Miami Pro-Am: No wind, but good fun

Windy conditions at a Florida regatta isn't always a certainty.  Although Miami usually has good wind, this weekend didn't have the conditions we would have liked to see.  The wind was from the east and averaged about 5 knots.  

Although this meant that the Formula fleet didn't race, we did get to hang out on the water and go to some good parties.  The race organizer, Alex Morales from Windsurfing Tour Miami, made sure we were well fed and entertained.  There was lots of opportunity to discuss fins, new sails, and the new production boards.  

Working the board to make it plane

New production boards from Starboard, Exocet, and Patrik Diethelm (formerly at F2)

On the other hand, the Kona fleet sailed 7 races in the light wind.  There was much cheering and heckling from the idle Formula sailors as the boards raced.  Close racing was had by the top 3 men, and after a protest, former world champion Bruce Matlack was upset by Mike Rayl for second place.  Steve Gottlieb from Sandy Point Progressive Sports took first.  In the junior fleet, developed by Britt Viehman, Kevin Hendrickson, Chris Waldo, and Margot Samson took first, second, and third.

Competitors at the Pro-Am