The Crossing keeps moving forward! The Crossing of 2008 seems readily prepared to maintain the epic status of it’s predecessors. With a course of 18-24 miles, it readily outdistances any other comparable events. And for a little frosting on the cake, we have added the category of biathlon, or Windathlon. It will involve windsurfing the first lap, then kiting the second lap. It had been discussed as a possible event during the planning of an expedition to Madeline Island. It seemed only logical since the vast majority of kiters in the earlier years came out of the windsurfing community. Of course, that was a contributing factor to combining windsurfers and kiters in the redesigning of The Crossing a year ago. Incredibly, the concept lay dormant until Randy Johnson enlightened us once again.

We have added the Notice of Race and lodging info to our Fleet 8 web site as well as a PayPal button. Since we put the Notice of Race in a PDF to make it easier to print and mail, just provide the information in your e-mail registration. If you have registered for Fleet 8 events before, there should be no need to duplicate information that hasn’t changed, just name, category, shirt size and type, and include any guest. The PayPal button is a Donate button and has a fixed amount of $75 until midnite Tuesday, then the $120 late fee goes into effect. Guest fees will have to be paid at check-in time. You can find all this by scrolling down the page at http://fleet8.com/news/.

With over three dozen windsurfers registered, we are even or a little ahead of last year at this time. The kiters are lagging well behind. The good news is that we have 16 registered kiters that weren’t even on the invite list last year. But less than half of the elite group on the water a year ago have registered which leads us to believe that the challenge was tougher than anyone wanted to admit. Understandable when you consider that only half of the windsurfers even started and only 16 completed the two laps.

Currently, adequate lodging still remains available. We will provide up to date lodging info and a final preregistered count Wednesday.

Waconia brings Team World together again! For the past several years, the Waconia Wind & Wave has been the training ground for entry-level racers. Scheduling conflicts moved it two weeks later and what a difference. After a reasonably successful Tuesday’s on Calhoun program this summer, anticipation was high for even more entry-level racers on the starting line. But the two weeks had cooled the waters and the lack of adequate wetsuits with the newbies, cooled their attendance. In true balance, the September date allowed key members of Team World to make the trek, maybe redefining the Wind & Wave as a Team World Reunion.

Saturday’s forecasted winds (7-10 mph) were definitely there during rigging and registration. At the racers meeting, it was decided to do two races before a lunch break. The winds picked up a little for the races, but picked up even more while the racers chowed on pizza. The afternoon was limited to three races as a storm front approached. The rains held off until everyone gathered for the shrimp boil on the shores of Minnetonka, but then again receded when it was time for the shrimp and corn to make their debut.

Sunday, once again Waconia proved she wanted to stand up to her big-sister Mille Lacs by nearly doubling the forecasted winds. Five races were completed in 15-20 mph winds by 2:30 so the long-distance travelers could get an early start back home. Results are as follows:

Open
Steve Johnson Shoreview, MN
Brad Woodworth aka ‘Woody’ Dryden, Ont
Larry Miller aka ‘Lars’ Brainerd, MN

Limited
Peter Hartwich Excelsior, MN
Ray Muller aka ‘TB Ray” Thunder Bay, Ont
Larry Reed aka ‘low-boom Larry’ Dallas Center, IA

Women
Kelly Johnson Shoreview, MN

Sport
Friedhelm Brinkhaus West Des Moines, IA

- Update for The Crossing -

The BIG EVENT is a little more than two weeks away and the stoke is building. Friday is the first deadline for saving money. We are offering as an option to the sweatshirt, a long-sleeve T-shirt with the same logo. This option is only available to those who mail their advanced registration no later than Monday the 22nd. For those that have already mailed their registration, just reply if you want the long-sleeve T and confirm size.

The Crossing is limited to the first 100 registrants. If the kiters fill their 40 slots as anticipated, there is only room for 60 windsurfers. The last three years, there have been around 50 or a little less. And the last day for the lowest fee is Friday. Valuable info for procrastination planning.

Currently, we have a dozen kiters committed, half of them women. Kiters can reserve a slot by e-mail, but their registration must be mailed within 72 hours to complete the reservation. Approximately 60 regional kiters are on the pre-qualified list. Remember, we will take only the first 40 qualified kiters to reserve a slot by e-mail.

Click here to download registration form.
Click here to view lodging options.