With a kite in his hands, Bruce breaks speed records. A multi-talented all-rounder, he’s just as fast on the water as he is on the snow. In the midst of his Olympic campaign, he hopes to qualify Switzerland for kitesurfing’s first appearance at the Olympic Games.
Text : Pauline Katz
Bruce is no stranger to Boards, having already appeared on the cover of our second edition in 2020. Underneath his cool exterior, Bruce takes his Olympic dream very seriously. To do so, he juggles work and training, while meticulously preparing for the last two events of the year: the European Championships in Greece and the World Championships in Sardinia. Good results could open doors for him, especially as an A or B executive with Swiss Sailing. Just in time for the upcoming Olympic qualifying year.
For kitesurfing’s first appearance at the Olympics, places are at a premium. Only the top 20 nations will make it. The first eight places will be awarded next August at the World Championships in The Hague. Bruce will be there, of course, and is hoping to be one of the front runners. By finishing 19th in the World Cup stage at Lake Garda, Bruce proved he has what it takes.
With his kitefoil, Bruce gives the impression of flying and can reach a top speed in excess of 70 km/h. He points out, however, that this speed is not decisive in regattas, where race strategy and course keeping are essential. It’s on these aspects that he focuses when he has the opportunity to train in a group.
From water to snow
Although today he trains mainly on water, it was on snow that his passion for kiting began. Bruce is certainly one of the best snowkiters in the world, even if today he only practices it for pleasure. In 2019, however, he won the world’s most prestigious race, the Redbull Ragnarok. He won on snowboard, covering the 100 kilometers in 3 hrs 23 min, with his thighs on fire. The rider from GraubĂŒnden is so versatile that he had already managed to reach the podium in 2017, but this time with his skis. Although he is now focusing on his Olympic project, he intends to defend his title as soon as the race resumes after the covid.
Bruce has been a fixture on the Swiss podiums for several years now. He twice won the famous Engadine Marathon in 2019 and 2021, as well as the SKA Freestyle Series in twintip (yes, the boy is very versatile) in 2022. He also finished second in the hotly contested Swiss Kitefoil Championships in Silvaplana. Victory came down to the final heat, won by Germany’s Jan Vöster.