With a light forecast for day 4 of the 2018 La Ventana Classic, the mountain bikers started the day off with the Enduro Race. Built as a descending course, the route began halfway up the new Las Minitas trail, a very steep trail full of switchbacks which then converged onto Rampitas and then onto Las Palapas trail and finished when the riders crossed the finish line at the event site at Hot Springs Beach. 40 riders, the best of whom race director Warren Bruce explained “would complete the course in under 12 minutes,” cycled to the top of the course and had two opportunities to log their best time. Scott Barnes took first finishing the course in 10 minutes and 13 seconds, Guillermo Calder finished second with a time of 10 minutes and 44 seconds and J Kaemer placed third with a time of 10 minutes and 47 seconds.
With glassy morning waters, SUP course races were held in front of the event site. Macrae Wylde finished first followed by Pablo Gaston and then John Merryfield.
With foil course racing still on the radar for the day, kiters waited it out, but with not enough wind to foil, canceled the event at 2:30pm. The foil course racing final results stand with Connor Bainbridge in first, Ejder Ginyol in second and Armagon Ersalat in third.
For the rest of the day, athletes and spectators alike had fun in the sun, participating in beach games including the egg toss and Megaladon SUP shenanigans (the Megaladon SUP will be raffled off on Sunday at the final raffle extravaganza at the beach starting at 4:00pm).
Raffle winners were called before everyone headed over to a Baja Joe’s for a Mexi Food Fiesta and the rocking sounds of Kilometro.
Photos by Noles Dennhardt and Jason Hudson
Schedule Update: Sunday, January 21st
7:30am The Crossing Kite and Windsurf Competitors + Sportsmen meet at Las Palmas. You are allowed to bring 2 kites and 1 board.
8:30am Las Cruces SUP meet at Palapas Ventana parking lot
10:00am Mountain Bike 10K
10:30am Criss Cross Foils + Windsurfers
1:00pm Mountain Bike Slow Race
2:00ish All Freestyle right after The Crossing estimated 2:00pm, could be earlier.
4:00pm Final Raffle Extravaganza at the event site
6:00pm Dalaney’s Pizza Fest
7:00pm LIVE CHARITY AUCTION + AWARDS + PARTY WITH FLIP SKA BAND
LIVE CHARITY AUCTION
There will be a live charity auction at Dalaney’s starting at 7:00pm Sunday evening. Auction items include a 7 night stay for 2 people at Pelican Reef, a carbon fiber Riviera SUP w/ paddle from Harker’s Restaurant, a Dive Mater SCUBA Course from Fourth Element out of La Paz, a DV8 Directional kiteboard from Captain Kirks, 2018 Slingshot 10m Kite, an F-One Twin Tip and a 2 dinner/salad plate set from local potter Michael Smith. That’s not it! There’s 9 insane packages up for auction with main items and then stuffed full with swag from brands including Dakine, Patagonia and Kiteline. All proceeds benefit our local schools!