55 mile keys race

[The Kite House]

We are curently working on a race from Marathon - key west.
Setting up for gulf or atlantic run, gulf run you will need a gps. Will take 25-30 experienced riders. Will have more on how to qualify.

Want to set a date of jan 25-27 or maybe other, dont want to disturb any other events, so looking for feed back.

[ricki]

Sounds like fun to me. Looking at the satellite images, the Florida Bay route has a lot of mangrove islands along the way. Would kiters take the marked channel in places through island cuts? Big Pine Key goes way to the north it seems to make circumnavigating quite a bit further than 55 miles. Looks like a run in the Straits would be an easier proposition to ride and escort. What do you think?

[The Kite House]

i think that could be the fun part.....having maps and gps points ahead of time....setting some markers....but then besides being fast you need to be smart and have to make some choices or follow a gps.

[ricki]

i think that could be the fun part.....having maps and gps points ahead of time....setting some markers....but then besides being fast you need to be smart and have to make some choices or follow a gps.

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/files/marathon_to_kw_3_s_618.jpg

Make it more of a well rounded navigation run instead of a balls to the wall chase. Makes sense. This would be a paradigm shift for some riders though. It would be good to talk about sensible tactics and precautions ahead of time. I can recall guys not knowing where way points were in last years distance races costing them in some cases. As long as folks don't clothesline sailboats with tangled kite lines going through narrow cuts. Sounds like fun and a different kind of challenge from the traditional "go fast" approach in the past. I wonder if we would have adequate wind throughout with land shear considerations in the channel? You've spent a lot more time among the cays in Florida Bay than I have. I had a few sessions in Florida Bay around Islamorada in strong cold fronts nearshore. As a rule there was adequate wind with some pinching down in wind speed at points from land effects in fairly strong frontal winds.

[Greg]

Since you are looking for feedback my vote is for an atlantic run: less complicated, easier way points, fewer wind issues, etc.

[greg meintjes]

''the wind will call the day'',Paul,whats up ? try and plan for as much side onshore to straight downwind condition,s this will ensure that if anyone gets in trouble at least they will be able to self rescue themselves ,the blimb at Cudjoe,if its up will also make a good reference point.

greg in key west

[The Kite House]

good point on the blimp. I want this race to be different and hard, speed will not be the only factor to win, skill will make a big difference. 25riders only, so it is undercontrol to keep count.

[CrazyJay]

Great idea Paul.
We've been waiting for someone to do this race for years.
Obviously an Atlantic run would be less complicated but a gulf run would be more fun with more strategy involved. What about requiring all riders to have a support boat/jetski? This will reduce chances of lost riders. Maybe make it a team event so kiter and boat driver can switch on and off?
Just ideas. Cant wait to "Run the Keys"!
Jayson

[airushdave]

The jupiter kiteboarding invasion is the last weekend in jan check with jeremy

[The Kite House]

yes, have decided to make it a team event, that way there are 2 people on kites together, so the team must finish....will have the help of the coast guard and some others, looking into check points for the teams ect....want this to be for serious riders who can navigate. As i said will keep it small, the next one i have i mind will be tough but make it very challenging. All input is welcome, but i dont want this easy.you need to be prepared as a team, leaks, line breaks ect....thats why your a team.

thanks for the heads up, will do the weekend before or after jupitor once i have a conformation from jeremy.