2013 I-to-I Recap from Zack Marks

Another great I to I race! I had been looking forward to this race for a while now. I was stoked to see more kiters participating and finishing the race this year. I was a little unsure of the conditions when I first got to the beach. I thought the breeze might taper down, so I rigged the 17m. Bad call! It was too much power. More on this later.

Things started off pretty normal off the start. Ron down at the pin, I was in the middle, and Fernando was at the boat end (I know there wasn’t really a boat). Ron and I both gave up distance not being at the boat but we got off clean. I tacked out a little earlier and headed towards the channel. Things were going well. Then WHAM! Now I’m pulling a deflated beach ball off my fins. Oh well, keep going.

Leif was absolutely cooking upwind. His angle was insane! Sailboat angle and kiteboard speed. Wow, I was blown away. After a near tangle with a fishing boat’s outrigger I rounded the PE buoy in 4th with Ron in sight and Fernando and Leif way out in front. Time to put the hammer down and show these boys how kites go off the wind. No chicken strap, stay on the outside strap. Ok so I wasn’t crazy fast, and I did bite the dust once, but I did pass Ron. Last year I ended up too low of the HI buoy so this year even though the breeze was more south I stayed in the high lane. I was not going to have any issues going deeper downwind. I tried to stay on the rhumb line between Ron and the Lighthouse. I was looking for the others in front of me but I didn’t see them.

Then I saw it. The HI buoy! On my way back south to Lauderdale, I see Ron and Fernando coming at me. Oh cool I passed Fernando. Then I see a green kite. I’m catching up to it fast. Except it’s not going south it’s coming north at me. Leif and I exchange a little hang loose sign. So I guess I’m at the front now. Hike hard, there’s swag and glory on the line! I can’t make it to Lauderdale on one tack and have to make multiple tacks back out away from the beach. My 17m with long lines was not a great choice for going upwind. I probably could have sailed the whole race on my 13. In about the last mile I have to make another tack and Ron and Fernando both pass me. I blew it. Dang. Still a great time and always a great challenge.

Thanks to Phil and Adventure Sports for the party and beer. I just got my foil yesterday so I’ve got almost a full year to practice for next time.

Zack Marks