KB4C
This is a WILD race! It’s one small course with kiteboarders, kitefoilers and wingers all going at it! That’s not to mention all the non-racers flying around on the river with us. There wasn’t a dull moment out there in the high traffic and insane winds.
2023 was the windiest ever KB4C!
The wind started ‘Gorge moderate strong’ and I was perfect on my 3m Ozone Fly, but an hour later the wind really kicked into high gear. As the gusts leapt into the mid 30s I considered going in for a snack and to switch down to a 2m, but I kept reflecting on what the last year had been like for my dad and his superhuman ability to keep smiling and joking.
I kept telling myself, “WOW, I’m so lucky to be healthy and out here with my friends, doing what I love. I can handle anything. I can hold this down for another lap!”.
ALMOST 100 MILES DONE!
I had some nasty high speed wipeouts, but each time one of my buddies would fly by with words of encouragement, scooping me back to my feet. Six hours, 67 “just one more lap” efforts and 98 miles later I’d made it without taking a break. I was so stoked that I did a bonus lap before heading in to celebrate with the family.
My 3m Fly wing held up amazingly – it’s no stranger to 30+ knot Gorge gusts and pinches upwind so well that I was able to translate being overpowered into some great angles on the upwind leg.