Formula Kite is an Olympic sport that mainly differs from other kitesurfing modalities for the use of a hydrofoil. It is considered an extreme sport due to the great technical ability required. Regarding performance, the variables that determine performance in a real competition situation have not been studied, and even less so with Olympic sailors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the technical and tactical variables that differentiate elite sailors. The sample consisted of 42 Olympic sailors of the Formula Kite class, who were evaluated in three World Cups. Using a GPS device, the speed, distance traveled, maneuvers, and time spent on the courses of upwind, downwind, and beam reach were recorded. The highest-level sailors presented a higher speed in upwind/downwind/beam reach and a shorter time in upwind and beam reach. Performance seems to be more strongly influenced by technical variables, such as speed, than by tactical variables.

Strength asymmetries in the upper and lower limbs may affect the body movements of the joints or limbs. Although asymmetries in the upper limbs have been studied in sailors, those in lower limbs have not been evaluated in this sport population. The aims of this study were: (i) to analyze lower limb asymmetries in young elite sailors in order to quantify the magnitude of asymmetry between limbs for variables that were established as reliable in a healthy population, and (ii) to evaluate the presence of differences between classes and sexes in inter-limb asymmetries in elite youth sailors. Sixty-eight young Spanish elite sailors (9–19 years of age) participated voluntarily in our study. Single-leg vertical countermovement jump (VCJ), single-leg horizontal countermovement jump and hand dynamometry tests were used to evaluate the strength of the upper and lower limbs. More than 50% of the sailors presented asymmetries in the lower limbs. The boys’ group and Optimist class presented a greater percentage of strength asymmetry.