13 July 2026

From White to Red Racing Suit: Valentin Bontus Begins Long Beach Olympic Test

Valentin Bontus rides a hydrofoil kiteboard in a red wetsuit during training at Long Beach ahead of the LA28 Olympic test regatta.

Quick Read

• Olympic kiteboarding champion Valentin Bontus begins the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta from 13–16 July 2026, the first major Formula Kite event at the future LA28 Olympic venue.
• The Austrian won Olympic gold in Formula Kite at the Paris 2024 Games, where the discipline made its Olympic debut.
• In California, the distinctive white race suit from Paris has given way to a red wetsuit as Bontus and his team continue testing equipment and local conditions ahead of Los Angeles 2028.

The road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles has already begun for Austrian kiteboarder Valentin Bontus. From 13 to 16 July, the Olympic champion competes in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, one of the Sailing Grand Slam events and the first major international regatta at the venue that will host the Formula Kite competitions during LA28.

For many athletes, the event is about more than results. It offers an opportunity to understand the wind, currents and local conditions of Belmont Shore, where Olympic medals will be decided in just two years.

From Olympic newcomer to Olympic champion

Valentin Bontus entered the history books in 2024 when he won the world's first Olympic gold medal in Formula Kite. The fast-paced discipline, in which athletes ride hydrofoil boards powered by inflatable kites, made its Olympic debut at the Paris Games. Unlike traditional sailing classes, Formula Kite combines high speeds, technical precision and tactical racing, with competitors often reaching speeds of more than 60 km/h while balancing above the water on hydrofoils.

Long Beach now represents the next important milestone. Almost the entire world elite has travelled to California to collect data and gain experience on the future Olympic course, making this regatta an early benchmark for the international field.

A different look on the water

During the Paris Olympics, Bontus attracted attention with an unusual white racing suit. Rather than a conventional wetsuit, it was a specially adapted aerodynamic suit developed through cooperation with Ski Austria, applying expertise from alpine ski racing to reduce aerodynamic drag during high-speed competition.

In California, however, the Austrian appears in a striking red wetsuit. The change reflects the different demands of daily training and racing on the Pacific coast rather than a shift in sporting philosophy. Equipment testing forms part of every Olympic campaign as athletes continue refining performance for varying weather and water conditions.

Forward WIP: Protection developed for high-speed sailing

The red wetsuit comes from Forward WIP, a French-Swiss company specialising in protective equipment for foiling and high-performance sailing. The brand built its reputation by developing helmets, impact vests and technical apparel for demanding competitions such as the America's Cup and SailGP before expanding into equipment for foiling disciplines including Formula Kite.

Bontus is one of the company's official athletes, reflecting the growing overlap between elite sailing technology and Olympic kite racing, where lightweight protection and freedom of movement are essential.

Austrian partners accompany the Olympic campaign

Several Austrian companies also support Bontus throughout his Olympic programme. Athletes Eyewear, whose sports eyewear is designed in Austria, supplies performance eyewear and is an official partner of Olympic Team Austria. Nutrition specialist Peeroton, another partner of Olympic Team Austria, provides sports nutrition products that support energy management and recovery during training and competition.

While much of the sporting world's attention is currently focused on the decisive matches of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Long Beach offers another glimpse into the country's sporting future. For sailing fans, the regatta provides a first competitive preview of the venue that will host the Olympic Formula Kite races at Los Angeles 2028.

Image: Olympic Formula Kite champion Valentin Bontus races on a hydrofoil kiteboard during training and competition at Belmont Shore in Long Beach, California, ahead of the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta (13–16 July 2026). Wearing a red technical wetsuit from Forward WIP, Bontus tests equipment and local conditions at the venue that will host the Formula Kite competitions during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. © ÖOC/Gabriel Koschier