Jono77 said..
Who has Slacks old custom L2L board? It would be nice to see something like that get going. If it's sitting in someone's shed on Saturday not getting used, let me know and I'd happily take it for a quick ride across from Rotto.

I'm wiping the cobwebs off it ATM.

I had a big SUP race on the weekend so was concentrating on that (and learning to SUP foil) and haven't even kited for months, I was hoping to get out for a kite this week but worked all day Mon & Tues and now the wind doesn't look like co-operating.

I'm hoping it's like riding a bike.....

BTW I believe Slacks Cape Doctor has done every L2L crossing since it was made, it did make the crossing last year as well, I came in in 31st position in conditions that were far from what it was designed for.

IMO a foil will still win it, if any custom slalom type board has a chance it almost certainly won't be me.

A complete lack of practise on my part won't do the board any justice but it will still be nice to get some wind for a kite race for a change.

2 pm sounds spot on and should be at least 20 - 25knts by then / stoked to see the conditions coming together this year and it is going to be an exhilarating day on the water! / All information has been coming through clear and concise so once again good skills Tim!

Edit update

11.30am on Friday and it is already showing 19 - 23knts at Rotto

and tomorrow should be a bit stronger

so could be more like 25 - 30knts by 2 pm Raceday ??

It's roaring in Freo now about 1km inland. Don't worry about running out of puff like all the other years!

A link to the results should be posted here this evening I guess.

Guy Bridge destroyed the record this year, this family is just from another planet.

Thanks to the organisation for another awesome day!

Foil board should have its own category maybe ?

Surf / race board it's own. ??

Can anyone involved, actually describe wind ,ocean,weed,shipping lane windshadow conditions of race please..and their own personal race experience ..optional.

Yeah those 2 guys on twin tip and directional board coming over the line, respect you could see they got a full body workout all the way across

I agree the foilers should have their own category and possibly a slightly earlier start but that would be tough logistically.

Great pics. I've never got to see the race in person, they put it in perspective.

I had a shocker of a start but had a go pro rolling so I thought I would share.
I started from the beach way upwind with a minute to go to the start, as you can see on my GPS right at the start of the video.
I underestimated how long it would take to get to the line because the wind was a bit light close to the shore and heading at that angle downwind plus the congestion with people falling off in front of me and swinging their kites back (or flying them at 12 o'clock) or even turning around and kiting back towards the shore.
It was a bit of a fuster cluck.

When I finally could dive my kite down into the power zone, right at the line at the back of the boat, I got a little excited and crashed within about fifty metres of the start
I think I got distracted by the kiter coming back towards the Island just upwind, well that's my excuse.
I didn't fall again and managed to make up a few spots by the finish.