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Withington_SimoneVannuci

Adam Withington, event organizer and Mexico’s top foil rider, is ready to race! Photo Simone Vannucci/ASV Performance.

The worlds’s top kiteboarding racers have converged on La Ventana to compete in the first hydrofoiling regatta sanctioned by the IKA. From March 13 to 17, a total of 30 racers from all parts of the world are expected to compete for the $10,000 purse.

Mexico’s top racer, Adam Withington, organized the event and said, “To go 30 knots in 12 knots of breeze means year-round fun and exciting races no matter what the wind conditions — which is essential for spectators. As long as we have a breeze, there will be plenty of action for competitors and spectators alike. ”

La Ventana is a top spot for kite racing events and provides an ideal training ground for all levels of riders.  Withington’s family owns  Playa Central Kiteboarding, which has been hosting races and regattas for over four years. For the “La Ventana KiteFoil Gold Cup”,  Withington reached out to La Ventana local businesses and brought the town together for the first IKA regatta in the bay.

Robbie Dean and Jessica Barhydt, of the American Kiteboarding Association, will be the race officials for the five day event.  The course will be a windward and leeward layout with a Hollywood finish. So far, the competitor list is pretty impressive including riders Nicholas Parlier (French Champion); Maxime Nocher (2012 World Champion); Julien Kerneur (France); Simone Vanucci (Italy); Santiago Ramirez (Mexico), and American pros Bryan Lake; John Heineken; Adam Koch and Joey Pasquali. Master racers include Alex Aguera (USA); Chip Wasson (USA); Cynthia Brown (USA) and Gabor Vagi (Hungary).

The Skippers meetings will start at 11 AM on opening day, March 13. For the following days, racing will start at noon and go until sunset. All activities will be staged at Playa Central including the closing night award ceremony party on March 17.  Spectators can watch the race from Playa Central’s restaurant bar and race deck. Event parties will help be at La Ventana Bay Properties Plaza, Baja Joe’s, Dalaney’s, and Playa Central, which are some of the local sponsors. Other sponsors include ASV Performance, Aguera Boards, Sword, ExotiKite, Dakine, and Captain Kirks.

For daily updates and event photos follow  www.facebook.com/PlayaCentralKiteboarding
To register or for more info email [email protected] or visit www.playacentralkiteboarding.com.
For more info on the 2014 Foil Series, see the IKA Kitefoil Gold Cup website.