The 2012 North American Speed Sailing Championship Invitational started on Monday and I was very happy with the first two days.
On Day 1 we arrived at Katama Bay for a beautiful sunrise and we were rigged and ready to race by 0800. I took a few practice runs on my 15 Meter Kite as the wind was 18-21 Knots. I felt really good about the lines I was drawing down the course but I felt like I had a little too much control. So I rigged bigger. Just before the 0900 Warning Signal I went out for a run on my 17 Meter kite and I could immediately feel that this was going to be the ticket. I was just on the edge of being able to hold my line and I felt that I had enough power at the end of my run. I was able to score a 36.936 Knot Average run and 36.897 Knot Average which puts me in second place.
We almost scored a second heat but a heat is only valid if two riders average over 35 Knots. Rob averaged just over 37 Knots on his Slalom board and I was just short with a 34.688 Knot average. It was good to see that again I was right at the top but unfortunate that the heat wasn't valid.
Day 2 of the 2012 North American Speed Sailing Invitational started out with cloudy skies and gusty erratic winds. Race Committee made an 0800 announcement to wait for the frontal boundary to clear and the WNW Winds to build. I arrived out at Cape Poge at 01000 hrs just as the front was clearing. You could tell it was going to be an interesting day with the cold air dropping down and mixing with the relatively warm surface temps. I rigged my 15M and 17M and went out and took a few runs on both. Immediately it was apparent that if you locked into a puff you could do some good speeds but if you didn't time it right you would suffer.
Heat 2 of the series started at 1345 hrs with Winds from 310 Degrees at a velocity of 15 knots. During the first 15 Minutes of the 60 minute Heat there were a few gusts on the course which touched close to 18 Knots. I decided to go with my 17M and it probably hurt me as I was a little overpowered in the 18 Knot puffs and got pulled off my line. I immediately made the decision to switch kites which I did quickly and efficiently as it was all rigged up and ready but the damage had been done. The larger guys on the slightly smaller kites had posted some great speeds and I ended up with a 6th.
Heat 3 was a tough one the wind was oscillating from 298 degrees to 320 degrees. Being patient at the top of the course and waiting for the right shift and right puff was huge. When you were able to recognize the right combination and take advantage it paid. The wind started out at 16-18 Knots and I was ready to strike. I went back to my 15M and it paid. The first half of the heat the course was fast and I made the most of it. I ran the course with two average speeds over 38 Knots for a scoring average of 38.327 Knots and another 2nd place.
Today is a day off as the wind is light. I will be using this time to check over my gear and make some minor adjustments.
Huge Thank You to BEST Kiteboarding, The Dancing Turtle, Gorilla Rigging, Atlantis Weathergear and my everyone else especially my family for the support.
On Day 1 we arrived at Katama Bay for a beautiful sunrise and we were rigged and ready to race by 0800. I took a few practice runs on my 15 Meter Kite as the wind was 18-21 Knots. I felt really good about the lines I was drawing down the course but I felt like I had a little too much control. So I rigged bigger. Just before the 0900 Warning Signal I went out for a run on my 17 Meter kite and I could immediately feel that this was going to be the ticket. I was just on the edge of being able to hold my line and I felt that I had enough power at the end of my run. I was able to score a 36.936 Knot Average run and 36.897 Knot Average which puts me in second place.
We almost scored a second heat but a heat is only valid if two riders average over 35 Knots. Rob averaged just over 37 Knots on his Slalom board and I was just short with a 34.688 Knot average. It was good to see that again I was right at the top but unfortunate that the heat wasn't valid.
Day 2 of the 2012 North American Speed Sailing Invitational started out with cloudy skies and gusty erratic winds. Race Committee made an 0800 announcement to wait for the frontal boundary to clear and the WNW Winds to build. I arrived out at Cape Poge at 01000 hrs just as the front was clearing. You could tell it was going to be an interesting day with the cold air dropping down and mixing with the relatively warm surface temps. I rigged my 15M and 17M and went out and took a few runs on both. Immediately it was apparent that if you locked into a puff you could do some good speeds but if you didn't time it right you would suffer.
Heat 2 of the series started at 1345 hrs with Winds from 310 Degrees at a velocity of 15 knots. During the first 15 Minutes of the 60 minute Heat there were a few gusts on the course which touched close to 18 Knots. I decided to go with my 17M and it probably hurt me as I was a little overpowered in the 18 Knot puffs and got pulled off my line. I immediately made the decision to switch kites which I did quickly and efficiently as it was all rigged up and ready but the damage had been done. The larger guys on the slightly smaller kites had posted some great speeds and I ended up with a 6th.
Heat 3 was a tough one the wind was oscillating from 298 degrees to 320 degrees. Being patient at the top of the course and waiting for the right shift and right puff was huge. When you were able to recognize the right combination and take advantage it paid. The wind started out at 16-18 Knots and I was ready to strike. I went back to my 15M and it paid. The first half of the heat the course was fast and I made the most of it. I ran the course with two average speeds over 38 Knots for a scoring average of 38.327 Knots and another 2nd place.
Today is a day off as the wind is light. I will be using this time to check over my gear and make some minor adjustments.
Huge Thank You to BEST Kiteboarding, The Dancing Turtle, Gorilla Rigging, Atlantis Weathergear and my everyone else especially my family for the support.
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