The weekend started out with the famous Downwind race from La cruz de Huanaxactle to Bucerias, attracting more than 200 kiters from all over the country…
Race committee chief Mike Danielsons’ “Rabbit Start” opened the start line and the madness that pursued could have been described the “Chinese Downhill” of kiteboard racing….tangles, costumes, congestion.. it was wild!
A very steep drop to the first mark, and the wind lightened up as Bucerias came into view…Adam Koch on his foil board made a quick dash out in front, using his own apparent wind to surge ahead of the pack, the next group was a tight ball of foils, race boards and twin tips…. Pacific Paddles Adam Finer and Xantos Villegas, were in the mix, bouncing off kites and adverting disaster…
The Pacific Paddle team finished the event in fine form, Xantos Villegas and Adam Finer were fixtures on the podium in all race categories. Way to go team!
Slalom Race
1. Adam Finer
2. Santiago Ramirez
3. Carlos Rosas
Downwind RACE Board
1. Adam Koch
2. Adam Finer
3. Santiago Ramirez
Downwind TWIN tip
1. Andres Tapia
2. Agustin Tapia
3. Xantos Villegas
Long Distance
1. Santiago Ramirez (foil)
2. Xantos Villegas (foil)
3. Adam Finer (race)
Way to go Team Pacific Paddle!!
Spring is always a great time to be in Bucerias, and for the wind enthusiast it doesn’t get any better.. Steady thermal winds, the Bucerias Classic and then the Festival de Viento, and the wind only gets better in June! So come to Bucerias today and sign up for your kitesurf lessons with the champs at Pacific Paddle. Still plenty of time to become a kiteboarder and start training for next years events!
Check out the photo gallery of this years Festival de Viento!!