News Tel Chac Puerto Competition 2007 | Tel Chac Puerto Competition 2007 |
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http://picasaweb.google.com/asantacruz/TelchacMarch17th2007 It was that time of year again when kiters around the Yucatan peninsula gather to take advantage of the awesome winds blowing off the Gulf Coast. But it wasn't just the awesome winds that had people coming to Tel Chac Puerto from miles away but the unbelievable flying acrobatics and big air of Mexico's kite boarding clan. The group was out in numbers this year showing off their new tricks. The festivities and competition began on Saturday March 17 at the all-inclusive Yucatan Reef Hotel. This year seemed a bit more organized than last and I am sure each year will get bigger and better as do the kiters. We rolled up to the beach on Saturday afternoon after making the long drive through the back country of the Yucatan from Tulum. The contest was set up and we were ready to roll. Marco Cristofanelli, owner of Extreme Control's Kiteboarding School, was on the beach immediately to check out the scene. We had conveniently arrived just in time for him to enter the contest. He had his kite out and ready to go in minutes flat. The rest of us thought we'd be spectators and film the action. We got some good footage and some great shots. The air was full of flying freaks showing off their big air handle passes and whatever other new moves they had concocted. The level of competition had definitely risen since last year. The process of elimination had started. Marco threw some good moves and advanced to the second round for Sunday.
Unfortunately, during all of the excitement of filming and watching the competition a certain person (myself) lost the keys to our gigantic Suburban beast. Now with the darkness advancing fast we searched frantically in the sand around the beast. We continued into the night with the help of the police's maglights..... No luck. We decided to go back to our hotel and search again in the morning leaving the beast on her own on the beach. The next morning we arrived with high hopes wishing those damn keys with the very bright neon orange keychain would be sitting in some obvious place in the sand......No luck. Well, what to do? We decided to wait the day out and see if someone could send the keys early Monday so all we could do is chill out and enjoy the show. Sunday was a little bit windier with 16-18 knots. It was enough to give the competitors something to work with and they sure did. There was a full array of awesome technical moves and it was a blast to see the improvements. By the end, Sean Farley, Miguel Manzanilla, Chepo and Paco Chan advanced to the finals for the next day. Monday was a new day, with a locksmith coming and the finals, the day was under way. The wind was kind of light in the morning but began to pick up around noon. Once again the crew began to rise and shine and one by one the kites starting filling the air. It was a beautiful sight. The winds began to increase and increase and by the time of the finals it was blowing 25 knots! Awesome! Miguel Manzanilla and Sean Farley went head to head in a knock down drag out battle to the end. It was so close in fact that they called a re-match. The exhausted kiters had to go out and battle again for the glory of taking away the 3rd annual PAWA Mexico Championship. It was an intense show down and a truly impressive effort on both their parts. In the end Sean walked away the winner in an intense battle none of the spectators will soon forget. |