/


The Global Kitesports Association (GKA) as representation of interests of the Kite sports industry supports and promotes the interests of all (professional) Kite riders.

Should be interesting to see how IKA & GKA get along - or not as it appears to be already.

Grab ya popcorn & buckle up crew....looks like this show could be fun to watch (or not).

This thing is also highly miss-leading. Not all brands are a part of this, I mean they don't even list who is on-board exactly. Also in the statement they try and make it sound like all the riders are behind them and I can tell you that is certainly not the case.

PKRA don't like IKA but what they fail to realise is they are no better than them with the stuff they do.

Best Kiteboarding purchased the patent for the inflatable kite, this patent was then "donated" to VKWC. Now this patent will likely be used as some kind of leverage to convince brands to join GKA or face paying higher amounts on every kite produced. I'm not sure of this yet, but I think it's likely it will turn out something like this.

I hear Sepp Blatter is looking for a job...

AndyHansen said..
very interesting.....
VKWC now dealing direct with ISAF
New kids on the block "Global Kitesports Association"

nope!
ISAF/ IKA just announced a world freestyle championship

They are still having meetings (IKA, ISAF, VKWC) to try and come to some kind of agreement, nothing is confirmed yet. Hopefully they work something out.

dusta said..
the 2015 worlds that have just wrapped up are a great example of how **** ika's point and rules are .

Everyone knows what the rules are when the start gun goes off ;)

For racing to happen you need rules and not everybody can/will be pleased with that.As for the worlds being an example, What was bad about it? do you have an example?

There were numerous incidents on the water involving nobody but riders (so the riders have themselves to blame for getting into these situations).
There was an international jury which has no bias and a big rule book to make impartial rulings by when the riders stuff up on the water.

Sometimes riders swear till they are black and blue they are right, that's why you need a jury.There will always be one winner and one looser, depending one which one you may call a friend will usually result in what your opinion is of the rules

internationalkiteboarding.org/index.php/the-class/news-channels/22123-fuerteventura-will-go-ahead-as-ika-sanctioned-event

IKA said last week they Terminated VKWCs contract now IKA say VKWC will run the event As Contracted. Nice backflip, they should put a mega loop with it and call it an "IKALoop"