i bought the kite at wsikf, and since then the spar has been used for a total of maybe 10 flying hours, i usually use my 2 wraps. and yes it snapped cleanly along the gold tape, perpendicular to the rod, and i take very good care of my kites, and i know their limits.
By saying "breaks cleanly along the gold tape". Are you referring along the rod or across the rod.
If it is along the rod, off hand, I would guess that something crushed the rod before the REV was flown.
If it is across the rod, then I would guess it got a sharp blow from something.
Was the rod used a lot? Was it new? If so was this the first flight?
A clear photo of the break would be helpful.