(More photos below)

While Johnny Heineken dominated his competitors from the very first race, Steph Bridge had some problems in the beginning, when Katja Roose (NED, Airush) scored the first two bullets in 20 knots offshore wind and flat water. The other two races of the day saw Steph in front. Heineken kicked off the first event day with 3 bullets and a RDG for second place. 2010 world champion Adam Koch (USA, Ozone) came out of day one with one bullet, two seconds and one third place, leaving Bryan Lake (USA, Cabrinha), Sky Solbach (USA, North) and Julien Kernieur (FRA, Takoon) behind. {source}
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The first day ended in 6 of the top 10 places being occupied by the US team, and the remaining slots claimed by team France - and this battle was supposed to go on.

Day two the wind turned onshore and the sea became more choppy.
Unfortunately after the first race of the day, the committee boat had an engine break down which resulted in the remaining schedule for the day being cancelled with not much change in the rankings.

With increasing winds the waves became higher and higher, and day 3 saw already whitewater all over the competition area. Three more races were completed before sunset, and it was always more or less the same order:

Heineken in front of Koch, and then either Brian Lake, Sky Solbach, Julien Kernieur or Damien Leroy (USA, Cabrinha). Same in the womens fleet, the usual order became Steph Bridge ahead of Katja Roose and Nayara Licariao (BRA).

Day 4 came, and it started to become survival training, not only for the competitors but especially for the boat crews of the race committee and the rescue jet ski drivers. Waves were rolling in at 3 meter high, breaking up to 200 meters from the beach, and it was more than once that the committee boat was completely airborn in the 20+ knots breeze. But at a world championship there is no way to stop racing, and so another 4 races were completed leaving not much room for changes. Rolf van der Vluigt (NED, Airush) and Bruno Sroka (FRA, Cabrinha) slowly found their way into the mens top 10, completed by Maxime Nocher (FRA, North) and Chip Wasson (USA, Ozone).

Caroline Adrien (FRA, Cabrinha) scored some 3rd places and was able to defeat Melissa Gil (USA) to fifth, but the results became solid with not much chance for a change.

Day 5 and 6 forced the race committee then to abandon any racing as it was impossible to get the boats out of the harbor and drive them up to the event side 15 km against wind and waves which in the meantime had built up to 25+ knots and 4-5m high at the south tip of the island. As there was no way that the results would change significantly on the podium the racers were not too diappointed to be allowed to stay on shore.

In the end, Johnny Heineken wins with all races won except two, and Steph Bridge with all races win except three. The kiteboarding world has found worthy champions.

The new production division was won by Sky Solbach (USA, North) and Steph Bridge (GBR, North)

RESULTS AFTER 12 RACES (3 DISCARDS)

MEN

1. John Heineken (USA) 6.3 points

2. Adam Koch (USA) 16.4 points

3. Bryan Lake (USA) 34 points

4. Sky Solbach (USA) 36 points

5. Julien Kerneur (FRA) 39 points

WOMEN

1. Steph Bridge (GBR) 6.3 points

2. Katja Roose (NED) 14.1 points

3. Nayara Licariao (BRA) 24 points

4. Caroline Adrien (FRA) 32 points

5. Melissa Gil (USA) 35 points

PICTURES

1020: Rough conditions for the 80 participants from all over the world, courtesy REEMEDIA Axel Reese

These dozen pictures may not be enough to show you everything you’ll get out of Cabrinha’s Kite Camp with Susi Mai, but they’re a good start. Check out what you’re in store for July 25-30, and then click here to learn more about this six-day, six-night kiteboarding paradise in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.

photos: Tracy Kraft and Jens Baur

Kite-O-Ween 2011 will be held on Sunday, August 28th 2011, at 1:00pm in the afternoon at the Squamish Spit in Squamish B.C. It’s a hilarious, fun filled, light hearted, non serious costume day where kite boarders get dressed up in costumes and compete, while kite boarding the windy Howe sound, for a chance to win prizes.
Last year S.W.S. experienced a tremendous turn out of participants and spectators a like. Even some dogs got dressed up! This year the contest will be similar to last year and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each of the following categories: Best Freestyle in Costume, Best Big Air in Costume, Best Overall Costume, and the Nobility Award. The Nobility Award is bestowed upon a kite boarder in costume who displays outstanding sportsmanship or “Kitemanship” during the contest portion of the event.

Contest entry fee is by donation to the Squamish Windsports Society. To qualify for the contest kite boarders must be dressed in a costume, have their own gear, and be fluent with the sailing rules of the spit. Contest registration will be held at the spit bunker before the event at 12:00pm.

Every one is invited. Kiters, non kite sailors, spectators, photographers, families and friends are encouraged to put on a costume and join the fun. So start getting your costumes and cameras ready, and be sure to be there to see a sight most people have never seen before!

The Squamish Windsports Society is a non-profit society providing sailors with access to a high wind sailing location where the Squamish River meets Howe Sound. Non members are required to pay a $15 day fee to launch at the spit. Annual memberships are available at the society website, here: http://www.squamishwindsports.com/membership/index.php

The house was packed that evening with live music from Mojo Collins. Steve Meyers and Mojo’s Sunset Café provided a meal for ticket holders and paying guests of savory shrimp and steak. Both were hits but the show-stopper began as the first girl hit the runway. Eight lovely ladies displayed seven hot swimwear brands including O’Neill, Billabong, Sensi, Rip Curl, Jennifer Harmon, Volcom and Hurley.

Other highlights included the ongoing silent auction with prizes such as POC sunglasses, cases of Choco Tacos and Nike apparel. The tables were crowded with bidders. Money was raised through three avenues: ticket sales, silent auction bids and finally the raffle. With a grand prize of a Liquid Force Kaos Kiteboard, 2 Liquid Force party chairs, LF hat, LF tee and stickers, who could resist?!

The evening concluded with more music from Mojo Collins, the blues favorite. Overall, the team raised $5436. Thank you everyone for your support.

For making this possible thanks to the following: REAL Watersports, Mojo’s Sunset Café, Ocean Atlantic Rentals, Spa Koru, Sunset Salon, Outer Beaches Realty, Hatteras Realty, Dave and Spunky Loop, Bryan Elkus photography, Kiteboarding Magazine, Nike 6.0, POC, Reef, Robert August, Liquid Force, Dragon, Von Zipper, Stance, SBC Kiteboard Magazine, Airbound, LTR, Down Under Restaurant, Dakine, Judith Schulz Photography, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Cineaptic, North Beach Campground, Ocean Gourmet, Atlantic Coast Café and Jamie Armstrong.