Snowkite Masters-the good, the bad, and the ugly

[stringy]

well a good showing at this years' Snowkite Masters in Skyline Utah.
Brad, Alex and myself arrived at Skyline on Monday after a 2 hour drive from SLC. Incredible scenery along the way. We arrived early enough to witness the legendary airs of Alex Peterson, US Snowkite co-captain. Wind was nice and steady with blue bird skies, more like a spring day! We met miguel on the hill and enjoyed good solid 12m conditions for the rest of Friday. Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for kitercross. While conditions were 12m another beautiful day with plenty of heats throughout the afternoon.
First kitercross pitted me, and miguel in the snowboarders heats, while Alex and Brad followed with the skiers' heats. Alex took second in his first heat to advance to the semis while Brad dominated his heats.
Brad started the championship heat blasting his way to the first upwind marker and never looked back.
Brad has now gained the respect at a national competition level by claiming his first ever Masters title! Among others notably that participated were Ken Lucas, Jason Slezak, Dmitry Maramenides, Alex Peterson. By the way, this is Brad's second claim this year, as he captured The Montana Snowkite Rodeo Kitercross two weeks ago.
Good Job Brad!
Today, Sunday, we went up the hill to experience new fresh powder, but gustier wind conditions. After a couple of hours and plenty of fresh tracks covered, a kiter came to tell me one of my friends had an accident. I raced back to the event site to find that Alex had injured his knee by pancaking into a plowed snowbank. Many thanks to the windzup crew and others for helping get alex off the mountain safely. Brad and I took him to ER and he is fine now that he has his meds. I am hoping this is not a serious injury, but he will not know the extent until he returns to Seattle.

here's a photo of the 2008 US Snowkite Masters Kitercross Champion!

[bustingbladder]

Great job again Brad. I knew you were going to do it again. Folks, you should just spend a day trying to keep up with this guy on skis. The combination of Brad on skis and his snowkiting skills, are really perfect for the snowcross. I think Brad will be tough to beat in years to come. Now you are a true rock star. What magazines were represented there? We should all subscribe to see Brad in the future issues.

W

[bustingbladder]

Damn! Didnt read the last couple of sentences. Sorry to hear about your knee Alex. Get well soon holmes!

[railgrab]

Brad, congrats on such a successful event and year! Alex, I hope you make a full recovery soon. So, Brad, how much did you pay off that guy on the right side of the picture?

Ethan

[GLENTEN]

If you ain't first, yer last...

Rite on B-rad, Obviously u r the man in the snow kiting world of racing!

Congrats yet again. You are standing tall bruthaman!

How many racers competed?
Can ya give us some details of the coarse......?

G

[bonesbrigade]

Rad brad strikes again. Good job man, soon the world will know.

Brian

[rmurray]

Way to go, B-Rad!!! Congratulations!

Is it Alex Podolac that got hurt? Sorry to hear. Glad it's nothing critical. Get well quickly, Alex!

[daveb]

right on Brad. way to crush!

[stephensibborn]

Nice going Bradley, once again, making us all proud to know ya. Sounds like another great trip except for Alex's knee, hopefully it's a speedy recovery.

[gotkite]

Bradly, You the SNOW - MASTER, but we all knew that anyway here in the PS... Congrats Allen