Valentin Bontus
Valentin Bontus is a professional Formula Kite athlete from Austria and has been kiteboarding for more than 15 years. Before focusing on Formula Kite Racing in 2021, he explored almost every discipline the sport has to offer, from freestyle and big air to kitefoiling. No matter the discipline, Valentin always enjoyed pushing himself, competing, and making the most of every session. Known for his positive energy and passion for the sport, he is always looking for the next challenge and the biggest smile on the water.
Nationality
Homebase
Discipline
Austrian
Vienna, Austria
Formula Kite
Insights
Favorite Kite Spot
Paros, Greece
Favorite Gear Set-Up
Racing:
VMG
SYNC Carbon Race Bar
Big Air:
SONIC
RADICAL
Personal Highlights
Valentin’s greatest achievement came at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in Formula Kite. He has also claimed two World Championship bronze medals, in 2024 and 2026, and finished fourth at the 2023 World Championships. In 2024, Valentin Bontus was named Austria’s Sportsman of the Year.
Valentin's Gear
VMG³
Race
SYNC CARBON RACE BAR
Race
Formula Kite Makes Olympic History at Paris 2024
Valentin Bontus made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by becoming the first-ever Olympic champion in Formula Kite. Competing in the discipline's Olympic debut, the Austrian delivered a dominant performance in Marseille, mastering the challenging conditions and securing gold ahead of Slovenia's Toni Vodišek and Singapore's Maximilian Maeder. His victory not only marked a milestone for Formula Kite Racing but also established Bontus as a pioneer of a new era in Olympic sailing.
