The 2014 North American Championships for Formula and Foil Class kiteboard racing are being held this week off of the CoronadoShores beach. The event is hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club and features many of the top racers on the world kite racing stage competing off our beach in the area known to the sailing community as “Coronado Roads”.
Two classes of kite racing are being contested with the Formula class featuring boards with deep fins which have been the preeminent racing vehicle for kiteboarders until the explosion in popularity and development of foilboards since last year’s season. Foil racing was included as a second racing class by popular demand. Foilers can be seen flying over the water surface with the foil slicing through the water below while making little more than a small rooster tail of spray whileattaining speeds of 20-30 mph. Racers will compete in 3-6 races per day as the wind allows to battle for place rankings. Friday marks the final day of racing where the North American champions for 2014 will be crowned. Races typically begin around 12 pm and conclude at 4-5 pm, with the wind being the ultimate determining factor. Racers need 6-7 knots of wind speed to begin racing.
Races were scheduled to begin Monday the 6th, however, weather influenced by Hurricane Simon caused uncharacteristically calm wind conditions and high surf, causing racing to be cancelled for Monday. Tuesday saw winds pick up for a brief 2- hour period where two foil races were able to be contested before winds again fell calm. Wednesday saw the return of light afternoon seabreezes allowing several races in both classes to be contested. Racers are holding crossed fingers for Thursday and Friday to provide solid wind conditions to make a strong competitive finish for this years championship.
See the link to the official competition website:
