Strong start by Heinekens at Kiteboard Course Race Worlds

Boao, China (November 20, 2013) – The 2013 Kiteboard Course Race World Championship (Nov. 20-24) got underway today, with 111 men and 26 women competing in the opening series.

Reigning kiteboard racing world champions, Americans Johnny Heineken and sister Erika, continued where they left off the at last year’s finals in Italy. The siblings proved they were the duo to beat, scoring bullets in all their races on the first day of competition at the course racing championships being hosted by China for the first time.

But Johnny Heineken (USA) did not have it all his own way as he had to share the top spot on the leader board with Florian Gruber (GER), who was competing in a separate fleet as the men were split into three groups, also scored perfect points in his four races.

The sailors from more than 40 countries enjoyed almost perfect conditions as winds of more than 20kts blew steadily over Boao’s King Bay, Hainan, throughout the full day of action at the International Kiteboard Association’s (IKA) course racing world championships.

The five-day event to crown new world champions for men and women – who were racing in one 25+ strong fleet – is organized and managed locally by Kite Tour Asia (KTA) and the resort of King Bay, which is serving as the main sponsor.

Racers agreed that they liked the course that had been laid almost the length of the bay. But many found the two-metre swell breaking on the reef near the weather mark especially challenging, causing spills even among the top riders, before it was moved to shorten the track slightly.

Even Johnny Heineken admitted he suffered a few moments in the conditions but was stoked with his performance, particularly as he found himself racing in a competitive flight that included the likes of men’s number one seed Riccardo Leccese (ITA), Brian Lake (USA) and Maxime Nocher (FRA).

“I’m racing in a strong fleet, so I’m very happy,” said Heineken. “So far it’s going well. The conditions were perfect for my 10m kite. I sailed pretty cleanly and didn’t get into any bad situations. Sure, I had a couple of spills, but everyone else had problems too.”

Several of the men’s races had troublesome starts with several tangles downing multiple kites that drew gasps from the Chinese spectators watching the drama unfold. They had lined the beach which was carpeted with hundreds of multi-coloured kites pumped, ready for action.

After each of the men’s fleets completed four races Jhon Mora (CAY) was third in the overall standings, followed by Wilson Veloso (BRA), Oliver Bridge (GBR) and Tomek Janiak (POL).

In the women’s fleet Bridge’s mother, Steph Bridge (GBR) gave Erika Heineken a run for her money but was forced to follow her across the finish line in each of their three races, with the American’s speed and near flawless performance giving her an unbeatable advantage.

“It was perfect,” said a beaming Heineken, wading ashore carrying her board after chalking up another win. “I fell in love with my 10m Ozone Edge today, and crossing my fingers for more of that tomorrow. They moved the course in a little, so it’s no longer in the breaking swell. The chop was crazy there.”

The young Russian kiter Elena Kalinina was also obliged to trail in Heineken’s wake, but was delighted to finish the day third in the overall standings.

The mens fleet will continue its qualifying series tomorrow with another 4 races scheduled, while the women are racing in a single opening series throughout Saturday before heading into the medal race series on Sunday 24 November.

MEN
1. Florian Gruber (GER, Temavento/Ozone)
2. John Heineken (USA, Mikes Lab/Ozone)
3. Jhon Mora (CAY, Mikes Lab/Ozone)

WOMEN
1. Erika Heineken (USA, Mikes Lab/Ozone)
2. Steph Bridge (GBR, North/North)
3. Elena Kalinina (RUS, Temavento/Elf)

Full Results: Men – Women

Day One photos

Event website

Source: IKA media