SIMONE BORGI WINS AT IKA SNOWKITE WORLD CUP 2023

February 24, 2023 / Snow

Italian long-standing Ozone team rider wins the GPS Formula World Championship pure backcountry snowkite title at Rocarroso

Photos: Wareck Arnaud

INTRO – The races at this event demands tactics and skill as riders attempt to cover as much ground as possible, returning to the start gate within the given time allowance..

This innovative, freeride snowkite competition has been held in Roccaraso, Abruzzo since 2014. Participants use GPS technology to create the best track based on kilometers covered, height difference, and perimeter width within a predetermined time.

The race lasts between 30 to 90 minutes, with all participants starting and finishing at the same point. Latecomers receive a penalty, but generally the competition is a fun and free format that requires speed and the ability to read the mountain for the best wind conditions. The location offers a perfect mix of gentle Norwegian slopes and steep Alps terrain.

We caught up with Simone, whose 11 year-old-son also competes, to find out more.

The chase

Simone looping for power

Simone charging

How many people were you against and what were your aims?
There were roughly around 30 riders divided into skiing and snowboarding divisions for both men and women. I’ve been snowkiting 20 years and my goals here were to have fun but be competitive. I love freestyle but my favourite speciality is to freeride because I have the perfect conditions for backcountry snowkiting in my home spots in the Alps. I was aware I could get a good result.

What did you think would be the toughest part and what WAS the toughest part?
The hardest part was trying to make a wide track, going far from the starting point, but making sure I could return in time without making a mistake, avoiding a penalty. The wind was very light on the first day of the competition, which made reading the terrain more difficult. On my final track I had to go down a slope with virtually no wind, hoping to find wind on the other side of the mountain. Everything went well.

What was the best part (apart from winning)?
The best part of the competition was the last day at a spot called Pratello. The weather forecast came through and it was a perfect day for my Ozone Hyperlink 11m with so much fresh snow to enjoy at this amazing snowkite spot. The race was limited to one hour and I was able to just have fun without feeling any competition stress because the conditions were just so good. Once the race had finished we all headed off as friends to explore the spot further and wider. The wind was so consistent that we could go anywhere we wanted!

How pleased were you to win?
Winning is always beautiful and filled with adrenaline. This was the second race I’ve done with my 11-year-old son, Tommy and he already has an incredible level of snowkiting and this win is dedicated to him.

Follow Simone Borgi on Instagram @simone_borgi
And follow Tommy Borgi too! @tommy_borgi

Full event results can be found here.

Wareck Arnaud finished 4th on skis

The terrain is the game!

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