Stay connected in the wind. This forum is for anyone who rides the wind, winter or summer, on whatever board suits their fancy. Share the stoke, find out where people are going, ask any question, share your discoveries, and discuss any esoteric idea you may have related to the pursuit of wind. Please keep it positive.
It's coming. THE event of the season. The Annual Mille Lacs Crossing has been blessed each year with unique conditions, ranging from freezing mist to 8 inches of powder. Mother nature always seems to come through and provides plenty of riding over the weekend. No matter your skill level, this weekend is designed around riding. The majority of the weekend is a freeride session, then when the conditions look ideal, the decision will be made by the race director to initiate the race. While open to everyone, the race is completely optional.
Fleet 8 will be posting registration materials shortly. Registration typically gets you: some swag, registration/support during the race, and a banquet on Saturday night.
Plan to make a weekend of it, and join riders from around the world in one of our state's premiere riding locations.
photo: Woody photo: Viv Clark photo: Viv Clark
Last edited by Tighe on Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Last year there were a lot of great ideas for loose competitions, like highest jump, longest jump, fastest speed, etc. Can't remember them all. The conditions didn't quite work out last year, but I think it'd be fun to consider these again.
Are any of you girl kiters going to race this year? I know there was one last year, but is anyone else going to this year? I would like to race, but I'm not sure if I will be good enough by that time.
I'll be racing; tighe talked me into it. Yea, i don't know how ready i'll be by then either. I can barely make it across wb without my legs screaming at me. I'll give it a shot...looking forward to it! It would be nice to have a group of ladies out there! I believe leah is racing also.
Nancy will be there so one more lady.
I know you guys can do it and you should go to the event,it's not just the race it's the social, the stoke, meeting new people ,seeing old friends, making old friends,and the challenge of the race. And going to the Goose.
For the record I've never done a crossing without my legs screaming, my arms burning or something cramping. It's tough, it's supposed to be. If you can't finish take pride in being out there and see if you can get further the next year. It's a personal challenge.
I've been involved in wind sports all my life, I can read the wind and know when I'm lifted or headed and which tack is the best for the direction I'm racing. In the crossing tactics be damned, I tack when my legs can't stand it any more and I need to change my position and reduce the load on my legs. Survivals a tactic too.
There's pleasure in knowing everyones hurting and their muscles are screaming, if they look like they're not in pain they're trying to psych you out.
So go for it. If you can ride in a straight line and turn you have all the skills you need.
Mike Fox....how about a womens division this year???.
I was really hoping to do the crossing this year, but I'm not sure I'll be back in shape in time because I'm having surgery next week. Eric and Anna Paulson...the disaster team! Hope to at least see everyone at the party.
Geez, I miss all the good stuff. I haven't made a crossing yet. Will be in Switzerland being cultural and trying their hills out. Going to miss the charity rides this weekend too. At least I got to make the Swede gathering! Maybe it will be postponed as the weekend I get back there will be a huge spring powdery dump like last year
PMILLION,
come up regardless.. extreme will have a ton of demo gear from flexifoil, best, and liquidforce. If the winds will allow us we will have a tent set up on the ice.
Mike Fox....how about a womens division this year???.
Steve, is your helmet getting too tight? We've had a women's division since the second Kite Crossing. Last year, we had both ski and snowboard divisions for women, thanks to Emily's input. We are currently finalizing the format for this year, but there will definitely be at least two divisions for women. More to come.
So I guess what you're saying Mike .....is there's a womens division.
Great, takes the pressure off, I don't have to worry about Nancy kicking my ass in the race, even if she beats me " but honey it doesn't count, you're in the womens div".
Thanks for the ego saver Mike.
PMILLION,
come up regardless.. extreme will have a ton of demo gear from flexifoil, best, and liquidforce. If the winds will allow us we will have a tent set up on the ice.
Jon
All of the local slingy guys and maybe even our rep will be in town. We will have lots of different kites for you to try out, T2s, Revs, Fuels, Rangers. Definitely come up, should be a fun weekend!
Ride on Hunter.
Yeah, we'll have Slingshot REVs, T2s (maybe a T3), and Fuels for demo.
Events are a great opportunity to try kites back to back, check out as many brands as you can, if nothing else it will give you an idea of what the differences are.
We will also have the SlingScamp set up for demoing out slingshot gear. Look for the little white bubble, come warm up inside, and check out all of new Slingshot gear.