Kona One Racing - A Great Opportunity

konajoe · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 517

There are going to be 2 big Kona events in North America in the next 14 months. Kona North Americans (50 - 70 sailors) will be in Minnesota this August. Kona 2013 Worlds will be in Canada. There probably aren't going to be many more opportunities in our lifetimes to participate in large fleet one design racing like this.

A small group of us purchased Konas to prepare for and attend 2010 Worlds in Miami. That big fleet racing is exciting! But, what was even more fun was the preparation for the event. We sailed WAY more than we had in previous years. Light wind or heavy wind, it didn't matter. We wanted to figure out how to sail these things. In the end, we were better sailors, we were more fit, and had a really good time for several months. Going back to the one board, one sail concept made things really easy.

Kona racing is unique in the history of windsurfing racing. Everyone must use the Kona hull and a Kona sail. But the sail size you use is based on your weight. It really mixes things up. Kona is also a no-pumping class.

So, our local group will be a little bigger this time. We'll get a few more Konas in the area and practice alot more. Once we think we have them figured out, we'll go to North Americans and probably get killed. Then, we'll apply the tricks we learn at North Americans, and do better at 2013 Worlds. It'll be fun.

Hope others can join us. Check out konaone.com

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656

I'll be at the worlds next year for sure!

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA

Don't forget about the Kona One New England Championship August 1 and 2 at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club. It's a qualifier for . . . wait, no need to qualify for anything. We might only wish we had that problem.

It's part of a terrific celebration of windsurfing that also includes the Techno 293 National Championship and the RS:X New England Championship!!

The Notice of Race is here: http://vhyc.org/viewAttachment.aspx?id=2178

konajoe · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 517

For all of you medium and heavy weights who got tired of the light guys winning one design races, the 'different sail sizes for different weight classes' thing seems to be working. Two of the top 3 at 2011 Worlds were mediums, one was light. At 2012 US Nationals, two were heavy and one was medium.

konajoe · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 517

Pre-registration is up near 50 with a month left to go. A few charter boards are still available. See konausa.org