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FINAL HEAT - Photos and Story ... Faster Loading Version
Broadband/DSL version of the article can be found at:
http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=9169 Specific images can be enlarged at: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/albuo36/ http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._6_s.sized.jpg Large image: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._VR_6_s?full=1 Here is the last planned post with photos about the Islamorada Invitational. It covers the final competition among the Pro competitors. Unlike photos in previous postings, this one is a bit surreal as many of the images were captured from digital video on 100 X zoom. So my apologies in advance for the limited image clarity (i.e. FUZZY SHOTS!). If it helps, pretend it is an impressionists kiteboarding exhibition. To create at setting for that last day. The wind was coming through nicely side shore with an advancing cold front. The guys were popping gaggles of nice moves and styling very well even through the odd reduction in winds. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._s%20sized.jpg Large image: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...amorada_VR_5_s Trouble is a squall line was moving in and was basically ignored by most of the riders late in the afternoon. The competition had been put on hold anyway due to a shoreside wedding and a bunch of guys were out freeriding. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg Dark stuff moving in from the south bringing strong winds with gusts into the thirty to forty mph range AND a 90 degree windshift from sideshore to dead offshore. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...18%20sized.jpg Note the colorful band of weather in the radar image about to slide over Islamorada. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg Some of the late comers returning to shore get blasted and dragged by gusting winds but fortunately no one was injured. Andy Hurdman is on the front kite in blue and held his edge despite all the load and spray until the gust eased. QUESTION: W H Y DO RIDERS STILL IGNORE SQUALLS??? [img]http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/albuo64/Blown_out[img] Rain too as well as gusty winds with the mats taking to the water! http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ak%20sized.jpg The yellow kite near the central part of the frame was just depowered utilizing a leash. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg Most folks decided to pack it in after the squall hit, like Toby here. There will be another article about squalls and how EASY they can sometimes be to predict and in this case plan around by using readily available color radar available online and on the Weather Channel in the USA and other countries. The organizers were quite concerned about continuing the competion considering rider safety as were some of the competitors. Looking into some of these readily available resources, in this case would have set everyone's minds more at ease, such as are described at: http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1766 As it was they crossed their fingers, gritted their teeth, moved the venue offshore a ways and got on with it. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg So the judges and photographers mounted up on the pontoon boat for the trip offshore to hold the FINAL HEAT. Looking kind of forlorn too, heading out into uncertain weather conditions. In reality no squalls were moving in based on the radar imagery. They did take precautions including staging several active safety waverunners on standby to aid the competitors if necessary. The guys launched from shore and tacked offshore in strong, gusty offshore winds. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ut%20sized.jpg Jeff Beige is shown here just taking off. Andy Hurdman did one of those spectacular Maui Kite Beach "hot" launches. That is flying through the air about 30 ft. from the dock to slide off over the water. He later had two lines break while well offshore unfortunately. He was doing quite well in the competition up to that point. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ea%20sized.jpg The boat is on station and Andre shreds along ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...GH%20sized.jpg Ouch!? http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...up%20sized.jpg These guys were EDGING very hard. At time you could see their board seemingly at 90 degrees to the water surface trying to resist the gusts. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ll%20sized.jpg With all that wind getting nice air was no problem. Wonder if coming down was? http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...rd%20sized.jpgFUZZY but nice kiteboarding move ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ed%20sized.jpg Up there ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...No%20sized.jpg What was it Mr. Bill use to say ... OOOOH NOOOOO! http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ys%20sized.jpg One way to make it in with an offshore wind http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...in%20sized.jpg This SS Minow returns with galant crew intact .. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...rs%20sized.jpg and the awards ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ys%20sized.jpg The competitors ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...re%20sized.jpg Andre Phillips, the winner of the Pro division. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._s%20sized.jpg Large image:http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...lamorada_VR3_s The sea at the end of the day ... So, it was a fun event. Looking forward to next years session already. To summarize the winners: Winners of the Pro Division: 1st Place - ANDRE PHILLIP, Antigua 2nd Place - PETE WEISBERG, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 3rd Place - JEFF BIEGE, Lake Worth, Florida ANDY HURDMAN, was doing very well but broke TWO kite lines in honking winds during that over powered final heat. Andy won this event last year. Winners of the Amateur Division: 1st -TRAVIS DETWEILER & BETO HILLMAN tied for first. Further competition was called because of severe weather. 2nd - ZACK HLEPPE More articles and photos from this event at: MORE PHOTOS from WIND in Paradise, Day Two ... http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8565 WIND in Paradise, Day Two - Photos and Story http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8718 Action shots from Islamorada ... http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8565 Shredding in Paradise - Day One, Photos and Story http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8478 Andre Phillip of Antigua wins in the keys http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8390 Kite Leashes Suck ... ? http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8395 Islamorada, FL - Kiteboarding Events and Prime Riding http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=7272 |
FINAL HEAT - Photos and Story ... Faster Loading Version
Broadband/DSL version of the article can be found at:
http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=9169 Specific images can be enlarged at: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/albuo36/ http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._6_s.sized.jpg Large image: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._VR_6_s?full=1 Here is the last planned post with photos about the Islamorada Invitational. It covers the final competition among the Pro competitors. Unlike photos in previous postings, this one is a bit surreal as many of the images were captured from digital video on 100 X zoom. So my apologies in advance for the limited image clarity (i.e. FUZZY SHOTS!). If it helps, pretend it is an impressionists kiteboarding exhibition. To create at setting for that last day. The wind was coming through nicely side shore with an advancing cold front. The guys were popping gaggles of nice moves and styling very well even through the odd reduction in winds. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._s%20sized.jpg Large image: http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...amorada_VR_5_s Trouble is a squall line was moving in and was basically ignored by most of the riders late in the afternoon. The competition had been put on hold anyway due to a shoreside wedding and a bunch of guys were out freeriding. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg Dark stuff moving in from the south bringing strong winds with gusts into the thirty to forty mph range AND a 90 degree windshift from sideshore to dead offshore. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...18%20sized.jpg Note the colorful band of weather in the radar image about to slide over Islamorada. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg Some of the late comers returning to shore get blasted and dragged by gusting winds but fortunately no one was injured. Andy Hurdman is on the front kite in blue and held his edge despite all the load and spray until the gust eased. QUESTION: W H Y DO RIDERS STILL IGNORE SQUALLS??? [img]http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/albuo64/Blown_out[img] Rain too as well as gusty winds with the mats taking to the water! http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ak%20sized.jpg The yellow kite near the central part of the frame was just depowered utilizing a leash. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg Most folks decided to pack it in after the squall hit, like Toby here. There will be another article about squalls and how EASY they can sometimes be to predict and in this case plan around by using readily available color radar available online and on the Weather Channel in the USA and other countries. The organizers were quite concerned about continuing the competion considering rider safety as were some of the competitors. Looking into some of these readily available resources, in this case would have set everyone's minds more at ease, such as are described at: http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1766 As it was they crossed their fingers, gritted their teeth, moved the venue offshore a ways and got on with it. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._G%20sized.jpg So the judges and photographers mounted up on the pontoon boat for the trip offshore to hold the FINAL HEAT. Looking kind of forlorn too, heading out into uncertain weather conditions. In reality no squalls were moving in based on the radar imagery. They did take precautions including staging several active safety waverunners on standby to aid the competitors if necessary. The guys launched from shore and tacked offshore in strong, gusty offshore winds. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ut%20sized.jpg Jeff Beige is shown here just taking off. Andy Hurdman did one of those spectacular Maui Kite Beach "hot" launches. That is flying through the air about 30 ft. from the dock to slide off over the water. He later had two lines break while well offshore unfortunately. He was doing quite well in the competition up to that point. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ea%20sized.jpg The boat is on station and Andre shreds along ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...GH%20sized.jpg Ouch!? http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...up%20sized.jpg These guys were EDGING very hard. At time you could see their board seemingly at 90 degrees to the water surface trying to resist the gusts. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ll%20sized.jpg With all that wind getting nice air was no problem. Wonder if coming down was? http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...rd%20sized.jpgFUZZY but nice kiteboarding move ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ed%20sized.jpg Up there ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...No%20sized.jpg What was it Mr. Bill use to say ... OOOOH NOOOOO! http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ys%20sized.jpg One way to make it in with an offshore wind http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...in%20sized.jpg This SS Minow returns with galant crew intact .. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...rs%20sized.jpg and the awards ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...ys%20sized.jpg The competitors ... http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...re%20sized.jpg Andre Phillips, the winner of the Pro division. http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/..._s%20sized.jpg Large image:http://gallery.kiteforum.com/albums/...lamorada_VR3_s The sea at the end of the day ... So, it was a fun event. Looking forward to next years session already. To summarize the winners: Winners of the Pro Division: 1st Place - ANDRE PHILLIP, Antigua 2nd Place - PETE WEISBERG, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 3rd Place - JEFF BIEGE, Lake Worth, Florida ANDY HURDMAN, was doing very well but broke TWO kite lines in honking winds during that over powered final heat. Andy won this event last year. Winners of the Amateur Division: 1st -TRAVIS DETWEILER & BETO HILLMAN tied for first. Further competition was called because of severe weather. 2nd - ZACK HLEPPE More articles and photos from this event at: MORE PHOTOS from WIND in Paradise, Day Two ... http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8565 WIND in Paradise, Day Two - Photos and Story http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8718 Action shots from Islamorada ... http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8565 Shredding in Paradise - Day One, Photos and Story http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8478 Andre Phillip of Antigua wins in the keys http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8390 Kite Leashes Suck ... ? http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8395 Islamorada, FL - Kiteboarding Events and Prime Riding http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=7272 |
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