Nothing to do with sponsorship. Organizers were influenced by a minority of disgruntled windsurfers fearing that kites might start taking over a classic windsurfing event and a perceived increased danger posed by kiters even if they raced separately.
Most windsurfing friends of mine are still keen to see prove that they are faster than kites over the same ocean course. Let's have some fun together on the water and have a drink together afterwards like we used to? Forecast for Saturday isn't exactly howling SW all day.
Maybe WAKSA can ask the organizers once more? There's nothing more the organizers have to do - safety, cary boats, finish line officials all still have to be in position from about midday - they'd get more entry fees and I'm sure many kiters would be happy to waive prizes. Let the kites race separately before the wind kicks right in? At least on light wind years it might not all be in vain - I understand that last year they just went around the first cray boat then straight to Lano because the wind was too light - would have been great for kites :-( at least something for the other cray boats to watch after sitting out there for hours.
We all love the party @ Lano on Saturday night
