Race is on!!!!!!

[Steve-O]

The 2010 Gulf Coast Kiteboard Challenge Part 2 is on for Dec. 5th.

Consider this your 24 hour notice and all details will be coming and updated very shortly. Before noon today.

[ricki]

Great, how did it go????

[Steve-O]

There was a bit a waiting to be done, but with some good ole fashioned patience, we RACED!!!!!

Captains meeting was delayed an hour as the 8am time was tough for folks to get to. There wasn't much wind happening in the am, so the decision was made to delay the meeting till 9am. During the meeting the wind went from calm to 20+. The energy was awesome, but by the end of the meeting, the wind went back to calm. Basically the front just passed thru.

We rigged kites and waited for the wind. The skies had cleared, the race line was set, flags and horns ready, but no wind. A few guys got in the water and slugged around a bit, but it just wasn't enough. Who wants to do a 20+ mile downwinder in 10 knots? So we waited some more.

The 12pm deadline had hit and the decision was made to break for lunch and try again at 1:30.

By the time we got back from lunch it was GAME TIME. Wind was solid 18+ and building. The race sequence started at 1:30 sharp and the race began at 1:40. It was a very exciting start to say the least.

The 2010 Gulf Coast Kiteboard Challenge was under way. FINALLY!!!!

30+ riders participated with 6 being unable to finish. Ski support was provided the entire way and everyone that had troubles got back to shore safely. Ski support was provided by a Watersports West instructor.

After 20+ miles in 20+ conditions, here are the results.

Juniors
Jan Gianello
Chaz Lawerance
Drew Christianson

Open Mens
Damien LeRoy
Kent Marinkovich
Mike Hall

Women's
Tammy Moore

Masters
Scott Petterson
Rich Garner
Enrique Gianello

Sorry for any mispellings.

A great time was had at the Undertow with some nice warm food and drinks to wash it all down. We all got to watch the sun go down and that is a wrap.

Thanks to everyone that participated!!!!!!!

Chris will be posting more on exact times and info on the donation to All Children's Hospital.

A big thank you to all the volunteers that make this this happen!!!!!

[ricki]

Great job organizers and racers! Glad you got the race off.

Just found this on Garry Menk's site, http://kiteracing.com/



The course and way points

and times:



Garry provided some valuable insight on interaction of deep skegged course race boards with floating weeds. I can recall needing weed fins a lot in the Keys and sometimes in Biscayne Bay back in the day for windsurfing. Good stuff to think about in future kite races. Thanks Garry!

"Well after getting up at 3am, and driving 5 hours we finally made it to Clearwater Beach for the start of the gulf coast downwind race. Wind was due west at about 12. The course boards looked really promising. Wind switched due North so the comity decided to postpone until 1:30 for a bit more breeze and a better direction. They made a great call wind jumped up to 18 with enough side shore in it to work for the twin tips. As for me, the course board did not work. It was like riding in a bowl of seaweed soup for the first 15 miles. Yes 15!!! The weeds parted and the course board made some ground. I managed to scream by 10 or so. Overall a super fun event with great friends. Thanks to the organizers!!"

I can recall spinning out on windsurfers striking weed but on a much lighter, less penetrating kiteboard at 30 mph, hitting a nasty weed snag could be a totally different sensation!