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Old 06-14-2012, 05:55 AM
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Default 14 Years Silke Gorldt Surfing

From Kiteforum, RIP Silke, your tragic sacrifice and the resulting improvements in kiting gear have likely has saved many others from death and injury throughout the last decade.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toby
10 Years Silke Gorldt Surfing

By now it’s already 10 years: the fatal accident of the reigning German Champion in kitesurfing and top rider of the PKRA World Cup, Silke Gorldt. On the 7th of June 2002, during the Fischland-Darß-Kitesurf Tour in Zingst at the Baltic Sea, a series of unfortunate events led to the death of the 24 years old Silke.



Today’s safety systems probably would have prevented this tragic accident. Quick-release and other safety components on the kite didn’t exist those days. A pity that such an accident had to get things going, as from this day on the kitesurf industry started investing in safety systems. These have now developed into reliable systems to be found on every kite on the market.

Silke’s accident didn’t only cause the manufacturers to change focus and invest more in the development of the new systems. Also the retail market and the media started paying more attention to the topic safety in kitesurfing. Moreover, the education of kitesurf instructors and instruction standards were improved, in order to avoid accidents. All in all, the sport will never be hazard free or without accidents, but the new focus on safety definitely prevented (and still does!) a number of severe accidents and provided for a more safe kitesurf exercise.

Silke’s accident led to the establishment of the Silke Gorldt Surfing e.V. (SGS), which laid the basis for the first supporting measures of the kite-surfing youth in Germany. Every year SGS offers Kids Camps and Pro Camps for youth, in which the children and youth learn how to kitesurf with a focus on safety aspects. The Kitesurf-Trophy supports the SGS with three Wildcards per Pro Camp, enabling the participation in the national competitions taking place three times a year.

Silke Gorldt was the best female kitesurfer and an important stakeholder in the scene and young sport of kitesurfing. The 24 year old from southern Germany studied Political Science in Oldenburg and had great success in national and international kitesurfing contests. At last but not least, the loss and tragic death of a unique personality and an outstanding athlete did indeed (and unfortunately) serve a purpose in the sport of kitesurfing.

In memory to Silke Gorldt, SGS sincerely invites you to the ‘Zingst Sportstrand’ on the 15th of June 2012 at 18:00 pm.

The Silke Gorldt Surfing e.V (SGS) is a non-profit association promoting children and youth in the kitesurf competitive sport through focus on a safe and responsible introduction to the sport of kitesurfing. Young kite-surfers have the possibility to learn and train under full support and encouragement. Through training camps and individual attention will the talented and motivated youth kitesurfers be enabled the participation in and accompanied through German and International competitions.

Donation account:
Silke Gorldt Surfing e.V.
Konto-Nr.: 6603210795
BLZ: 100 500 00

E-Mail: info@silkegorldtsurfing.de
Web: www.silkegorldtsurfing.de
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2376161
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Last edited by ricki; 06-14-2016 at 04:56 PM.
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Old 06-14-2012, 10:25 PM
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Some more background, reposted from Facebook:

"F.L. How did she die?"

"S.B. German Silke Gorldt, one of the best kiteboarding ladies of the world, died today at the worldcup in Germany. Th following happend: one kiter let go of the kite and bar and his equipment got tangeled in Silkes lines. the kite started to spin in winds of 6-7 Bft and got so much power that Silke was dragged behind it over two wooden wavebraker and the beach before stopped before a fence. She died on the way to the hospital in a helicopter. When she got dragged she tried to get out of the loop, but couldn't get out of it.

Rick Iossi That sums it up well. In the early days, we were often unable to simply unhook when the kite was fully powered up. We weren't strong enough, the forces could move a car at times. It took several years for reliable quick releases to hit the market after her accident but the tragic occurrence galvanized the industry to create such devices. Some may recall that in the early days kite leashes were common, then were discarded as uncool and interferences with tricks. Anyway, after her accident concerted efforts were devoted to developing spinable kite leashes across the industry. The emergence of wake style kiting in large measure spread the use of kite leashes throughout the sport. Folks got tired of chasing kites more than worrying about runaway kites, either way, it was a turning point for the sport. We have Silke to thank for these measures coming about. Some of us were calling for such reforms prior to that time but her sacrifice pushed things over the top. Rest in peace Silke."
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Old 06-14-2016, 04:35 PM
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A time to look back on Silke's tragic accident 14 years past and the strong impact her sacrifice had on our sport and eventual improvement in safety. Her terrible accident in large measure launched the development of Quick Releases (QR) or "brakes" (why would we ever need brakes?). It may not have been totally obvious in the early days but there were circumstances in which it was infeasible to manually unhook, the load was simply too strong. A mechanical release was needed which wouldn't be disabled by high kite loading. In time this reality came out again underscored by Silke's terrible accident. It took several years of T&E for reliable QR to be developed but her loss along with common sense underscored the need for such devices. Her loss also motivated the restoration of the use of kite leashes along with the development of "trick friendly" designs. The growth of wake-style kiting also promoted leash use as kiters grew tired of chasing down their kites after busted moves. Our sport has come a long way but still has room to develop. Thank you Silke and rest in peace.
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