Hi,
Kite racing is not hard at all if you are openminded.
I started kitieboarding alone (without instructor)last year in april and i started directly with race board North ltd 2013 model and 17 m Ozone Edge kite.I dont encorage someone to do like i did but i think i did the best decision and have a lot of fun discovering a new world.
On the start it was scary.After few sessions i was able to go but i was quite stiff and unconfident.
After one month i start tacking sometimes without falling in water.
Now im rol tacking and doing realy long runs (100-300km) up and down the coast .
Downwind its easy but you must transfer your body weight more on front foot and not on back foot like on upwind.
These way you will force your board to go more downwind and so your kite will pull you less with les overall efort and beter VMG- velocity made good.these way also you wil minimise chances that your board wil rool over by side.
Race board is great choice for places with light to medium wind as you wil be able to maximize time spent on water.
Sory for my bad english
Have fun and ride safe