Kingscup in Phuket

I just had a very good time at Kings Cup Regatta in Thailand and in its 25th Anniversary year the event has invited the KTA to bring kiteboarding to the Kings Cup. I was very excited to get the invitation to join the largest sailingregatta in Asia and one of the most respected in the world.

We were 20 riders from 12 Nationalities and our goal was to demonstrate kiteboarding race with race management from the KTA and IKA under the watchful eye of the Kings Cup Regatta Race Director Simon James. 'ISAF is promoting kiteboarding and it could be an Olympic demonstration event as soon as 2016 in Brazil, so the Committee decided that it is likely to become an Olympic class at some point and the discipline is attracting a younger generation of sailors. Kevin Whitcraft, President of the Regatta Organising Committee explained.

The first two days were a bit frustrating as there was wind, but too far outside with the offshore winds, so even when we tried we couldn’t make it from the beach of Centara Grand Beach Resort out to the wind, while the yachts outside were racing, while all of us needed rescues cause our kites just didn’t relaunch anymore. Patience was worth is and day three held difficult conditions for us, with winds in gusts up to 25 knots and inside close to the beach 6 knots only. We still managed to do 2 nice races, which got finished first by Olivier Dansin followed by Yo from Thailand and the 2 Cabrinha riders Ken Nacors from the Philippines and Turkey tying for third place. The sailors, who were watching us either live or at night on the screen got amazed and fascinated by the kiteboarding and this is all we wanted. We wanted to show, how fast the kiteboarders can go and how exciting the kiteboardraces can be.

The next 2 days the forecast showed no wind again and it happened- but everybody was hoping for the last day with forecasted 20 knots. And the wind was there, but so gusty and on the beach again nothing! Some of the riders used one gust and made it outside and some riders were just swimming and the couldn’t make it to the start for the first race. All in all we finished another 3 races under difficult circumstances, but everybody was happy to have more results. Same battles on the water as before with Olivier winning in front of Jo and Salih.

We were only 2 girls so we didn’t count as an own class, which proves one more time, that we definitely need to motivate more girls. But I got still a price for first girl and I was happy about my 8 place in the overall ranking together with the guys.

Am back on Boracay now and hoping for the wind to start soon.

Kings Cup Phuket- Kiteboarding joins first time biggest Sailing Race in Asia

Since 4 days we have been in Phuket now. Yesterday was the kings birthday and the kings cup inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of his Majesty . Since then it developed to the biggest sailing event in Asia. We were pretty excited to hear that we gonna race together with yachts. We arrived and are still impressed by the Centara Grand Beach Resort in Karon Beach, with its amazing room setups, huge pool with a river on which you can tube through the whole hotel, the gym used by all of us, cause not so much wind and the poshest kitestorage we ever had- the ballroom. As long we are waiting for wind, we keep ourselves busy with fitness, shopping, islanddiscoveries by motorbike and go karting.
The sailors are very excited and can't wait to see us on the water- unfortunately we have been a bit unlucky with the wind so far and had an attempt yesterday and today. But today 16 of us needed a rescue as the offshore wind died when all of us were out in the sea. So we are hoping for the next few days as the wind doesnt look too bad.
Belayed Happy birthday to the King- it was an amazing dinner last night and an amazing event with the sailors from all over the world and very forward looking to combine kiteboarding with sailing regattas!

Seasonstart on Boracay- Secotrip

Its been a while and its already December. We had a good start into the season on Boracay. The Surfers Home is renovated. Isla Beach Club is open with new furniture and new ideas - Coffeecreations and homebaked cakes and every day 3 specials of the day.
This year seems to be even more busy on Boracay then ever before. Almost all instructors from last year came back. Bulabog is full with kiters in November already and more and more the kiting activities are extending to Union Beach as well.
We started with awesome guests into our new season and just came back from a Seco trip, where we saw Dolphins and had good conditions as well for beginners and advanced people. Flat crystallclear water, sunshine and such a nice group dancing in the night under the stars around the campfire. An unforgetable trip for everyone.