Vodišek aims for gold in the Olympics' fastest sport – Formula Kite

Fancy watching a sport that blends surfboards, parachute-like sails, and slender hydrofoils as competitors hurtle along at something like 80 kilometers per hour? Many do, which is why ‌Formula Kite racing – the fastest sport at the Summer Games – has generated considerable excitement and anticipation ahead of its Olympic debut. 

While it's a novelty for some, for Slovenian Formula Kite racer Toni Vodišek it's an everyday quest. Under clear blue skies on the vast Mediterranean, Vodišek catches the morning wind. As each gust propels him forward, his sleek board slices through the water – and as he fine-tunes his skills for the upcoming Olympics, he knows precision and agility will be crucial.

‌In his hometown of Koper, where his passion for kiteboarding began, Vodišek took a break from the water to explore the coastal streets on bicycles with CGTN correspondent Pablo Gutierrez. And as he geared up for sport's most significant event, the local community was eager to support their hometown hero.

‌"I know that my sport is not yet massive – it is growing," Vodišek remarked. "I just hope to be a good inspiration for the new generation coming up."

‌Vodišek is one of 40 competitors—20 men and 20 women—vying for gold at the Olympics. The athletes will race up to four times daily, aiming for a target time of around 11 minutes on courses approximately 10 kilometers long situated at the Marseille Marina – further along the sparkling Mediterranean. 

‌Is it exciting to be part of a sport breaking through into international prominence, on the biggest stage of all?

"Definitely, it is," smiled Vodišek. "Whenever I think about it, my heart is pounding, and for the sport to become Olympic, that steps it to the next level."

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‌Formula Kite racing requires exceptional skill, with athletes navigating hydrofoil boards at high speeds. They wear helmets, goggles, and impact vests for safety as they maneuver through challenging courses, avoiding obstacles while maintaining top speeds.

‌Vodišek's journey in kiteboarding began at a young age, under the guidance of his father, Rajko Vodišek, an accomplished windsurfer who proudly recounted the boy's history of confidently following in his father's footsteps. 

"At two years, he was skiing," Vodišek senior told CGTN. "At three years, snowboarding; at four years, monoskiing, then double skiing—so many different sports."

‌Guided by his father's expertise, Vodišek won three successive youth world championships between 2016 and 2018. In 2022 he became the European and World Champion – and in 2023, he was the world runner-up. 

Vodišek trains intensively, getting ready for the trials ahead. And like all Olympians, he knows it's not merely about muscles and coordination: much of being a champion comes from winning the battle between your own ears.

"It's not just physical - mental battles are also hard," he said. "It's not just a one-day, 10-minute regatta - it spans out for five days and a lot of time on the water."

But if anyone was born for the battle, it's Vodišek – and as a global audience watches what for many will be a brand new sport, he's hoping to be the hero of the hour.

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