A 70 m² (750 ft²) traction kite manufractured by KiteShip Corporation (USA) pulled a 25 tonne (55,115 lb) Americas Cup Class yacht at a speed around 7 knots (13 km/h or 8 mph) for 45 mins in Auckland Harbour, New Zealand, on 17 December 2004.

A traction kite is similar to the aerofoil kites flown by kite enthusiasts, only far larger.