The wind started out light and off shore for day five of the 2005 Fuerteventura Kiteboarding World Cup.  The Boarder X riders waited in a holding pattern while PKRA race director Olaf Van Tol monitored the wind and made a few changes to the course, adjusting buoys and floating obstacles based on the current, and strength and direction of the wind. This allowed riders the best chance to stay on course after performing their tricks. Although the direction of the wind was perfect for Speed, it was not strong enough to get started and the discipline was put on hold until the afternoon.

A few changes were implemented to improve the Boarder X course. The course’s second leg trick was changed to a 720 roll, from yesterday’s board off, and the finish changed to a big air jump over the last large triangular sausage, rather than at the beach. Boarder X heats that include mandatory tricks are not based on speed, or the first person across the finish, but on completing the course correctly.  Yesterday, and even today, some riders thought they placed last for their heat but actually won or advanced because they performed the tricks and cleared the obstacles as required.

The first heats for the men finally got underway at 1:45pm and were temporarily halted as the riders had extensive difficulties staying up wind and rounding the marks with the moderate, inconsistent, off shore wind.  The course was adjusted once more and the men were able to finish four more rounds with Cesar Portas, Gunnar Biniasch, Leeshai Miller and Mikael Blomvall advancing along with Rutger Zomer, Erick Fernholm, Kevin Langeree and Greg Thijsse. The point standings remain the same until after the final rounds are completed, hopefully tomorrow.

By 3pm, Olaf canceled the discipline for the day.  The wind had dropped off some more and the women were not even able to keep their kites flying at the starting line.  Riders such as Angela Peral, Jalou Langeree, Ania Grzelinska and Helen Barriere then enjoyed swimming in the water, cooling off while Cesar Portas and Joe Ciastula joined in the action doing handstands and having a water fight. Afterwards, the girls decided to work on their long distance swimming skills and made their way out to the first floating sausage getting on it and using it as a diving platform.  The rescue boat and wave runner thwarted their fun and had them all come back into shore.  After a few minutes of plotting, the girls staged a coup and swam out to Jaime Bussian’s rescue wave runner taking it over.  He managed to get it back and then give individual rides to those who wanted.  At 4:30 the Speed competitors were released for the day.

Tonight’s tent party set up by Rene Egli, one of the main event sponsors and owner of the extensive sport facilities at Sotavento Beach, will include a live band, several bars serving the beverage of your choice and dancing. These parties have become quite popular over the years and it is estimated that as many as 5,000 people will attend Saturday evening’s closing ceremony and festivities