First 3 windfoil races

After an early morning skippers meeting with the kitefoil crew, it was hurry up and wait for the wind time.

Skippers meeting with the kiters 

More coaching from Max

I had the 9.0 Kona sail and 76 cm wing and the Fanatic Stingray board all ready to go, stored under a tree in Lake Ontario Park. Max reviewed the course designs for the day. As predicted by the locals, a good SSW thermal blow kicked in around 2pm.

The first foil kiter heads out

We were all out on the water when the first kitefoilers headed over the line for their start. I wasn't 100% sure if they were going to run us at the same time as the kiters and wasn't at the line when our horn went. I did get going before the last two windfoilers in our little 7 person fleet. The wind was definitely in the 15 knot range.

Upwind downwind course - I only did one lap though

I headed upwind and after my first tack wondered if I'd ever make it to the upwind mark. 60 year old Bonaire resident Phil was a tack ahead of me and I kept trying to catch him as we crossed on our tacks. The last two windfoil kids eventually crossed the start line and passed me on their way upwind. Eventually after 8 tacks the upwind mark was in sight and I was dead last to round it.

I was amazed that I made the downwind leg with just one jibe. I was pretty excited when I crossed the finish line.

Then it was time for two slalom races. The first was 15 minutes long, the second just 10. Both were tiring. In each case the 4 kids were foiling and across the line right as the horn went. Us 3 older windfoilers  struggled to get going in the now lighter 10-12 knot winds. We did our laps and my jibes got better but I was never able to foil through one with the big 9.0 sail.

Race #2 - 15 minutes of slalom!

Race #3

After the races we packed up the gear and enjoyed some pizza that tasted great on the park benches. Then it was time to head our separate ways to our hotels.