A mixed relay race format was trialled at the Formula Kite World Championships in Lake Garda ©International Kiteboarding Association

A new mixed relay race format was trialled at the Formula Kite World Championships in Lake Garda and will be used when kiteboarding makes its debut at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

America's reigning Formula Kite world champion Daniela Moroz and partner Evan Heffernan top the standings with six points after five races.

Just behind them are France’s Alexia Fancelli and former world champion Maxime Nocher, and Russia’s Elena Kalinina and Denis Taradin. 

Both pairs have seven points. 

The new round-robin format involves the man and the woman racing one lap each of the track, with the second team member only beginning their lap when the other one finishes. 

The adoption of the mixed team relay format was necessary after kiteboarding was approved as one of sailing's 10 events at Paris 2024 and was allocated one Olympic medal.

The Formula Kite World Championships are taking place in Lake Garda ©International Kiteboarding Association
The Formula Kite World Championships are taking place in Lake Garda ©International Kiteboarding Association

This came with a stipulation that there should be gender parity in the event.

“This format’s pretty cool,” Heffernan said. 

“The changeovers were very smooth, though we could do better. 

"And perhaps the races could be a little longer, so that they’re more tactical and enable you to make up for mistakes. 

"But it was great fun.”

The World Championships continue tomorrow.