The following is the official press release announcing the 2nd Annual U.S. National Kiteboard Racing Championship:

The 2nd annual U.S. Kiteboard Racing Championship will be held at Crissy Field in San Francisco, California from Tuesday, June 10 through Sunday, June 15, 2008. The St. Francis Yacht Club will be the organizing authority for the free family-friendly event. Bay Area competitors hail from Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Marin, Santa Cruz and San Francisco.

“Course Racing is beginning to have a huge influence on the sport of kiteboarding,” said John Gomes, the developer of the race series and member at the St. Francis.

Exploding in popularity, kiteboarding uses a wake-style board combined with a large inflatable kite attached to 100-foot lines that attach to the rider’s harness. Riders handle anywhere from 15 to 40 mph winds.

BOAT RIDES for journalists will be available – call 415-279-1644 or 707-971-9994. A FREE CLINIC for all ages designed to introduce new riders to kiteboarding will be available Saturday June, 14 at 3:00p.m., meet at the announcer’s podium.

Detail on Races:
The racing will begin each day at 3:00p.m., and will be visible from the Crissy Field Beach and Golden Gate Bridge. There will be 10-15 races over each of the five days of the competition. Each race takes 10-20 minutes and includes dozens of riders on a course similar to the type used in sailboat racing. Qualifying races will be run Tuesday-Thursday, which will determine top-tier and secondary-tier competitors who will comprise the Gold and Silver fleets for the finals on Friday and Saturday. The pros will also thrill fans during a Saturday 3:00p.m. “freestyle” session boosting huge air and innovative tricks.

About the St. Francis Yacht Club
Founded in 1927, St. Francis Yacht Club was the first yacht club to sponsor kiteboard racing. The St. Francis has hosted a bi-weekly kiteboard racing series since 2004. The Club is a year-round host of over 40 regattas on San Francisco Bay including the annual Rolex Big Boat Series each September. The club was host to the 2000 U.S. Olympic Sailing Trials, the 2005 29er World Championships, the 2005 470 World Championships and continues to host World and National Championships at all levels.

Athlete registration and background: http://www.stfyc.com

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