US Wind and Water Open 2008 -
Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi is a very pleasant place to have a Kitesurf event. Windy 90% of the time, warm and really nice people.
The modalities were Course Racing and Freestyle. There was about 40 people competing from 12 year olds to 50. The first day we accomplished 5 races with winds blowing at an average of 15 knots. Shawn Farley is the man, the dude dominated on the guys, leaving Damien Leroy behind in 4 of those races. On the girls side, Melissa and I were in a battle in most of the races. She an amazing rider. It took lots of effort for me to stay in the lead. After winning 4 of those races I wasn’t sure I would be able to do 5 more on the next day as scheduled. My body was done! Course racing takes a lot of you body and by the end of the day I couldn’t feel my legs!
But on the second day the wind was again blowing, not so strong although enough to run a few races. So there was no other choice, we had to race. We finished 4 races and did some freestyle heats, not so successful since the wind was a little too light for the handle passers...
On Sunday and last day was a 40 knot wind day, perfect for freestyle, which I also ended up in the finals against Melissa one more time...
I had an awesome time and I’m looking forward to the next year event!
I would like to thank all of those who was cheering for me, supporting and sponsoring me in this event. A special thanks to Nil, who made everything happened.
Oh! How about the bikini contest!!? Yup, 500 bucks definitely helped out in my finances!
Aloha!
RESULTS
Freestyle:
Men
1. Mike Blomvall, Sweden
2. Rocky Chatwell, USA
3. Jesse Richman, USA
4. Jon Van Malsen, USA
Women
-
1.Clarissa Hempel, Brazil
-
2.Melissa Gil, USA
-
3.Stephanie Cruise, USA
-
4.Stacey Fonas
