Cabrinha Kiteboarding, and the St. Francis Yacht Club of San Francisco are pleased to announce their continuing partnership to present the 2007 Cabrinha Race Series.
photo by Chris Ray
Success of the 2006 Cabrinha Race Series has brought world wide attention to this San Francisco event and with it some new sponsors; Adventure Sports Miami, a new premier Kite and Windsurf retailer located in Miami “Where it is in stock now so you never miss a session†and Ozone Travel Company, also of Miami and a premier travel company dedicated to kitesurfers “Because all you want to do is ride.â€
Last year in its innagural year, John Craig, Race Director for the St. Francis, commented ““Long term, the partnership between industry leaders, Cabrinha, the club†and sponsors like Adventure Sports Miami and Ozone Travel, “will only increase the profile and legitimacy of kiteboarding course racing nationally and internationally. At its continued rate of growth it would not surprise me at all to see a World Kiteboarding Course Racing Championship in the near future.†Well he was right! In 2006 the PKRA and Cabrinha sponsored the first World Championships in Canada facilitated by the St Francis’ John Gomes. John also supervised the Cabrinha sponsored races at King of the Bay, and will do the same this May at the Velocity Games in Corpus Christi, Texas. Not only has the St. Francis received inquires about kite course racing from around the world, they will host the first ever US Kite Course Racing Nationals to be held at the St. Francis July 25-29, 2007.
According to Kent Marinkovic, VP Sales and Marketing for Adventure Sports, Inc. and former member of the US Olympic Windurfing Team and participant of many events at the St. Francis, “ I truly appreciate the keen vision of this yacht club and always happy to provide support for their efforts. The Cabrinha Race Series is just another example of this vision, and their pioneering spirit and professionalism. Adventure Sports Miami is pleased to become part the kite course racing growth and evolution.
Karen Beber Futernick, owner and founder of Ozone Travel Company concurs. “I’m so excited to be a sponsor of the 2007 Cabrinha Race Series. Cabrinha and the St. Francis are proven and steadfast leaders of their respective industries. We are all managed by driven and passionate people. The synergies here are amazing!†Todd Greaux, Brand manager for Cabrinha North and South America at ASI also agrees, “Cabrinha is pleased to be joined by Adventure Sports Miami and Ozone Travel as sponsors of this years Cabrinha Race Series. Our collective partnership along with the St Francis provides a strong foundation for kite course racing everywhere.â€
The Cabrinha Race Series will be held on the San Francisco Bay with the start and finish in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club with the Golden Gate Bridge as the backdrop. It will be a series of 12 evenings of course races, 3-4 races an evening with the first to be held Thursday, April 19th, 2007 and continuing each month into September. Participation is expected to average 30 or more racers. So sign up now for the series or just sign up for one or more evenings of racing when you are in the San Francisco Bay Area. Don’t miss out on the fun! Cabrinha’s Greaux commented, â€â€Kite course racing is quickly gaining in popularity because of its objective scoring providing clear winners, the capability to participate regardless of age or skill level, and its enormous spectator appeal. Imagine 35 multicolored kites all crammed at a start line barely long enough for all to fit, and traveling at 25-35mph, white water spray coming from their boards as they all head to round the same bouy..WOW!!“
The Sponsors:
Led by legendary waterman Pete Cabrinha. Started in 2000, Cabrinha offers a full line of kites, boards, accessories, kite snow boards and bindings, and waterwear, As the global market leader, Cabrinha is world renown for bringing innovations that matter to the market, including, but not limited to: the first production 5-line kite, RECON relaunch and security system, and the first successful “Bow†kites which have revolutionized the kiting industry. Cabrinha’s Crossbow was nominated for Volvo’s Sports Design Award for outstanding and innovative product and design development. Since the introduction of the Crossbow, Cabrinha has released the Contra, a specialized light wind kite, the Switchblade, the second generation of the Crossbow and Switchblade and recently its Omega. www.cabrinhakites.com
Founded in 1927, the St. Francis Yacht club is steeped in over 75 years of yachting and racing traditions. The annual racing schedule at the St Francis is one of the most aggressive regatta calendars in the world. Part of the attraction of racing at the St. Francis Yacht Club is the excellent and challenging racing conditions unique to San Francisco Bay. Both physically beautiful and naturally demanding, the Bay provides a racer with the ultimate in wind, current, and weather conditions. It is not just the great sailing that makes the St. Francis a sought after site for important regattas. The St. Francis is an ideal location because of their professional staff. When managing a regatta they provide the best in race management both on and off the water. www.styc.com or 415-820-3710
Opened during fall of 2006 and already enjoying big success as a full service retail location servicing the needs of kitesurfers, windsurfers, and adventure sports enthusiast everywhere. If you are looking for quality products like Cabrinha Kites, Neilpryde Windsurfing, JP Windsurfing, Pryde Water Wear, and Flow Snowboards, they are the ones to call. Adventure Sports Miami offers the best products, service, and support. Adventure Sports Miami where it’s IN STOCK NOW so you NEVER MISS A SESSION! www.adventuresportsmiami.com or 305-591-3559
Established in 2003, based in Miami, and owned and operated by Karen Beber Futernick, a wind addicted traveler. Karen is always seeking the newest, best and most unique opportunities for kiteboarders from around the world. Current destinations include, Brazil, Cabarete (DR), Peru, Vietnam, Hawaii, Mexico, St Lucia, The Bahamas, Greece, and Turkey. Ozone also offers exclusive and one of a kind Heli-Kite and sea plane tours in Bimini and the Exumas, as well as custom tours and yacht based kite holidays. www.ozonetravel.com
The watersports division of the Pryde Group North America (Pryde Group) and the distributor of Cabrinha Kitesurfing. ASI also distributes NeilPryde Waterwear, NeilPryde Windsurfing, and JP-Australia Windsurfing to most of North and South America. The Pryde Group also handles the administration of Flow Snowboarding International as well as the distribution of Flow throughout the Americas. 305-591-3922