Olympic Kiteboarding Demonstration - Photos!

[ricki]

Not this time. Were there in foils in the course races in Mexico? How did they work out?

[uride2]

What kite is Gebi on here?
3 struts?

[ricki]

Gebi was on a SS Rally I understand.

[kent]

Gebi is riding for SS and that was a 3 strut Rally. Nope, foils are not legal for kite course racing currently (well, they actually may be under the rules if the foil does not exceed 50 cm). The main point is that currently they don't seem to be beating the new course boards around a course. They are super competitive upwind, but still suffer off the breeze a bit. I personally like the idea of the foil and used to have one many years ago. It looks like the new versions are much better and can be ridden in straps. I'd like to try one again some time soon.

We may do some fun course racing in the bay on Saturday witht the first race being at 10 a.m. we will probably run 5 course races and keep scores. anyone interested?

[tonykite]

If the Naples Race is a no go. I am in!

Tanguy

[kent]

yeah, if Naplea is on, we will be attending for sure. Looks like the forecast is kind of suspect. i hope it happens though. fingers crossed.

[tonykite]

Kent,
Naples race is cancelled. I am in for a ride Saturday AM if this is still a go.

Let me know.
Tanguy

[ricki]

This is what NWS forecasts, what do you think for tomorrow Kent?


Tonight...South southeast winds 6 to 9 knots near shore to southeast 10 to 13 knots well offshore. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Dominant period 6 seconds. Intracoastal waters a light chop.

Saturday...South winds 10 to 13 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Dominant period 7 seconds. Intracoastal waters a light chop.

Saturday Night...South winds 9 to 12 knots. Seas 2 feet. Intracoastal waters a light chop.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...fl&zmx=1&zmy=1

[kent]

That's more than enough for our gear. It's kind of funny that 10+ is a great forecast now. Garry, Patrick, and I will be out for sure and we may be able to get Josh Noe to stop by. I'm sure that one of the young guys from the shop will also hop on a board as we have finally received some race ready fins for the Cabrinha race board. I'd say that we will have 5+ on the startline. We will do 5 races with one through out. They will all be windward / leewards. Even if you have a good surfboard, you can learn quite a bit. Tacking and jibing come quickly with a few pointers.

Our plan is to be at Matheson by 10 a.m. and we will go from there. If something changes we will post here.

[ricki]

Gebi makes the New York Times ...

"Olympic Sailing Looks to Go Extreme

By CHRIS MUSELER
Published: February 9, 2011

The world’s top Olympic sailors were in South Florida reading wind and waves aboard two-person dinghies, keelboats and windsurfers at the recent Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta. The sailing lineup has not really been altered much in the last 20 years.

But that is about to change, and this regatta provided a sneak peek into the sport’s future.

While Olympic medalists were being towed to their courses, kiteboarders skimmed along at twice their speed attached to inflatable kites at the end of 80 feet of razor-thin lines.

A new Olympic slate of classes for 2016, proposed last fall by the International Sailing Federation, or I.S.A.F., has turned the traditional sailing fleet on its head in the hope of attracting young viewers and higher television ratings, creating a sort of X Games for sailing. If men’s and women’s kiteboarding is selected, it will replace windsurfing.

“The Olympics want to promote the most advanced levels of sailing,” said Mike Gebhardt, a two-time Olympic medalist in windsurfing who raced his kiteboard in Miami. “This is high speed, visibly athletic, there are crashes, and you can tell who’s winning. That’s what sells.” "

Continued at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/sports/10sailing.html

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