The Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup 2023 will launch this year’s Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour at Fuwairit Kite Beach, from 31 January to 4 February 2023.
The event is free to watch for visitors, who will be treated to an exhilarating display of freestyle kiting, which focuses on big air tricks, loops and jumps. The competition’s prize pool ensures that some of the world’s best kitesurfers are confirmed to attend, including men’s world number one Gianmaria Coccoluto and female world number one Mikaili Sol.
Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: “As the Official Tourism Partner of the Global Kitesports Association (GKA) Kite World Tour, Qatar Tourism welcomes GKA’s athletes and fans and invites them to enjoy an incredible event held at a state-of-the-art facility. We’re thrilled that the Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup 2023 is coming to Qatar, following the huge success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, as Qatar is quickly becoming a key destination for sports travel. This incredible event will only continue to build on that momentum.”
The news follows last year’s announcement that Qatar Tourism has become the Official Tourism Partner of the Global Kitesports Association (GKA) Kite World Tour for three years, with Qatar Airways becoming the GKA Kite World Tour’s Title Partner and Official Airline.
Fuwairit Kite Beach is one of Qatar’s most exciting new attractions and an upcoming global kitesurfing hotspot. The resort, which opened to guests in October last year and is designed to reflect the laidback kitesurfing lifestyle, sits on white sands beside a shallow enclosed lagoon that enjoys consistent winds and warm, flat water – perfect conditions for kitesurfing. In addition to hosting large-scale competitions and events, Fuwairit Kite Beach offers accommodation and lessons for kitesurfing enthusiasts, from those who are new to the sport through to seasoned professionals.
The Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup 2023 will not be the only time this year that Qatar will host the world’s kitesurfing elite; the Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup Finals 2023 will also be held in Qatar at the end of the year.
GKA Kite World Tour CEO, Dr Jörgen Vogt, said "The GKA Kite World Tour crew are thrilled to be able to open up the 2023 season with a super competitive Freestyle event at a fantastic, new and exciting location such as Fuwairit Kite Beach Resort in Qatar. Kiteboarding fans worldwide, as well as the competitors at the event, will once again see and experience the improving landscape for world class kiteboarding competition that our close partnership with the tour's title partner, Qatar Airways, and tourism partner, Qatar Tourism, continues to deliver."
Other key international sporting events coming up in Qatar in 2023 include the Beach Pro Tour volleyball finals, ATP and WTA tennis tournaments, Qatar MotoGP and the Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix.
To book day passes and kite surfing lessons at Fuwarit Kite Beach, visit: discoverqatar.qa/fkb
For more details on the event schedule, participating riders and the Freestyle-Kite scoring system, visit: www.gkakiteworldtour.com
