Redcar Finals
Redcar
Dates – 8-11th October 2009
Sponsors – EDF Renewables, Redcar and Cleveland Council
Tour Sponsors- North, Flexifoil, Red Bull, Buff, Deadman, Alan Radios, King of Watersports
The final round of the BKSA Kiteival at Redcar was the last event of the year.
Over 100 competitors registered for the event on the stunning beach in the Tees Valley.
Thursday kicked off with light Westerly winds; however things soon picked up and the Pros hit the water for the Freestyle.
The Wind hit 20 knots and competitors were on 10 metre kites
The Pro Ladies managed to get all their heats done with tour leader Hannah Whiteley taking the win ahead of Helen Thompson and Nicky Rudd
However with a veering and dropping wind the three Pro Men were unable to complete their final – which was extremely disappointed for all concerned
Friday the wind forecast from the SE remained light however the course racers managed to get out in-between the 12-foot waves! The racing was hard and fast Denzil Williams showing how to do it most of the way however crashing yards from the finish line, letting Andy Gratwick take the win. However Denzil fought back and took the second race.
The Freestyle Kitesurfers were unable to compete due to the light winds however the Freestyle Kitelandboards and Kitebuggys took to the hard sand’s to strut their moves in a difficult wind
The Juniors, Ladies Kitelandboard and Ladies Kitebuggy managed to complete full rounds until the comp was called off due to a dying wind.
Saturday saw no wind at all with a good swell – a few going surfing and tow in on the jest skis. Saturday night everyone glammed up for the end of season prize giving – which ended in a very late night!
Sunday the wind was back up to blow the cobwebs away
The Kitesurfer freestylers went out to please the crowds with a “ please the crowd “ judging criteria. The moves were a mix of old school v new school and everyone had fun, taking the win was Ali Barrett with some lovely can cans and board offs!
The Kitelandboard and Kitebuggy guys had two hours for a Best trick comp the winners being:
– Buggy: Dave ‘Stupid’ Roberts, with a seriously powered 1080 kite-loop
– Landboard: Kris ‘Floyd’ Beech, with a 25ft, fast and super smooth 1080 slapdown
Winner of the King of Watersports Sector nine was kitesurfer Oli Sweeney
That rounded a big weekend and all the competitors headed back to the 4 corners of the UK
Thanks to every one of the season sponsors, competitors, parents, race crew, media and safety.
See you next year dates out in January 2010.
Pro Kitesurfing
Men’s 1= Ned Taylor, Sam Light and Ali Barrett
Ladies
1 Hannah Whiteley
2 Helen Thompson
3 Nicky Rudd
Kitebuggy Freestyle Ladies
1 Karen Cartlidge
2 Nicola Hammond
3 Sukie Robertson
Kitelandboard Juniors
1 Greg Chilton
2 Ted Polkey
3 Sam Lawman
Kitelandboard Ladies
1 Sukie Robertson
2 Karen Cartlidge