Interviews with guys who went 64 and 60mph snowkiting...

[stormboarding]

We are getting some good responses from speedy snowkiters and are psyched to start this season's ranking list (prizes are on their way from PETER LYNN, DAKINE, OZONE and ULTRA NECTAR).

Here are mini-interviews from the current top 2. They got these speeds on the same day on a lake in Minnesota last winter:

Interview with Joe Levins (64mph, skis, 11m Fuel)

-How much wind was there?
The wind was around 20-25 knots.

-What were you riding on?
It was a frozen lake with no snow but the ice had a little bit of texture from some freezing rain. it was also a warm day which made it easier to hold an edge with skis on the ice.

-How did you get to the 64...headed off downwind then turned up for the spike in speed?
I went from a beam reach and turned downwind in a puff to about 45 degrees from dead downwind.

-Did you feel all-out, like you were matching the highway speed limit?
It felt pretty fast, but with smooth ice it's pretty hard to tell how fast you are going.

Interview with Dave Rothman (60 mph, skis, 9m Fuel)...

What kind of skis were you on?
Older 210 cm Rossignol GS race skis with Derbyflex

How long have you been kiting?
4 years

What do you think you would need (equipment, conditions, technique...) to go faster?
Steady wind that's blowing at least 25-30 and bare ice that's just soft enough to maintain an edge. I can see hitting 70 with the right conditions.

**Dave got this high speed on the same day as Joe, so the wind was 20-25 knots and the surface the same textured ice

Number 3 on the list Alex Peterson, who went 55mph, did it on hockey skates...see the whole list at: http://www.stormboarding.com/pages/2/index.htm

Think snow,

rzm