Kafka Conquers Competition
The fifth evening of the 2009 Cabrinha Race Series once again saw a great turnout with 35 racers on the start line. Wind was a bit up and down with racers not sure if it was going to pick up or decline, so 11-13s were the call. Winds were from 16-23 at Anita at the first start, and slowly dropped throughout the evening to 12-20. Wasson and Headington were leading the 2009 quest to date, Kafka (2007 Champion) was on a borrowed board, Richman was on a new stick just received from Alex Aguirrea, and Paolo Rista was testing yet another of his board design and was on the new 2010 Cabrinha Crossbow.
Check out very nice short video by Jamy Donaldson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYV3f5HCW2s
Well, it was Jeff Kafka (Cabrinha), basically wire to wire with three first place finishes, (1,1,1) and 3 points, He was followed by Chip Wasson (Ozone) with 7 pts (2,2,3), with Adam Vance (Naish) third with 13 pts (3,5,5) The top three were then followed by the youngster Alex Smith (RRD) with 17 pts (5,4,8) and Eric Due (Cabrinha) with 19 pts (7,6,6).
The first race saw Kafka, Chip and Vance first to the windward mark and then racing around the course in that order. At the finish, Kafka nipped Chip by only 4 seconds.
The second race experienced a general recall as too many riders were over early to call them out individually. Some, like Kafka actually raced to the windward mark before they realized a restart was required. The second start had Kafka and Alex Smith starting on port; port was obviously favored as they smoked the fleet with Kafka, Alex and Chip at the windward mark. At the finish line it was Kafka over Chip by 15 seconds. It was also on this second start that the largest tangle I have personally seen in five years of racing occurred…some 7-9 kites.
Check out some great shots of the BIG Tangle by Nico Osterman:
http://www.bayareakitesurf.com/blog/ind ... itemid=165
The third race again saw Kafka start on port but was joined this time by several more racers.
It was again Kafka and Chip first to the windward mark. It appeared Chip had an issue at the mark and Kafka took advantage of the opening and was first to the leeward mark and finish by some 8 seconds
During the first race, Headington tangled with another rider, has filed a protest, and will most likely receive redress which will place him third overall with 11 points if I am correct.
There are obviously several protests pending regarding the Big Tangle in the second race and several riders will receive redress, but I do not believe they will affect the outcome at the top.
Obviously, Kafka’s borrowed board worked out very well for him. Richman had trouble adjusting to his new board and finished 8 overall, and Paolo’s testing…well he was involved in tangles in the both the first and second races (DNF) but was 2nd in the third race. And Wasson and Headington…they continue to lead the overall series.
After Racing, awards for the the Cabrinha Mini Series #1 (first four races) were presented:
Wasson 4 pts
Headington 6 pts
Viljoen 10 pts
Gomes 18 pts
Vance 18 pts
Kafka 19 pts
The Cabrinha Race Series is sponsored by Cabrinha, Ozonetravel, Adventure Sports Miami, and hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club
