Antiguan Tiger Tyson has set his sights on the Youth Olympics as he quickly progresses in kiteboarding, and has returned from representing Antigua and Barbuda in South Korea in the recently wrapped KTA TTR Open.
Born in New Zealand and living in Antigua since he was 3 after sailing around the world with his parents, Tiger started kiteboarding at 7 years old, and began riding independently with self-launching and dropping at age 11. Now at 15, Tiger has trained with Antigua’s, and one of the world’s best kiteboarders, Andre Phillip, along with 2x USA Olympic Windsurfing Medalist Michael Gebhardt. Tiger has also begun taking on kitefoiling, a whole new take on kite surfing requiring immense skill and precision.
Tiger on a no wind day being towed around for fun. Via Alexandru Baranescu / www.kitefoilgoldcup.com
At the IKA Kitefoil Gold Cup & KTA TTR Open over May 16 – 21, drawing the worlds best kiteboarders including Kitefoil World Champion Maxime Nocher, low winds hindered the event. Because of this, no twin tip racing took place, which is what Tiger has trained for to take him toward the Olympics, as there is currently no kitefoiling for the Youth Olympics. Instead, Tiger competed in foil racing for experience as the youngest rider, with no previous foil race training, against the world's best, including Nocher. Despite this, Tiger landed 14th of 20, a great result for the young athlete. Click to read a feature on Mike Gebhardt at the IKA Kitefoil Gold Cup & KTA TTR Open, including a feature on Tiger, and click here for a wrap up of the event.
Check out interviews below during the competition with Tiger Tyson, and his coach Michael Gebhardt.
Tiger hopes to represent Antigua and Barbuda in the Youth Olympics in Kiteboarding in Twin Tip racing in Argentina in October 2018, and must first compete and qualify in competitions around the world. With only 12 spots open for the Youth Olympics for the worlds best young riders, Tiger has a huge challenge ahead. Stay tuned for updates on his journey.
