4. August 2026
The VMG Story
From SONIC to VMG. The Road to Olympic Gold.
The VMG story did not begin with one kite. It began with a mindset: to make foil kite racing faster, more precise, and more reliable in real competition. From the first high-performance race concepts to Olympic gold, every step was driven by the same ambition.
The development of the VMG has always been shaped by people who live the sport. Designers, athletes, test riders, and partners worked together on the water, on the racecourse, and behind the scenes to turn experience into performance.
2015–2017: From SONIC-FR to SONIC RACE
The journey began in 2015 with the SONIC-FR. Guided by FLYSURFER founder Armin Harich and test rider Peter Müller, it set new performance standards and laid the foundation for our future in competitive racing. In 2016, the SONIC² continued this development. After targeted refinements, it became a strong success, and its profits were reinvested into the SONIC RACE project. With Florian Gruber joining the team, valuable race experience and clear feedback entered the development process. In 2017, the SONIC RACE marked a breakthrough with its integrated brake on both A and B levels. Young talents such as Maximilian Maeder and Olly Bridge joined the team, and early race victories confirmed FLYSURFER’s position on the international racing stage.
2018–2019: The VMG Era Begins
In 2018, FLYSURFER introduced the SONIC RACE VMG. The new model addressed the limitations of earlier designs and gave riders more performance, confidence, and focus for regatta round-course racing. That same year, kiteboarding was announced as part of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. For the whole team, the project gained a new dimension. Racing was no longer only about winning events. It became about preparing equipment for the highest stage in sport. Signing Daniela Moroz was an important moment in this journey. Her trust in the team and the equipment strengthened FLYSURFER’s position in kitefoil racing. At the ANOC World Beach Games in Doha, Daniela Moroz won gold in the women’s fleet, while Florian Gruber took gold in the men’s fleet.
2020–2023: The Rise of the VMG²
After years of refinement and countless development steps, the VMG² became the next major breakthrough. Designer Benni Bölli and Theo de Ramecourt spent months in San Diego testing details and pushing the concept further. Theo’s path from athlete to kite designer brought a unique perspective into the process, combining race experience with technical development. When the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way the team could work, development continued in Europe. Despite the challenges, the VMG² exceeded expectations and became a defining product in foil racing. With athletes, designers, and young talents such as Maximilian Maeder contributing to the process, the VMG² marked the beginning of a dominant phase on the racecourse.
2024: Olympic Gold and the Next Chapter
By 2024, the VMG² had become the benchmark in foil racing. At the Paris Olympic Games, every athlete on the start line raced with VMG² kites. For FLYSURFER, this was more than a product success. It was the result of years of development, trust, and collaboration with athletes at the highest level.
Valentin Bontus won Olympic gold. Lauriane Nolot claimed silver. Maximilian Maeder took bronze. Watching FLYSURFER athletes turn years of work into Olympic medals was a defining moment for the entire team. At the same time, the next chapter had already begun. With the VMG³, FLYSURFER continues the development path toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Looking Ahead
The VMG story is built on long-term development, honest feedback, and the belief that performance must prove itself in real competition. From the SONIC-FR to the VMG³, every step has been shaped by people who brought their experience, ambition, and trust into the process. Designers, athletes, testers, and partners all played a part in turning a race kite project into an Olympic benchmark. The goal remains the same: to keep pushing foil kite racing forward with equipment that gives athletes the confidence to perform when it matters most.
