Pasty Cup

The weekend of Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th June saw the country’s top kitesurf course racers descend on Penzance for the Pasty Cup, round 3 of the British KiteSurfing Association, South West Cup.

Setting up at Long Rock on Saturday with perfect winds, 20 kites were soon rigged and ready on the beach, however by the time of the briefing the wind had picked up to 30mph and racing started at 11.30 with a reduced field of 9 riders. Racing on a windward/leeward course of a mile in length with the start/finish line in the middle, the action was fast and exciting to say the least.

At the front of the pro fleet, a good battle commenced between Lee Harvey (Penzance) and Denzil Williams (Par) until Lee snapped a line during a big crash and had to be rescued leaving Gareth Morgan (Tenby) to come home in 2^nd behind Denzil for races 1 and 2. Lee returned for races 3 and 4 taking out the wins in windy conditions now gusting over 40mph.

In the Ams fleet, Stubbie (Norfolk) sailed well in his first ever race event to take 4 bullets.

It was then all in for a Pasty lunch.

At 3pm the Penlee Lifeboat turned up along with a few Kernow Kitesurf Club members for the Long Distance race. A 4.7 mile course was set around Mounts Bay, starting at Long Rock and heading out towards Mousehole, across to the Promenade and back to finish at Long Rock. Lee Harvey came home first in an amazing time of 13.27 mins, with the rest coming in a steady stream behind, some even riding surfboards with no footstraps in super windy and testing conditions.

All the riders, helpers and supporters then tucked into a BBQ and Beer courtesy of Skinners, sharing stories of speed and near crashes.

Sunday came and what a difference a day makes. Now rigging their biggest kites the racers hit the water at 11am in nice sunny conditions. Suddenly a large black cloud came over and the wind died, leaving World champ Steph Bridge, as the only rider able to reach the start line.

After several more attempts to run races to no avail, race officer Mike Harvey, called it off at 3.30pm leaving Denzil to claim 4 out of 4 wins so far on this year’s race tour.  Prizegiving was held on the beach shortly after where a few more beers were drunk and everyone refuelled on some tasty 9 Bars.

Thanks to all the helpers without whom we couldn’t have run-

Mike Harvey, Adam Harvey, Dave Sobey on the committee boat, Rich Gowers and Quinty Bartlett on rescue, Jane Acton and Debbie Kennedy on the beach, Will Treener and the Penlee Lifeboat on the Long Distance Race and all the others who chipped in to put flags up etc.

Photos by JNP Event Photography, for More photos of the event goto there site here:

Results

Course racing

Pro-                                                                                                             Am-

1^st Denzil Williams (Par)                                                          1^st Paul Stebbings (Lowestoft)

2^nd Lee Harvey (Penzance)                                                      2^nd Mark Ward (Scotland)

3^rd Gareth Morgan (Tenby)                                                      3^rd Francesco Bolognosi (Italy)

 

Long Distance

Overall –                                                                                          Surfboard –

1^st Lee Harvey                                                                               1^st Richard Gowers (Weymouth)

2^nd Denzil Williams                                                                      2^nd Sam Robins (St. Day)

3^rd Gareth Morgan                                                                        3^rd Rich Baker (St. Just)

 

Twin Tip –                                                                                          Wipeout Award-

1^st Mark Ward                                                                                       Lee Harvey

 

Thanks to our Sponsors

Skinners Brerwery, North Kiteboarding, West Country Watersports, Freeriders, Lodey, 9 Bar, Kiteworld magazine and Golowan Festival.