Kiteboard Vs. Formula Windsurfer Who Is King?
For the last few years on San Francisco Bay, the St. Francis Yacht Club has held races that pitted Kiteboards and Formula Windsurfers against one another. The natural question to ask: who is faster?
That used to be hard to answer, as these were mostly long distance races that were not held on the traditional Olympic style sailing course with both upwind and downwind legs.
The “Formula” in Formula Windsurfing is actually a rule developed and maintained by the sanctioning body of Formula Windsurfing. The rule limits board width at 100cm, fin length at 70cm, and allows sailors only three sails amongst its major rules.
These rules are structured to ensure that race results reflect the better sailor, not the one with the deepest wallet and newest equipment. Kiteboarding has no “formula” and is almost totally unregulated as to the equipment used.
This past Saturday in Berkeley, California, the Cal Cup Formula Racing Series decided to invite a select group of top kiteboarders to race on the same course, and start from the same starting line as the Formula boards.
Leading the contingent of kiteboarders was Ultra Nectars/Ozone Kites' Chip Wasson, who placed 2nd at the ‘09 Kiteboard Course Racing World Championships. Andrew Koch and Kevin Richards also joined Wasson.
For safety reasons the kiteboarders are a handpicked crew who have demonstrated mastery of their gear and are vetted by committee before being allowed to race.
Five races were held in near perfect conditions of between of 15-23 mph of wind and relatively flat water. The Cal Cup Formula Fleet contains some high quality Formula racers, including past Formula US National Champion Steve Bodner, ensuring any kiteboard result was going to be contested fiercely.
With 75 ft or more of kite line between kite and board, the starting line was a tricky place for the kiters. Fully tension-loaded lines on these kites can cut like a knife and must be handled with care. Right from first race, Wasson scored a third place and served notice that kiteboards have significantly improved their performance in the last two years.
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