These disciplines are so new in the sailing world that there are few competitors at senior level over the age of 30. Just as teenagers dominated the podium when skateboarding made its debut Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2020 a year ago, it’s quite possible that teenagers will win medals in these new foiling disciplines at the next Olympic Games in two years’ time.

Among the world’s best at senior level is Singapore’s 15-year-old Max Maeder, winner of the Youth Worlds last year in Oman. Already weighing more than 90kg and strongly built for his young years, Maeder has been winning events against all the senior riders on the Kitefoil World Series. “I’m so happy to have the privilege to compete with all of the best youth riders around the world and wish them the best of luck,” said Maeder.

“It feels like a great honour to represent your nation at such a big event, and I think the atmosphere on and off the water will be incredible.”

Last year’s silver medallist in the female kitefoiling division, Julia Damasiewicz (POL) is back to see if she can get to the top of the podium in The Hague. Having won the most recent Kitefoiling World Series event in Traunsee, Austria, the 18-year-old Polish rider broke the incredible winning streak of 32 consecutive international regatta wins over the last six years by five-time Formula Kite World Champion Daniela Moroz (USA). Damasiewicz will surely be hard to beat in Scheveningen, although last year’s youth bronze medallist from France, Héloise Pegourié, has also displayed world-beating form at times this year.