Olympic qualification conditions test for Brazil

While the Winter Olympic Games begin in just a few days, Czech kiteboarder Vojtěch Koška is already fully focused on qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Brazilian city of Fortaleza will host the 2027 World Championships in Olympic kiteboarding, windsurfing, and sailing, which will serve as the first qualification opportunity for the Olympic Games. For this reason, a Test Event for the Olympic classes Formula Kite, iQFoil, and ILCA 6 & 7 took place there from January 26 to 31.
 
The Czech Republic was represented in Fortaleza by a single athlete — Vojtěch Koška from TJ Sailing Pálava in the Formula Kite class. A total of 18 kiteboarders from around the world competed in Brazil, giving Vojtěch an ideal opportunity to test the venue where Olympic qualification could be decided next year.
 
After initial issues with luggage and health complications, everything was eventually managed in time for Vojtěch Koška to register and compete. During the event, he improved steadily and advanced to the final races from eighth place after the qualifying series. However, his quarterfinal race did not go as planned, and he finished the Test Event in Fortaleza in 9th place. Still, the result itself was not the main priority for the Czech representative.
 
“The result is not that important to me — the experience from the venue is what really matters. Now we have a much better understanding of what to expect here. As the first event of the season, it was quite demanding because everyone trained hard over the winter. It was clear that the overall level has improved and that everyone is really pushing themselves. I will definitely need to work even harder throughout the year, train more, focus on every detail, and continue improving,” said Vojtěch Koška.
 
The conditions on the water themselves were also a major challenge. “The conditions were about fifty-fifty. When it rained, it really poured — sometimes for half a day — and afterward the water was full of debris. Trash, branches, and other waste washed in from the rivers and the city, so it was basically impossible to ride. One day we went out on the water, but then we were called back because we kept crashing due to all the debris in the water,” said Vojtěch Koška.
 
The organizational side of the event was also widely criticized by all participants. “As for the organization, I found it rather weak. The facilities were not fully prepared, especially for the ILCA classes. For example, the boat launch ramp in the marina collapsed, so they could not get onto the water at all and a new one had to be built quickly. The marina itself is generally in poor condition. Most teams are now trying to put together feedback, because the majority of participants did not really like it here. In our opinion, events like this should be held in proven venues where everything already works and where the organizers have experience — places that regularly host major international events, such as Mallorca or Hyères, where everyone knows the competitions can run smoothly. We will see how World Sailing and the Brazilian organizers respond to it,” said Vojtěch Koška.
 
fter a very successful previous season — finishing 2025 in 3rd place in the Formula Kite world ranking — Vojtěch sees the Test Event in Fortaleza as another important step on the road to Olympic qualification.
 
Results: HERE