Kitefoiler dies in diving accident

J.J. Rice, a United States-born kitefoiler who was hopeful of one day competing for Tonga at an Olympics, has died in a diving accident at the age of 18.

A spokesperson for the Tongan National Olympic Committee confirmed Rice’s passing to CNN and said that the organization was “deeply saddened by his tragic death” on June 15.

Rice’s father, Darren, told the Matangi Tonga newspaper that his son was free diving from a boat at Faleloa on the Tongan island group of Ha’apai when he experienced a shallow water blackout, which is when a person loses consciousness underwater from a lack of oxygen. – Full report

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 28-August 9

Details:
• Paris website: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/
• World Sailing microsite: https://paris2024.sailing.org/