New format for Kite Racing - Don't mess up the last day!
By the skin of his teeth!
The new format weights the last day of racing very heavily, making the first days of the competition almost worthless for the top racers who can win or lose with only a single mistake on the last day. After holding a 5 point lead on second and almost 20 points over 3rd, Johnny left the final with a holed board and only one point separating him from first place by the skin of his teeth. The new format was only being trialed, so we'll see how it pans out based on the riders reactions.
He tells it best though, so we'll let Johnny explain:
"After five days of racing here in Soma Bay, Egypt I’ve pulled off a first place in the African Continental Championships! This was the first major event of the year, and will for sure be hard to beat. I didn’t know what to expect from Egypt and I’m totally impressed. This place is beautiful, windy, and everyone has taken such good care of us. 61 guys and 15 women showed up to race.
The last day we completed in the medal series, which is a controversial trial format that weights the last day an incredible amount. Gold fleet points are reduced to single scores carried forward into a 3 race series. This was rough for me because I had gained a considerable lead in Gold Fleet only to lose it to a format change. I ended the day with two second place finishes, one hole in my board, and only a 1pt lead over second place. This small lead felt pretty ridiculous after posting 9 bullets and 2 second place finishes, but I had at least held on. Florian moved into second and Maxime ended up third after fouling me in the first race of the day and not spinning. Ricardo dropped from second to fourth place overall, a finish not representative of how well he sailed in the gold fleet.
Ok, that’s my rant on the format. Otherwise this was truly one of the most well run events I’ve ever attended. We ate, kited, ate, slept, and repeated to our hearts content. Race management was flawless, The Breakers Hotel and 7Bft Kite House welcomed us with open arms, and Royal Dream Tours made sure the week after the event was time well spent in Egypt. Thanks to all!"
So there you have it - straight from the horses mouth. What's your take on the new scoring system? Have your say in the Kitesurfing forums.
The last day we completed in the medal series, which is a controversial trial format that weights the last day an incredible amount. Gold fleet points are reduced to single scores carried forward into a 3 race series. This was rough for me because I had gained a considerable lead in Gold Fleet only to lose it to a format change. I ended the day with two second place finishes, one hole in my board, and only a 1pt lead over second place. This small lead felt pretty ridiculous after posting 9 bullets and 2 second place finishes, but I had at least held on. Florian moved into second and Maxime ended up third after fouling me in the first race of the day and not spinning. Ricardo dropped from second to fourth place overall, a finish not representative of how well he sailed in the gold fleet.
Ok, that’s my rant on the format. Otherwise this was truly one of the most well run events I’ve ever attended. We ate, kited, ate, slept, and repeated to our hearts content. Race management was flawless, The Breakers Hotel and 7Bft Kite House welcomed us with open arms, and Royal Dream Tours made sure the week after the event was time well spent in Egypt. Thanks to all!"
So there you have it - straight from the horses mouth. What's your take on the new scoring system? Have your say in the Kitesurfing forums.
Wilson, WA
