For the Kids - Kiteboarding & Kitesurfing

The fifth and final day of the 2016 La Ventana Classic began under the Baja sunrise as the pre-qualified athletes arrived north of the event site for an early morning start to load up the pangas for the final Crossing. Allowed to bring no more than one board and two kites, riders chose between either a twin tip or a surfboard and the rules forbid any kite swapping for the race. What you bring is what you ride. 16 competitors began the race at the southern end of Cerralvo Island and all completed the 10 mile crossing in under 30 minutes. It was Los Barriles’ Mac Scaggs who took the win, followed by Baja’s favorite DJ, DJ Guacamole and Elevation Kiteboarding’s Mark Bavis. Marie Leclerc came in first for the women and was followed by Vasilisa Zaytseva.

After the Crossing was complete, a second division of foilboarders and windsurfers set out on the Criss-cross. Athletes departed from the Hot Springs Beach, crossed the La Ventana channel to round a buoy near Cerralvo Island and then began the treck back to the Hot Springs. A total of five windsurfers and 10 foil kiters battled for bragging rights over the fastest time. It was foil competitor, Adam Withington’s orange kite that first appeared on the horizon, followed by Nico Landauer and Oliver Willi. They sped towards the beach full of spectators to beat out the windsurfers and claimed victory for the kitesurfers. Astrid, the only female competitor won the women’s category while the windsurfers came in with Tyson Poor placing first, Wyatt Miller in second and MacRae Wylde in third.

Astrid, the only female competitor won the women’s category while the windsurfers came in with Tyson Poor placing first, Wyatt Miller in second and MacRae Wylde in third.

The freestyle event got underway in the early afternoon. The women’s final heats faced challenging conditions as the wind got light and flukey. Marie Leclerc found the power she needed and landed an S-bend to blind along with 2 raileys to blind. Meanwhile Laura Maher landed some smooth unhooked backrolls and a front to blind. Unfortunately, Min Kim released her kite mid-trick, which crashed and rolled onto the rocks and ended her heat.

The shining star of the sportsman class was Baja local, Dave Beddows, who after competing in the Crossing as well as the 5.5 mile downwind SUP race appeared on the water as a late entrant during the Sportsmen’s heat.

Evan Netsch and Rocky Chatwell, the winner’s of yesterday’s final, awaited to see who would advance from today’s heats and join them in the Super Final. Four qualifiers, two semis and a final between Anthar, Reed, Adam and Fritz put Anthar, who landed a double heart attack, the trick of the event, along with Adam, who continued to wow the crowd with his lofty freestyle foil tricks, into the Super Final.

The Super Final was a showdown between the top pro athletes at the event. With solid wind for a strong start, Evan took off like a banshee landing a 315, KGB, slim chance and a back mobe. Rocky landed a front mobe before dropping his kite, which ripped in half amidst the shore break and put an end to his day, leaving only three competitors to battle it out. Although Adam boosted to the moon and back, he was not landing his jumps as consistently as he had in previous days, but he did land a board off 360, a first in competition history. Up-and-commer, Anthar Racca, effortlessly unleashed a deep bag of tricks and landed a blind judge, front mobe, slim chance, double heart attack, and a 317.

SUP competitors ended their week with a 5.5 downwind race from the Hot Springs to Baja Joe’s. Their overall rankings were announced at the end of the day with Bonnie Fromm, Terri Plunkett and Dianna Steven taking first, second and third respectively for the Wahine class. While by no surprise, Anthony Vela, who has dominated all of the week’s SUP races, took first followed by Jeremy Vaine and MacRae Wylde.

Wind for all five days, tons of parties and all for the kids, the event continued at Pizza Vela where the awards were announced. Big thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers at the event”” without them it would not have been possible! The mayors of local towns, Los Planes and El Sargento, were both in attendance and were incredibly thankful for everybody’s support.

After the awards were announced, Tim took the mic to announce the final sum that was raised in support of the local school kids. All money, beyond costs of running the event, will go directly to the Amigos de Alumnos group to contribute to high school scholarships and help local students in La Ventana/El Sargento continue their education. The grand total of $12,666 dollars will allow 42 kids to continue high school!

RESULTS:

SUP Overall Men

1. Anthony Vela

2. Jeremy Vaine

3. MacRae Wylde

SUP Overall Women

1. Bonnie Fromm

2. Terri Plunkett

3. Dianna Steven

Foil Races Women

1. Astrid Bertz

Foil Races Men