Afgelopen weekend vond het open belgisch kampioenschap kiteracing plaats in Knokke. omdat er in Nederland geen vergelijkbaar evenement wordt georganiseerd waren er ook veel Nederlanders van de partij. Na 5 races is er in de hydrofoil klasse de volgende uitslag uit gekomen:

1. Koen Schepers
2. Wim van Beveren (BE)
3. Evan Kruger
4. Bram Hogendijk
5. Bauke Visser
6. Sander de Kok
7. Reinoud Stoel
8. Robby Denoyette (BE)

verslag van winnende Nederlander Koen Schepers:

Last weekend PL teamrider Koen Schepers participated n the Open belgian Kite Racing Championships In Knokke, Belgium. A lot of Dutch riders joined the fight for the title since there is no organized kite racing championship in the Netherlands.

Anemos beach Club is renowned for its perfect organisation during these events and launched Twintip, Formula and Hydrofoil races.

Koen reports:

All participants counted on light wind conditions and had prepared their biggest kites on the beach. However, the wind picked up pretty fast to +15 knots and smaller kites appeared to be a better choice. 10:00 skippersmeeting and from 11:00 five races: starting line, 2 rounds up- and downwind buoy and finish line.

At the first race I had a perfect start; I passed the starting line exactly at the start signal. I was at full speed 16 knots upwind and almost touched the starting boat with my butt.

Being so focussed, I didn’t not know if anyone was close behind me. In the practice round I timed that after about two minutes from the start I had to prepare the first tack. Shortly before I looked behind me and saw that I was way ahead of the other participants and was also a bit further upwind! Wow, would this be my day ?! I had plenty of time to rolltack and headed full speed on the upwind buoy, leaving the others even further behind. This kite really loves the upwind tracks. The sloshing water caused me to be careful on the downwind course and I did not dare to go full speed, risking a crash. Sam, Belgian champion Formula race, took advantage on me on this course. Every race became a close call till the finish line.

For the first four races I used a concept kite, a 9m Peter Lynn Aero depowerfoil, for the 5th race the 12m Aero. Michel (our foilkites designer) and I were very tense for the first performance of this depowerfoil. It exceeded all expectations; Fast, super upwind, reliable and stable. Because they are concept kites there are still things to be adjusted, but HEY: even without it being production ready it’s already a kite to win races ! Thanks to these kites I can call myself Belgium-Dutch Champion Hydrofoil Kite Race 2015. I’m proud to be a Peter Lynn teammember and had the opportunity to prove the kiteracingworld we are about to unleash stunning new kite.