Kite Racing Worlds Sylt Germany 2011 - Day 1

Sunshine and warm weather welcomed the competitors of the 2011 world championships here at Sylt today, and after the opening ceremony it went straight to racing.

Julien Kerneur

The wind was blowing offshore with 17-22 knots, but that meant that racing took part a few kilometers outside which made communication and handling the fleet of 70 racers a tricky job.

Men and women were sent out on a trapezoid course with 1.5 km upwind length with a sequenced start, and right from the beginning it was Johnny Heineken (USA, Ozone, Mike Lab)) who dominated the fleet. Sometimes with a margin of more than a minute to the second placed rider there was only a tangle in race 4 that was able to stop him.

Four races were run in total in two sessions and the fleet brought safely brought back ashore before the wind dropped in the evening. Several protest had to be heard until everybody was satisfied and the results stand.

Defending World Champion Adam Koch (USA, Ozone, Mikes Lab) is in close second ahead of Sky Solbach (USA, North). In total there are six US boys in the top 10 and 4 French riders, the best being Julien Kerneur (FRA, RRD, Takoon) in 5th position.
RRD Team is fighting hard, with Julien Kerneur in 5th position fighting for a stage of the podium, Polish rider Tomek Janiak in 15th position and Italian rider Luca Marcis 22nd.

Hopefully today we'll update you with some action and some fresh and good results too..



Course Race Men (after 4 races)

1. John Heineke (USA)
2. Adam Koch (USA)
3. Sky Solbach (USA)
4. Bryan Lake (USA)
5. Julien Kerneur (FRA)