Thanks so much to Neil Hutchinson for his vision. He held to his convictions, and waited out until the conditions were peak. We all reaped the reward of his patience and was it epic!
Winds proved nearly perfect for the couse and blowing hard! On shore at 25+ to start and never let up. As the race progresed, it turned into a broad reach for 30 miles plus. Seas were burly, well overhead and meaty sets to punish the unwary or weary. Rain squalls moved through in the morning adding challenge to an already hard core set of conditions.
With the camera crew (you guys rock) in a chopper documenting the entire event, it really made it unforgettable, at least for me. Those guys followed the leaders, then came back to get the mortals like me imortalized. I think they have footage of me in a "yard sale" after going through the rotor wash and losing kite control. I lost my board shorts(over wetsuit), but well worth the memory. If they wash up at 16th St. in Pompano, know they are donated to the race gods.
I crashed so many times I lost count, but I felt better after hearing every body crashed. I lost my board to the beach twice in 12' plus sets, did the "human ballyhoo" several times, and basically got worked for the 3-1/4 hours it took me to finish. I can honestly say without remorse I crawled onto the beach, cause I couldn't stand anymore. I dont think I was the only one, but no body else was telling
When I hit the beach, I swore I would not do it again, but after gaining my senses, hanging at the afterparty, and living the afterglow I am sure I will be there again next year. The stoke is still so strong, I cant say enough!!!! Was it hard? Of course. Was it rewarding? Like climbing Everest, only this is my Everest
Remarkable facts:
It was a clean startfor 46? entrants.
Winning time 2 hours 14 minutes ( I think)
mens winner- first event entered??????
