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December 10, 2023 The Race Was
Run!!! 2023 NOR (Notice of Race) Thanks to the 2023 race sponsors!!! iWindsurf.com, iKitesurf.com, SailFlow.com, Windalert.com Liquid Surf & Sail Adventure Sports, Neil Pryde, JP Sandy Point Progressive Sports, Aerotech, Exocet North Beach Windsurfing Recap: Plenty of wind and plenty of shore break this year. Only two competitors made it off the beach, kiters Leif Given and Ramin Afshar, popped right out and were on time for the rabbit start with Leif being the rabbit. Windfoilers Ron Kern and Fernando Martinez made two solid attempts to time things right and get off and running. Ron's second attempt failed and his kit got washed in after not making it over a wave. Disappointed Fernando and Ron decided it wasn't going to happen this year. Meanwhile Leif and Ramin were blazing upwind to the Port Everglades channel marker. Leif rounded the PE mark after 20 minutes and was flying downwind. He crossed perpendicular to Vista Park in about 10 minutes and rounded Hillsboro Inlet channel marker with an elaspsed time of about 40 minutes. Ramin was really cruising along too, but nowhere near the speed Leif was getting on his full Olympic kitefoiling kit. With nobody else to race Ramin came into Vista Park having completed half the I-to-I in about 53 minutes. Leif completed the Hillsboro to Vista upwind leg in about 20 minutes for a total time of 61 minutes 30 seconds. It was impressive to witness. Leif Given 2023 I-to-I Winner!!! L-R: Jesse - Liquid Surf & Sport, Dave Rhodes, Ramin Afshar, Leif Given, Ron Kern, Fernando Martinez, Mike Vogt, Gary VanDyke, Jesse's dog :-)
The 2022 Race: After a few different dates proved challenging to run the race in December, January or earlier in February, the race that first happened in 2003 was off and running. The wait was worth it! Epic I-to-I conditions prevailed starting at about 9 a.m. Saturday morning with strong wind from the north and a non-existent shorebreak. After competitiors rigged, de-rigged, rigged, the race was started at 10:05 a.m. with Ron Kern taking off as a port tack rabbit to the upwind mark at Hillsboro Inlet. The course was start at Vista Park, Hillsboro Inlet channel marker rounded to port, Port Everglades Inlet channel marker rounded to starboard and finish at Vista Park. Results:
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