2012 Race Recap by Ron Kern

The pre-race.   The forecast was so good that it didn't look like it would matter which day the race was.  It seemed like a great opportunity to take advantage of being able to do a pre-race clinic for any competitors that wanted tips before the race, attend the Dave Kalama SUP clinic, and go to the Adventure Sports grand opening party with a bunch of watersports people, by having the race on Sunday.

The i-to-i clinic spent most of the time learning how to analyze and plan a successful launch into shorebreak, a bit of sail tuning and gear selection for windier conditions.  Dave Kalama's SUP clinic was about how to most efficiently paddle.  The attendees were completely engaged learning the philosphy and reasoning behind Dave's race-winning paddle stroke.  I would have never thought an hour-plus of how to put a paddle in the water and pull it back could be so riveting.  It was!  We followed up the land session with about a half hour of on the water practice and coaching.  The Adventure Sports party was huge with an open bar, keg, food, and a band.  Only a few of the i-to-i competitors took advantage of free food, drink and prizes that almost everybody went home with.  Neil Pryde himself was in attendance and looked like he was enjoying the party a lot.  I even remembered to bring in the blue coffee table book, Will to Win - The Remarkable Story of Neil Pryde Limited, a prize from last year's i-to-i and have it autographed.

Ron Kern & Neil Pryde

Race Day.  Sunday we had the skipper's meeting at 9:30 a.m. which answered questions and gave the course for the race. The wind was about 15-22 mph averaging about 18 mph.  Formula sailors rigged sails from 9.5m to 8m and 66cm to 58cm fins.  The Hobie Cat Fleet 44 was preparing to launch for the 40th anniversary of the Commodore's Cup race at 11 a.m.  They were delayed when a cat flipped in the surf launching but got their race off around 11:15. We had a final skipper's meeting on the beach so everybody could synchonize watches and prepare for the race start.

The start and to Port Everglades Inlet channel marker, (PE).  Everybody made it out through the surf with no mishaps.  The start time approached and off we all went.  Zack Marks on the Mike's Lab kiteboard took an early lead and rounded first by about 100 yards.  My thoughts were to control the urge to hammer down and I was comfortable with letting him round first, not that I could do much about it.

Upwind leg to Hillsboro Inlet marker, (HI).  Zack had only maintained the 100 yard lead after an equal tack to mine.  Upwind was easier than the beam reach out to the PE marker which was going through some rough water at higher speed.  I was glad I hadn't pushed any harder on the first leg because it became apparent after just a few hundred yards that my angle and speed was just enough better that I would overtake him.  After a mile or so I was out in front and was pretty convinced it would be one tack for me.  Above the Pompano Pier I could see that Zack was much to leeward and considerably behind.  The leading Hobies crossed my upwind path as they headed downwind.  The HI marker approached and was an easy jibe rounding and now it was time to just concentrate on sending it downwind to the finish. 

Downwind leg to finish.  The water was relatively smooth and the going was reasonably tame, especially compared to some of the downwinders in the past.  The 9.5m and 64cm fin I had selected was just the call.  I did manage to lose it once and lost more time than I would have liked with a rather slow double uphauling excercise.  Back on track for the finish, I passed the Hobie fleet until all 6 were behind me with about 4 miles to go.  A squall came up with some rain and for a while things were sped up and then the wind backed off to nearly non-planing downwind conditions and then came back with enough wind to easily plane and finish.

Finish line.  Woo hoo!  Done.  I had played things right and won the race feeling like it was the easiest one ever. 

Party.  This year's party was at our house for pizza and beer.

Awards.  Thanks again to the generosity of Adventure Sports, Neil Pryde, JP, Sandy Point Progressive Sports, Aerotech, Exocet, Liquid Surf & Sail we had plenty of awesome prizes which were awarded after pizza & beer.  The i-to-i does build up your appetite!

Wrap up.  It was a great race again this year. It was fantastic to see new entrants along with the veterans.  I was really happy everybody listened this year and came with phones in waterproof cases and nobody needed to use them!

Next Year.  Hope to see you all back next year along with some new entrants. Give it a try!  Keep December 7-8, 2013 open on your calendar.  Thanks to all for helping make the event happen.  10 years now!

Ron