The problem is primarily caused by the kitefoiling equipment on offer and an inherent inequality between the sexes. While every other Olympic sailing class provides different sail sizes for men and women, female kitefoilers are forced to use the same equipment as the men.
“Because we use the same equipment as the guys, we are always trying to match what they are doing. And most of them are 100kg,” says Aldridge. “It’s mostly guys designing kit to be as powerful as possible for other guys.”
‘I want to do another Olympics but it’s not the way I want to live my life’
Another issue is the wide range of permitted kite sizes, which further favours heavier competitors. The majority of Olympic sailing disciplines use a one-design concept to ensure all competitors broadly use the same equipment. Aldridge explains: “Everyone has the same size sail. So, if it’s really light wind the lighter people will do well, and if it’s very strong wind, the heavier people will do well.” Conversely, kitefoiling allows models from a range of manufacturers, with four different-sized kites available. Regardless of wind strength, that means heavier riders are able to hold on to bigger kites and go faster.
“So if you’ve got the skills to match your weight you’ll be better than everyone,” says Aldridge. “It’s pretty savage.” All of which leaves her uncertain of her destiny in a sport that she says must change if it is to have a long-term future. Growing up on the Dorset coast in Poole and from a family of sailors, it had long been her dream to make it to the Olympics. She was part of the national set-up, sailing dinghies, when she switched to an entirely new discipline six years ago. Her success vindicated that decision long before the sport’s forthcoming Olympic debut in Marseille, but she knows the event’s profile is huge.
Everyone involved in kitefoiling hopes the exhilarating sight of competitors seemingly floating on hydrofoils above the water at high speed will capture public attention. Then come the great unknowns. The further the elite side of the sport develops, the more apparent will be the advantage heavier female riders possess. Where that leaves smaller women remains to be seen.
“I’ll definitely aim to do another Olympic campaign … but I can’t live my life forever not doing cardio and being on weight gain. It’s not really the way I want to live my life. It is a great sport and a lot of people have now joined it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of women dropped out.”
What better way to celebrate an Olympic medal than a salad and a celebratory bike ride?