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This year the Mille Lacs Kite Crossing will host the first ever Midwest CKA regional event. On March 6 - 8 college students from all across the Midwest will come together to compete and socialize. The event is open to all skill levels. Students will be placed in the CKA standings and not the general admissions standing. Registration information below.
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Please register before 2/25/2015 to get the full college student discount
---- Racers Package - $35 - Races, Banquet, Swag, and Advanced Clinics (no Crossing apperal included)
Wednesday 2/25/2015 is the last day to register for the college discount. After Wednesday participants will have to pay the full event fees listed here.
The CKA Midwest regionals kicked off with great success. For this event the CKA partnered with the Mille Lacs Kite Crossing offering a division for college riders and a discounted rate. Students from 4 different colleges across the Midwest attended the event. The whole weekend supplied perfect 12 meter winds and sunny skies.
The long distance race took off Saturday morning. Racers traveled 6 miles out and 6 miles back in one long tack across the lake. The racers were timed with computer chips allowing for a staggered and less hectic start. An ice heave with flowing water crossed perpendicular to the race path so everyone had to funnel through a 15 foot ice bridge about 2 miles out from the start line.
A short course tandem towing race took place on Saturday afternoon. Kiters had to complete the course while dragging a friend on skis, a snowboard, or even a sled. Strategy was the main key to this race as both the kiter and the tandem had to round the cone in the most efficient way possible. This was a great opportunity for those who don’t know how to snowkite to get involved.
Various clinics were offered throughout the Saturday and Sunday including freestyle, unhooked, and GoPro filming tips and tricks. The event site created a friendly hang out spot with Red Bull handing out free beverages. Just downwind of the event site was a groomed area with jumps for the advanced riders to show off. The event site served as a great place for anyone from advanced riders to spectators to hang out and have fun.
Saturday night was the banquet. This was a great chance for college students to share ideas relating to their college kite clubs and to hang out with other kiters under the age of 25. All of the awards were given out to the riders who placed. Also anyone who finished the race also got a certificate of completion. Next it was time to give away the custom CKA Slingshot kiteboard. In an effort to invite all riders and not just the top contenders we raffled the board off to anyone who finished the race. The board went to Jack Hicks from Michigan Tech. He raised it high and proud in front of over 100 people feeling accomplished after making the long journey.
Congrats to all those who placed in the long distance race.
Race Snowboarding (Mens)
1st Adam Burggraff from University of Minnesota Duluth
2nd Bob Garzon from Minnesota State University Moorhead
Race Ski (Mens)
1st Jack Hicks from Michigan Technological University
2nd Jared Munch from University of Minnesota Duluth
Race Ski (Womens)
1st Amanda Burggragg from Winona State University of South Florida