| Bruno Sroka and Kari Schibevaag dominate racing at the 2010 PKRA Thailand |
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| Friday, 19 March 2010 14:21 |
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Hua Hin, Thailand – Four was the magic number today, it is day four of the Hua Hin Kiteboarding World Cup 2010 and four being the number of course races that were held today. The wind was in a completely different direction today. Normally the wind comes from the south, but today it was from the north. When a frontal system passes normally the wind dies and changes in direction but today this was a myth. The wind shifted, however it did not completely die out. It blew on average about 10 knots most of the day, which is pretty light making it too weak in strength for the freestyle riders, but enough for the racers. The maximum number of course races that can be held in one competition day are four, and the racers today took advantage of that. All four races were dominated by French rider, Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha, FRA). A couple riders used different strategies to attempt overtaking the racing world champion but failed. Fellow teammate Renaud Madier (Cabrinha, FRA) took second place twice today, followed by another French rider Julien Kerneur (Takoon, FRA) who came in third place on more than one occasion. Spanish rider Abel Lago (RRD, ESP) came second place twice today as well as a third place. There had been a couple protests for the first race of the day due to line entanglements with three riders on the first lap near the finish line marker. David Tyburski (Airush, USA) was disqualified due to this entanglement. There was a little upset between the women racers today. Kari Schibevaag (Ozone, NOR) had been leading the races in the women’s division until Kristin Boese (Best, GER) overtook her in race number five. It was a good day for French racer, Caroline Adrien who took two second place positions. Hua Hin womens freestyle single eliminations winner, Gisela Pulido competed in one race today and took a second place. As simple as it might seem initially, course racing is actually very technical and involves much more than just being able to handle your kite and board. It depends mostly on pre-planning strategies, knowing the rules, especially the right of way rules and of course good material and weather conditions. Congratulations to all racers who placed today! Mandatory skippers meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:00am.
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