Configuration
The most common configuration for a sports kite is a roughly triangular "delta" shape, with two lines for control. These kites are normally constructed from lightweight ripstop nylon or ripstop polyester with spars made from carbon fiber tubing. The flying lines are made from braided ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, which is light, does not stretch and stays slippery even when wrapped many times. To control the kite, the pilot pulls on the right hand line to turn right, left line to turn left, and so on. The pitch can sometimes be controlled by walking/running forward or backwards, giving the lines different amounts of tension. Using a combination of pulls and pushes (to give slack to the lines), complex tricks and patterns can be flown. These range in difficulty from turns, loops and landings, to maneuvers where the kite is flipped and turned end over end, wrapping the lines or floating on its front or back. During diving maneuvers sport kites may reach speeds of 60mph, while in stall type maneuvers they can remain nearly motionless. This type of stall allows for various other acrobatic maneuvers to be performed.
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