William Tuthill writes...

Having missed the WISSA 2007 W.C. in Haapsalu, Estonia, I will do the next best thing. Next week, I plan to meet with the a group of kite sailors at the site of last year's W.C. in Trois Rivierres, Quebec. The purpose of that visit will be to round up competitors for WISSA 2008 which is scheduled to take place in Val Brillant, Quebec, February 2008.


After Trois Rivierres, we will go to Val Brillant, to meet with Dominique Robichard, who is in Estonia now, to make plans at the site of WISSA 2008. The lake and facilities at Val Brillant are capable of sustaining a large crowd. The risk of a "no ice" cancellation is minimal at this site, and winds are known to be reliable.

We will meet to discuss lodging options, transportation, and other things.

After the visit to Val Brillant, I hope to attend the "Stormboarding" Kite sailing event in Vermont, U.S.A..

It is a relatively new event, but the goal is to create interest in WISSA among kiters in that part of the U.S.A..

During March, there are two more event goals:

1. The newly formed NASA (North American Skimbat Association) hopes to have a first ever rally of Kitewings or Skimbats in the Lake Sunapee area of New Hampshire. Over 25 wings have been sold into the New England area since September 2006 and interest is building. A "fun racing" event for wings on Lake Sunapee could be used to bolster participation at WISSA 2008. Naturally, the event will be open to all 3 WISSA classes.
   
2. Every March, ConceptAir hosts an event known as "The Attraction". The event has been going on for many years. I hope to attend so that we can encourage the attendees to plan for WISSA 2008.
   

We had a scare with the weather in Estonia this year, but in the end the conditions came through. Cool heads prevailed, and by all accounts the organizers are doing a tremendous job. They deserve much praise for their faith and dedication- we look forward to hosting them in Quebec in 2008!

Stay tuned to this web site for breaking news about ice and snow sailing happenings worldwide.

Letters from Estonia

Hi William, great to have news of you and happy to see you next week. Up here, the ice conditions are fast but there are no much wind. Yesterday we held 4 races in 8 to 12 km/h. My bigger kite is 8 m2 and everybody run with 10 and 12 m2 so I follow the troops...

Today we have some snow and less wind. No many hope...

See you soon, Dominique

Letters from Estonia

Mein lieber Freund William,
more than once did I (and a few others) wish you and your family were with us here in Estonia.

The opening ceremony on Monday was a most impressive celebration of nordic Winter, starting with an evening procession over the ice with flickering flame torches, country signs and country flags.


We walked for about 20 minutes on solid Baltic Sea ice from the competition site (Promenaadi Hotel), to the historic centre of Haapsalu. What a beautiful setting for the opening event event - an open air theatre within 800 year old walls around, providing excellent acoustics.

The first day of racing in light winds produced interesting results due to surface conditions - ice with up to one inch of old frozen snow. The young team from Poland was doing well with their sleds and so did the Skimbat team from Finland with their nordic skates. However, it is snowing today and conditions are changing. The race committee has been doing outstanding work.
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The award for Best Design we can skip this year because there is nothing new.
That?s about it for now...have to run for the skipper's meeting.
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I am so glad that Dominique Robichaud is here. He will present Quebec's offer on Thursday evening at the WISSA meeting.

Give my love and warm thoughts to Kim, Annie and Abigale. We have been thinking and talking about you a lot.

Viele Gruesse,
Klaus