The 6th annual King of the Bay was held June 23, 24, and 25 at 3rd Ave in Foster City, Calif. Although the wind was not spectacular, moderating between 15-22mph, the competiton and fun were!
Cabrinha Pro Team riders Shawn and Jesse Richman, and Cabrinha amateur riders, Jeff Ruoss and Jeff Kafka dominated the three kite disciplines; Best Trick, Kiter X, and the new and exciting Course Racing.
Jesse Richman, 14 year old rider from Maui, beat out Mark Doyle and older brother Shawn (17) to capture the Pro Best Trick with a spectacularly smooth and high forward mobe/kite loop. Previous freestyle winners include Ruben Lenten, Aaron Hadlow, Andre Phillip, and Sky Solbach.
Jesse also rode to victory in the Pro Kiter X topping Sean Farley (North-Mexican National Champ), and again older brother Shawn who was fresh off a victory at the Velocity Games.
Shawn, however, got his revenge in the Pro Course Racing by capturing the top prize while winning 3 of the 6 races. Sean Farley was again sandwiched between the Richmans in second, with Jesse finishing third.
Jeff Ruoss, managing partner of Kite Wind Surf in Alameda, Calif captured the top spot among the amateur course racers and 3rd overall (pros and amateurs competed against each other) while Geoff Headington (SS) took 2nd with Jeff Kafka, owner of WOW Kiteboarding in 3rd.
It is interesting to note that 5 of the top 6 finishers in the Kite Course Racing were riding “Bows†or bow similar kites, and all rode “non traditional “ boards.
Jeff Kafka, also took a second in the amateur Best Trick with Rocky Chatwell (Airrush) capturing the top spot. Jeff competed an unhooked triple back/kite loop.
Throughout the 3 days of competion, Jesse rode his Switchblades, Shawn his Crossbows, while the Jeffs rode the new Contra.
During each day of the contest, several hundred spectators were treated to fierce but friendly competion in the back drop of warm, sunny, breezy San Francisco Bay conditions. To reciprocate, the spectators and Helm of Sun Valley, San Mateo, Ca. (organizers of the event) demonstrated their warm hospitality and support.
