Annie

By William Tuthill

Here comes the new generation!

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RFC#001

Here comes the first Request for Change of the WISSA RULES published on this site.
Although there were many before we would like to start tracking and discussing those requests and will be updating the rules after each WISSA event.

Please post your comments and questions below.

By: Richard Saltonstall

Maine Ice and Snow Sailing Association
28 Pine Brae Ln
Rockport, ME 04856

Addendum to WISSA Rules

A7a

Tacking and gybing: Sailors tacking or gybing must give way. Sailors may not maneuver so as to involve the probability of a collision with another sailor whom, owing to position or speed cannot keep clear.

A11

Obstructions: Obstructions are any object that cannot be safely sailed over. A sailor approaching and unable to clear an obstruction without fouling or endangering another sailor shall signal the other sailor for room to clear. The signaled sailor shall at once give room and if it is necessary to tack or gybe, the signaling sailor shall also tack or gybe immediately thereafter.

B1a. Within the mark circle perimeter the sailor on port tack shall give way to the sailor on starboard tack.

Interpretations:

1

When rounding a mark, if more than one sailor reaches the mark circle perimeter at the same time, the outside sailors shall give way to the sailor closest to the mark.

2

At the finish line, a tie is broken by awarding the finish to the sailor closest to the finish mark.

Be ruthless, I like the WISSA rules because they are so simple. However I think that bigger fleets of sailors will make some more rules necessary. Should interpretation 1. be a part of rule B1?

Ciao Dicky

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2008 Wrap-up

WISSA 2008 was the 28th anniversary of the longest running contest in the history of windsurfing, wing sailing and kite sailing. The conditions were epic!

With two years to plan, the organizing committee was ready. They had secured funding from the government of Canada, as well as a host of local sponsors in advance of our arrival. When not racing, competitors were treated to local delicacies, and cultural experiences such as music, food, drinks, and games. The night time distractions made it hard to find time to wax skis.


For the first time, the Kite Class had its own separate race course, while the wings and kites shared a common starting line.

RACING:

12 course races in an “up - down” configuration with 3 throwaways.

Speed Trials and a long distance marathon.

CONDITIONS:

Nearly a meter of snow fell during five days of competition. Winds ranged from moderate to gale forced with temperatures never coming above –10°C. On the last day the temperatures hovered around –20°C and wind chill values were around -40°C.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Open Class:
- A new ice sailing sled from Latvia won the Best Design award. The manufacturers successfully pitched the “short track” concept for next year’s event in Riga, Latvia.
- The all new Windski Carve was on hand for demo and testing.
- Marcel Bradette and Langis Caron from Quebec raced on their remarkable winter windsurfing skis.
- Team Poland raced on sleds provided by Janusz Butylkin (Poland) and Igor Renkas (Ukraine)
- Juha Mannermaa of Finland easily won the W.C. title. Teammate Feodor Gurvits has a new sled design which he will make available through wissa.org

Wing Class:
- North American distributor Velum Gravity had a fully staffed booth on he ice featuring demos and sales of all Kitewing products.
- Amazing wing sailor Claude Chasse of Quebec finally took the world title. Where is Vesa Leskinen now?
- Welcome to our new friends – the P Riders from Belgium. What a great team!

Kite Class:
- Virtually every major relevant kite manufacturer was represented at www.wissa2008.org
- All types of kites were put to the test. Inflatable water kites raced foil and flex kites under demanding circumstances.
- The Coupe de Quebec joined forces with WISSA to make a super kite event www.kitezone.ca

WISSA2008 will be remembered as one of the best events ever. The organizers did a great job, the conditions were challenging, and the place was extraordinary. The torch has been passed to Latvia for WISSA2009. Get ready, get psyched, the adventure continues!

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Kite skiing in 1958

Let's see what was around just 50 years ago. I wonder, why did this sport not boom at that time?

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Kite to pull ship across Atlantic (photo update)

Photo update to this article



Photo © Reuters/Scanpix

(more below)

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59.9 miles!

by William Tuthill

Wing sailing on Lake Sunapee this past week end was world class!

SO much wind that only a 4.8 meter wing was needed

The scenery was so nice that I went 59.9 miles ( 96.4 kilometers) in robust winds on a crusty snow surface between 1:30 pm and dark. I would have walked the extra 1/10th of a mile if I knew that I was that close to 60! It was too dark to read the GPS. The legs will get a break because we all drive to Val Brilliant, Quebec for the World Championships http://www.wissa2008.org NEXT weekend! Have a great week.

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