Islamorada Invitational ‘05
The 4th annual Islamorada Invitational was held in the beautiful Florida Keys from the 20th through 24th of April with a premium selection of big name riders turning up for the event such as Alvaro Onieva, Sky Solbach, Andy Hurdman, Damien Leroy, Julie Simsar, Danelia Aquatella, Bri Chmel, Davey Blair, Madison Van Heurck and Clinton Bolton after their PKRA stop in Venezuela.
The first 3 days of competition were put on hold due to light winds but everyone had a blast with kicker and slider competitions behind jet skis as well as huge tow-ups for the brave few. Davie Blair won the unofficial tow-up comp with the most insane kiteloop ever attempted. Nick Vidilich won the kicker comp by sticking a huge clean whirlybird, twice. Billy Parker, Mike Hall and Davey Blair and many others all charged the kicker with huge railys, rolls and 5’s. With such a beautiful location, everyone had a good time hanging out; catching up with friends and enjoying the warmth of hospitality found each year with this enjoyable event.
On the final day of the competition, the wind turned on with offshore conditions on the Islamorada sandbar allowing the hour-long expression session to commence with the winner being chosen from the group of riders. About 25 pro competitors in total launched and rode offshore to impress the judges and each other. It’s amazing how far the level has progressed from last year, with riders throwing handle-pass kiteloops, grabbed slims and more.
Damien Leroy was riding great with powered kiteloops and his smooth style to take third while Clinton Bolton was throwing his textbook slims, mobes and loops to take second. But it was Andy Hurdman’s day as he stuck every trick he threw, his signature blind rewind, back mobe and raliy 3’s all with his fast and fluid style. Andy reclaims his title once again after Andre Phillip and then Mark Doyle each had their year as winner of the Invitational.
In the women’s division Julie Simsar got on the water first to edge out Bri Chmel and Daniela Aquatella, as the girls battled it out with the men in the tricky offshore conditions.
2005 ISLAMORADA INVITATIONAL OFFICIAL RESULTS AND CURRENT US KITEBOARD PRO TOUR STANDINGS
Pro Men
1st Andy Hurdman – USA
2nd Clinton Bolton – S. Africa
3rd Damien Leroy - USA
4th Leeshai Miller – Israel
5th Billy Parker - USA
5th Antoine Saubert – PR
6th Jonathan Modica - USA
6th Sky Solbach - USA
6th Greg Norman - USA
6th Jesse Cors - USA
6th Michael Bradley - USA
6th David Blair - USA
7th Zack Kleppe - USA
7th Alvaro Onieva - Spain
7th Brian Greenwald - PR
7th Eli Zarka - Israel
7th Nick Bowers - USA
7th Alex Le Clanch - USA
8th Francisco Escudero - USA
8th Madison Van Heurck – St Thomas
8th Noel Jambor - USA
Pro Women
1st Julie Simsar - PR
2nd Bri Chmel - USA
3rd Daniela Acquatella - Venezuela
Photos and more info can be found at www.islamoradainvitational.com soon and info on the US Kiteboard Pro Tour can be found at www.uskiteboardprotour.com soon as well. Stay tuned for more...
Huge thanks to all who helped make this event a sucess...many of you went above and beyond the call of duty - thank you.
Our Sponsors:
Holiday Isle Resort
Seven Kiteboarding
Reef
Best Kiteboarding
Cabrinha Kiteboarding
Slingshot Kiteboarding
Blow Me Away
Turbolauncher
Pizza Hut
Red Bull
Partners:
The Kiteboarder
Kiteboarding Mag
And thanks again to the riders for sticking it out through the light wind days...we"ll keep the party going no mater what! See you all at stop #2...Velocity Games in Texas!
Brad Lange
RobbyNitroz had een 5 sterren sessie in Zandvoort met maar liefst 15 - 20 knots op zijn SlingShot Wave SST (2017)
RobbyNitroz had een 5 sterren sessie in Zandvoort met maar liefst 15 - 20 knots op zijn SlingShot Wave SST (2017)
RobbyNitroz had een 5 sterren sessie in Zandvoort met maar liefst 15 - 20 knots op zijn SlingShot Wave SST (2017)