VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

WOW! The designers must be pulling their hair out! They either need lots of upwind or none of it, not just under a fifth of the course. That would mean that we will need retractable fins. I tell you they want to see more CRASHES! and that will certainly do it.

Maybe this aside is closer to the truth than intended: "Hell while we are at it lets chuck some inflatables in the the way and make it a boarder cross!"

Because let's be honest ... that would make for great TV. And it would be pretty fun to do too, despite being less "pure" in a racing sense ... maybe more X-Games style than Olympics.

I think kiting's inclusion in the olympics is less about the pinnacle of athleticism and more about bringing in the sexy beast. Is beach volleyball really a discipline separate from regular volleyball? Or is it more about having good looking people get sweaty and sandy in skimpy outfits?

Olympics want sizzle ... and kiting will bring more thrills and spills than one-design windsurfing (yawn). But it might not be about the racing as much as the circus sideshow aspect?

Hate to say it, but there it is. And in looking at the positives, it'll still be fun to compete in and fun to watch.

Keep in mind that there`s a 6 knot wind minimum. They have it this low because they HAVE to hold races. They won`t wait around for 20 knots and possibly have no event.

juandesooka wrote: I think kiting's inclusion in the olympics is less about the pinnacle of athleticism and more about bringing in the sexy beast. Is beach volleyball really a discipline separate from regular volleyball? Or is it more about having good looking people get sweaty and sandy in skimpy outfits?

I hear you. Those kiters are damn sexy. I don't blame the IOC or TV folks...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtY4bcI_fM0

JL: good video. I've seen that thread on kiteforum.com, I'm impressed that whoever compiled this focused on gals who kite, rather than just the beach bikini shots. This may be helpful in my ongoing propaganda campaign to entice my wife and daughters to give kiting a try.

I think you should show them handsome kite Men Instead John

yeah right, where would we find any of those? ;-)

Let the Girls deal with that

Sorry about drifting this thread. Here is the latest from the I.K.A. : http://www.internationalkiteboarding.or ... Itemid=266 ... How about ?: https://vimeo.com/17754852

I peeked at the “chika” video. The women looked sooooo pale and the gear was way out of date. I might be getting spoiled rotten here in Maui. Must be time to leave.

I believe this link is the latest IKA update: http://www.internationalkiteboarding.or ... Itemid=102. It looks like ISAF and IKA are “sharing the sheets” regarding equipment. The gloves are off for equipment design (with some minor restrictions). I welcome this as far reaching. These changes have been put in place very recently and indicate a significant move forward for ISAF accepting Kiting as the latest Olympic addition. No problem as long as Kiting survives this honeymoon period.

No, your doing great Phil. I was being silly & the video was 6 years old AND just shots of older kite mags Seriously, thanks for the link p.s. Greg is cruising nicely on your old race board

Thanks JL. I was getting worried for a second.

With the head spinning IKA rule changes I am starting to really miss that race board.

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