Kernow Kitesurf Club Dominate BKSA Course Racing in Blackpool!

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Lee on top of podium
Over the Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend Kernow Kitesurf Club chairman Lee Harvey (St Ives) and St Austell rep Denzil Williams travelled to Blackpool for the British Kitesurfing Association Course Racing Championships, Round 2. The newest form of competitive kitesurfing sees riders competing on a triangular course with a start line much in the same way as sailing races only at much higher speeds.

With winds of around 30knts and a big swell Saturdays racing was full on with high speeds and some huge crashes meaning only 2 of the 3 planned races were run, while Sunday saw much nicer winds of around 15knts and a flatter sea allowing the riders to reach speeds up to 35mph on the downwind legs. In his first UK race event Lee was never far from the front and claimed 2 race wins and a 2nd to win the event on 3.4 points with 2008 UK Champion Denzil in 2nd on 6.7pts. With racing becoming more and more popular and looking hopeful to be in the Olympics in 2016, the club are looking to attract more interest to run an autumn race series in conjunction with local sailing clubs. For more info check www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk Lee is also looking for sponsors to enable him to compete on the remainder of the 2009 Kiteboard Pro World Tour in; Western Sahara, Brazil and Morocco. You can contact Lee through his website www.leepasty.co.uk

KPWT end of year 2008

Cornish kitesurfer, Lee Harvey, pictured in Morrocco where he placed 5th in the final round of the 2008 Kiteboard Pro World Tour, Wave Masters.

After four rounds throughout the year in; France, Portugal, Brasil and Morrocco, Lee finished his first year on tour in 7th position.

With the final round attracting the best riders in the world and the gods delivering 2 days of near perfect double overhead conditions with sideshore winds. Out of an entrance of 42, Lee along with team mate, Will Bennet from Watergate, were the only ones riding with no footstraps on normal surfboards, despite mutterings of, ‘they are crazy guys’ from the strapped contingent. Lee narrowly lost to 2007 World champ Abel Lago (Spain) missing out on his chance for a podium in the quarter finals.

 

Lee says: ‘I am very pleased after my first year on the world tour especially after the epic conditions we had in Morocco at a spot called Moulay. I am looking forward to riding some big waves both at home and abroad this winter and aim to fly the flag high on the podium in next years tour!’

For more info on Kitesurfing in Cornwall check out www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk