The world of kite foiling has been left in shock after the tragic death of rising star Jackson James Rice, aged just 18. The teenager, who hails from Tonga, was set to make history as the first Caucasian to represent his country at the Paris Olympics in the kite-foiling event.
Rice’s promising career was cut short in a diving accident in Faleloa, Tonga, where he died from a suspected shallow water blackout. The young athlete had been free diving from a boat when the incident occurred, and despite efforts to resuscitate him, tragically, he could not be saved.
His devastated sister Lily took to social media to pay a heartfelt tribute to her brother, describing him as an amazing kite foiler who was destined for Olympic success. Rice, who was born in the US to British parents but grew up in Tonga, was a beloved member of the kite foiling community and had made friends all over the world.
The talented athlete had qualified for the Paris Olympics last December after an impressive eighth-placed finish at a Sail Sydney event. Kite foil racing, the sport in which Rice excelled, is known for combining elements of sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, and paragliding into one extreme and thrilling event.
