Half Axel

Definition:

The trick starts with the kite flying horizontally in either direction, then falls onto its belly, turns nose away from the pilot, and rotates 180°. The kite is then snapped back into flight with the nose pointing exactly opposite the initial direction and should exit in a straight line.

Key Elements:

Clean half-turn. Horizontal entry and exit

Judges view:

No drop of speed just before the trick, the trick is executed close to the center of the window, not losing height > the horizontal line before the trick is the same line when the kite flies the other direction. Half height of the window or lower.

Most common errors:

change of height when entering the trick, not a straight line when flying out of the trick. Half Axel done near the edge of the wind window.

In the first video one can see the change of height and speed just before the kite enters the trick. The second video is better.