divendres, 20 de desembre del 2013

The Ozi Adventure!!





I'm in Amsterdam airport just on my way back home. This is one of the longest journeys I've ever done,   referring to the amount of hours spent in a plane in a row. So first it was Perth to Melbourne (4'5h), then Melbourne-Guanzhou in China (9h), after China to Amsterdam (12h) and finally Amsterdam Barcelona 2h.

It has been 5-6 weeks of intense emotions, ups and downs, a lot of travelling and stressful and tiring moments after 3 competitions back to back.

Crossing the finish line in one of the Races at Sail Melbourne


I'm very happy with the results and specially to have ended the season with two podiums in Australian land, after coming back from a ligaments ankle injury. I'm very stoked to say that I finished the 2013 in 3rd position in the IKA Course Racing World Ranking.



The 2nd place at World Cup Sail Melbourne felt a bit bitter after loosing my 1st place due to a miscommunication from both the ISAF and the IKA members, using a medal race format that had been already dropped months ago, and used for this competition for some unexplained mistake. I won 8 of the 10 races, and even in the Medal race (only 1 race completed due to the unstable wind) I has 2 minutes in front of the 2nd competitor , but apparently I didn't crossed the finish line...no comments...I couldn't avoid just breaking in tears when they told me 5 minutes before the awards ceremony.

2nd Place at Sail Melbourne World Cup


Anyway, I had no time for wailings. I couldn't let that affecting me in the next competition which was starting only 2 days later in warm and beautiful Perth.

So I kind of block those thoughts of my mind and I focussed on the new competition, Kiteracing Oceanics Championships. I had a good start, placing myself in 3rd after Polish Aga and French Ariane Imbert. I manage to maintain that position up to the end of the competition, even managing to get one bullet on day 3! The only disappointing moment was discovering that some competitors are capable of anything to try and get one positions up on the ranking, even lying in the protest room trying to avoid a DSQ (Disqualification). I think this is pretty lame and specially because this way they loose respect from other competitors, at least she lost mine.

Melbourne City at night


We had unusual light winds during all the event, which is not normal at all in windy Perth. It's funny 'cos it seems as the more I train in strong winds the better I do in light winds.

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting some Catalan people that are actually living in Western Australia and came to the beach to cheer for me and brought the Catalan flag which I took with me up in the podium. Some people might not have liked that but I love my country and my culture and I'm very proud of my Nation. Go Catalonia!!

Thanks to all my sponsors for supporting me but specially to Ozone and KiteFix!

Sightseen: The 12 Apostles


Estoy en el aeropuerto de Amsterdam de camino a casa. Este es uno de los viajes más largos que he hecho nunca, en cuanto a horas de avión se refiere. Perth-Melbourne (4'5h), Melbourne-China (9h), China-Amsterdam (12h), y ahora faltan otras 2h hasta Barcelona.

Han sido 5-6 semanas muy intensas y llenas de distintas emociones, altibajos y el estrés y cansancio que comportan 3 competiciones seguidas.



Estoy muy contenta con mi final de temporada, habiendo logrado dos podiums en tierras australianas, y sobretodo apenas saliendo de una seria lesion de ligamentos. Estoy muy satisfecha de haber terminado 3a este 2013 en el Ranking Mundial IKA de Course Racing.  



El 2o lugar en la World Cup Sail Melbourne tuvo un sabor bastante amargo despues de perder la primera posición aun habiendo ganado 8 de las 10 regatas, e incluso terminé 2 minutos delante de la segunda clasificada en la Medal race, pero aparentemente no crucé la línea de llegada... sin comentarios... El problema es que hubo un problema de comunicación entre los miembros de la ISAF i los de la IKA y se utilizó un formato en la Medal race totalmente obsoleto. No pude evitar romper a llorar cuando 5 minutos antes de la entrega de premios se me comunicó mi paso a la 2a posición.

In action during the Kite Race Oceanic Championship


No había tiempo para lamentaciones, y mi prioridad era que eso no me afectara en la siguiente competición que empezaba a penas dos días después en la calurosa y preciosa Perth.

One of my least favourite things: Protest Room
Lo que menos me gusta de todo: en la sala de protestas con los jueces
Así que logré bloquear todo pensamiento negativo y me concentré plenamente en la Kiterace Oceanics Championship. Empecé muy bien, situándome en la 3a posición por detrás de la polaca Aga y la francesa Ariane Imbert. Puesto que defendí hasta el final de la competición logrando incluso una victoria en el 3er día! La única decepción me la llevé cuando me di cuenta que algunas competidoras son capaces de cualquier cosa por tal de intentar mejorar su posición o de evitar una descalificación, incluso mintiendo delante de los jueces. Ya tuve una experiencia similar en el Campeonato de España pero nunca en un evento internacional. Me parece muy triste que haya deportistas así, lo único que conseguiran será perder el respeto del resto de competidores. El mío ya lo han perdido.



Extrañamente tuvimos vientos suaves durante todo el evento, cuando lo usual son vientos superiores a los 20 nudos en esta zona. Es gracioso ver que como más entreno en vientos fuertes parece ser que me va mejor en vientos suaves.

Uno de los mejores momentos de la competición fue encontrarme con algunos Catalanes que viven por la zona de Perth y vinieron a conocerme y a darme ánimos. Me trajeron una bandera catalana con la que subí al podium para celebrar mi 3a posición. A más de uno no le debe haber gustado esto pero amo a mi tierra y mi cultura y quiero que todo el mundo la conozca. 
Visca Catalunya!

3rd position at the Kiteracing Oceanic Championships

Agradecimientos especiales a todos mis sponsors y en especial a Ozone y KiteFix.

divendres, 29 de novembre del 2013

Kiteboard Racing Worlds 2013, China

Hi everyone,

another  amazing event got to its end, this time we are talking about the most important competition of the year, The Kiteboard Racing Worlds Championship! The competition took place in Hainan Island, in China from the 18th till the 24th of November. An spectacular Opening Ceremony welcomed the more than 140 competitors from all over the world.




We had 4 days of strong winds where I mainly used my 7m and 9m pimp'in custom Edges, they just look amazing!!


I didn't have a very good start, the level of all competitors have highly increased and my ankle still doesn't feel 100% recovered. I placed myself on 13th position until the last day when the wind slighty decreased and I was able to use my magic 11m, while other girls were on 13m and 17m!! I got a couple of good races, finishing 8th and 6th which improved my final ranking up to 11th.


Durante las inscripciones /Registration time

On the final day, Medal Race, the wind was too light, in between 4 to 7 knots, so 1 one round of men was finished.

Congrats to Ozone team mates Florian Gruber and Erika Heineken for their World Title!


Now I'm here in Australia, getting ready for the ISAF World Cup Sail Melbourne which starts on Monday. Stay tuned for more pics of the Oz adventure. Daily updates on my Facebook Athlete Page!



Hola a todos!

otro magnifico evento ha terminada, esta vez hablamos de la competición más importante del año, el Mundial de Kite Race! La competición tuvo lugar en la localidad China de Hainan Island del 18 al 24 de noviembre. Una espectacular cerimonia de apertura nos dio la bienvenida a los más de 140 competidores de todo el mundo.

Got the opportunity to help teaching some young kids / Tuve la oportunidad de colaborar enseñando aun grupo de niñ@s chinos en su primer contact con el kite

Tuvimos 4 días de viento fuerte donde sólo utilicé mis preciosas y tuneadas Edge 7m y 9m, me encanta la combinación de colores!


Fireworks during the Opening Ceremony

No empecé muy bien la competición, el nivel de todas las adversarias ha incrementado mucho y mi tobillo todavía no está al 100%. Me situé en 13a posición, y no la pude mejorar hasta el último día cuando el viento disminuio un poco y pude utilizar mi mágica 11m, mientras otras chicas iban en 13m y 17m! Tuve un par de buenos resultados, 8a y 6a, que me ayudó a mejorar mi ranking final hasta la 11a posición.

A classic photo from Michael ;)

En el dia de la Medal Race el viento era demasiado liviano, entre 4 y 7 nudos y sólo pudieron completar una regata la flota de chicos. Felicidades a mis compañeros de equipo Florian Gruber y Erika Heineken por su título de Campeones del Mundo!

Views from my room! 21st floor!/ Vistas desde la habitación, piso 21!!

Ahora estoy aquí en Australia, preparándome para la Copa del Mundo de la ISAF, Sail Melbourne, que empieza el próximo lunes. 
Estad atentos para más fotos y actualizaciones de la aventura australiana. Actualizaciones diarias en mi Página de Atleta del Facebook

diumenge, 10 de novembre del 2013

All good things come to an end...




I can't believe I'm already packing… I can't believe Brazil is over, two months that just went by in a blink. I have so many good memories and such 
good sessions! 
I had a blast in the lagoon, remembering old times; I loved my Axis NewWaves playing in Taibinha, definitely one of the most beautiful places around; and last but not least…my Racing sessions at the Secret Spot with my training partner Catherine!!




Of course the lifetime experience downwind adventure makes me smile every time I think about it.

Now is time to move. Getting to Barcelona on Monday evening gives me a little bit more than 24h to wash my clothes, pick up my 2014 Edges, enjoy of one dinner with my family (and my little kitty) which I love and miss a ton. 



A craziness of airports, miles, continents and competitions start on Wednesday!!! China first for the Racing Worlds and Melbourne and Perth following in Australia.

If you wanna keep track of all these follow me through my blog and my FB Athlete page.

Just One Life

Lagoon night session/ Sesión nocturna de kite en la lagoa


No me puedo  creer que esté haciendo maletas de nuevo… no me puedo creer que Brasil ya se haya acabado, dos meses que han pasado en un
abrir y cerrar de ojos. Tengo tantas buenas memorias y tantas buenas sesiones que recordar!

Me lo he pasado teta en la lagoa recordando viejos tiempos; me he enamorado de mi Axis NewWaves jugando en las olas de Tahibinha, sin duda uno 
de los lugares más bonitos de la zona; y por último pero no por eso menos importante…mis sesiones de race en el Secret Spot con mi compañera de entreno Catherine!!



Por supuesto no me puedo olvidar de la súper aventura del downwind, se me pone una sonrisa en la cara cada vez que pienso en ello.

Ahora llegó el momento de moverse. Llegando a Barcelona el lunes por la noche me da un margen de un poco más de 24h para lavar la ropa, recoger
mis nuevas Edges 2014 y disfrutar de una cena con mi familia (y mi princesita) que adoro con locura y les echo mucho de menos!!



Una locura de aeropuertos, vuelos, continentes y competiciones que empezará el miércoles!!! Primero China para el Mundial de Race, seguido de Melbourne y Perth en Australia. 

Si quereis seguirme el rastro podéis hacerlo a través de mi blog o de mi página de atleta del FaceBook.

Just One Life


dilluns, 21 d’octubre del 2013

Downwinders, the video!


One more year I crossed the Atlantic to train and enjoy the perfect wind conditions of this beautiful country which I already feel like my second home, Brazil.

This time I'm lucky to have a Racing training partner with me, Catherine Dufour from Quebec. We are here preparing for the Worlds in China next November, but last week we decide to go on an adventure: a 200km downwind trip among the coast, departing from Taiba to Jericoacoara, a real challenge physically and mentally talking!!

The trip didn't start very well, Catherine kite blew out just before getting into the water. Then David broke one of his fin box and I hit myself in the face with the GoPro and all that before even getting to Paracuru!! But fortunately those were all the minor accidents we had during the downwind.

I forgot to mention that we did it with no external support of any kind, only one kite, one board, a bottle of water and some nuts.

On day 1 me made it to Icaraí d'Amontada which it is around 100km from Taiba. We lost the GPS so we don't know exactly how many kilometres we did in total ;)

Day 2 was pretty epic as well. We stopped for some water and nuts on Ilha d'Iguagiru, very beautiful place as well; with hight tight you can kite inside the river on flat water.

The wind was even stronger than on the first day. We were constantly kite looping the kites, at a times trying to slow down the speed.

When we finally saw the huge dune of Jericoacoara at the very far end was like a shot of energy...giving us enough strength  to keep going.

I literally had never been so happy to see that dune in my life, and specially to walk on it!! meaning that we had made it!!!

Here you have the video of our adventure, a real LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE!!

Downwinders from Nuria Goma on Vimeo.




dilluns, 30 de setembre del 2013

End of Summer


Entrevistando a Santi Millán


The Summer is gone in Europe and a new season is starting. To me this was a summer very different from what I expected to be. I haven't posted any news since the Europeans but I didn't have any thing to post rather than my recovery...
Ok, for those who don't know, I partially broke all the ligaments of my ankle the first week of August... At the beginning, by the look of it, the pain and specially a past experience on the same ankle, made me think that "that was it, end of kiting season for me and no Worlds again...". Miraculously, the ligaments didn't break completely so the recovery is being so much faster, 12 weeks I've been told... So right now I'm half recovered I guess, hehe...


Anyway, before the fatal day I did some cool stuff, very different from kiting but that was helping me to keep fit. In the pic above you can see me doing some hiking in Vallibierna, Benasque (Spain).



Next thing I did was sitting in the sofa for the following 3 weeks... I slowly started my recovery and many hours in the gym. I feel very fortunately to have all the support from such professionals as RehabMedic and Fernando Espejo, my favourite Physio of the whole world (although I told him I hated him when he was aplying the "Electrolisis percutania intratendinosa method" which is unbelively painful but also super effective).
 :)



I also had super cool moments related to work. First I was working as a personal coach, which I totally enjoy as I love teaching, but the experience was a bit different as I was teaching from a boat. Anyway, it was a lot of fun.



And then just a couple of weeks ago I got offered  a super amazing job, as an editor, in a company that covers all kind of events. Recently they covered the "Titan Dessert", this time was a "Skydive European Challenge"

So this is my update so long...next one is gonna be from my second home, Braziiiiil!!


diumenge, 4 d’agost del 2013

European Championship 2013



This has been one of the most crazy championship I remember, with 19 riders Disqualified and drastic changes on the ranking, affecting specially the Gold Fleet. In case you didn't hear about it, all Temaventos boards produced after #30 were DSQ. I felt very sorry for all those riders as they had no idea that their board were illegal.


Alejandro, Pablo and Florian (Spanish Team) were all quicked out as well... Elena Kalinina, the Russian young girl dropped from first to dead last, but she switch boards and managed to get into the Medal Race after wining all the races.
I didn't start very well the competition, with a tangle on the windward mark on the first race on the first day which put me on 12th place... However, I didn't let that affect to the rest of my competition and I slowly climbed up the ladder, finishing 5th at the end.



We did 4 races everyday. On the second day I had my best performance. I managed to rounded the windward mark on 2nd place after Russian Elena, and manage to get there 3rd in another race. It was a very nice feeling to be battling with Steph Bridge and Katja Roose. I can say that for the first time ever I used tactics and they worked!! I portacked the fleet at the starting line, It was three of us against the whole fleet, I managed to go throught the first and the second group of girls, and then on the second lap, after the windward mark I jibed immediately, taking the opposite way of the rest of the girls and that got me to the leeward mark gate faster. So proud of myself in that one!



It feels good when the competitions congratulate you for the race. I felt a great improvement from the last time in Egypt, the other big competition of the year. I feel that my body position has changed, for the better. I adjusted my Ozone Race Bar and now it just feels incredible and I'm sure that my new Ristafins for light wind helped in my improvement.
On the last two days I felt very tired, as on the 4th day the girls raced 4 races back to back as the Race Committee were mesuring all the boards. I got that done on my Mike's Lab on the first day with no problems at all. The extremly high temperatures we had during all week made very important to keep yourself hydrated, I was happy to have my USN products with me. You could not even walk on the beach without flip-flops!



So after a great week it was time to go back home, not after driving 8h and taking the 20h ferry back. It was quite an adventure knowing that if the van stopped it wouldn't start again! I even had to refill the tank with the engine on!
Thanks to all the guys who helped pushing my van at some point!! Now the problem is solved!!

Special thanks to Michael Petrikov for the amazing pictures!!

Surprise on the men's podium. Young Oliver Bridge (16) smoke all the competitors! Well done Oliver!


Esta ha sido una de las competiciones mas sonadas que recuerdo, con 19 riders descalificados y drásticos cambios en los rankings, afectando sobretodo la Flota de Oro. En caso que no os hayáis enterado de lo que pasó, todas las tablas Temavento producidas posterior al num.30 fueron DSQ. Lo sentí mucho por los riders afectados ya que ellos no tenían ni idea que sus tablas no cumplían el reglamento.
Alejandro, Pablo y Florian (equipo Español) también fueron descalificados… Elena Kalinina, la jovencísima Rusa, bajó del primer lugar destacada a última. Sin embargo, cambió de tabla y siguió compitiendo y logró meterse en la Medal Race del último día, ganando todas las mangas.

Yo no empecé muy bien la competición, con una enganchada en la boya de arriba en la primera regata del primer día que me relegó a un 12o puesto… Sin embargo no dejé que me afectara para el resto de la competición y poco a poco fui subiendo puestos hasta llegar a la 5a posición.


Hicimos 4 regatas por día durante los clasificatorios. En el segundo día tuve mi mejor performance. Conseguí pasar por la boya de ceñida en segunda posición después de la Rusa Elena, y pasé tercera en otra. Fue una muy buena sensación estar batallando con Steph Bridge (GB) y Katja Roose (NL). Por primera vez usé tácticas y me funcionaron! jeme, salí por babor porque la salida estaba favorecida, sólo tres de nosotras nos arriesgamos, contra toda la flota. Conseguí pasar entre el primer y el segundo grupo de chicas, y en la segunda vuelta, después de la boya de ceñida, transluché inmediatamente en dirección opuesta al resto de la flota, y llegué a la puerta mucho mas rápido. Ahí me sentí súper orgullosa de mi misma!




divendres, 19 de juliol del 2013

On my way to the Europeans Championship!




One more time I'm on the road!! but this time I'll do half of the trip on a Ferry! I'm just about to leave Barcelona on a gigantic Cruise!! Destination Civitavecchia, near Rome, and then 700km driving south to Gizzeria, in Calabria.

It is for sure gonna be an adventure, specially after the way it started…!! I got to the place where you get your ticket, I parked and once I wanted to drive the van to the boat it didn't… that's right…the van didn't start…I was trying for more than 15min and I got super stressed, I thought I was gonna miss the boat!

A very nice guy saw me starting to freak out and came to help me. Then he said he was gonna go look for help and came back with two guys, truck drivers and helped me push the van and it started!!!

OMG, I was so nervous…almost about to cry…I thought I was gonna miss the boat and the competition.

But now it's all good, van is in the boat and so I am!! I thought It was gonna be a very boring long trip but I just found out that there is a 400m gym in the boat and 2 swimming pools!!

The competition starts on Tuesday, so stay tuned for more news!!

Ciao!!



Una vez más estoy de camino a otra competición! pero esta vez haré la mitad del viaje en Ferry! Estoy a punto de dejar el puerto de Barcelona en un crucero gigante!! Destino: Civitavecchia, cerca de Roma, y de ahí 700km conduciendo hacia el sur hasta Gizzeria, en Calabria.

De bien seguro que será otra aventura, especialmente después de la manera en que empezó…! Llegué a la estación del puerto para sacar el billete, aparco la furgoneta, y en cuanto me decido a dirigirme a la cola para embarcar los vehículos…no arranca…!!! No me lo podía creer!!! He estado más de 15 min. intentando arrancar, y cuando ya me he empezado a desesperar y casi a llorar se ha acercado un buen samaritano que estaba viendo mi desesperación!! se ha ido a buscar a dos chicos mas (camioneros) y entre los tres han empujado la fuego y han logradoque arrancara!! Yo estaba ya casi llorando, creía que iba a perder el barco y la competición…

Pero ahora ya pasó todo, la furgo está embarcada, yo estoy también! Pensaba que seria un viaje súper aburrido y largo pero acabo de descubrir que hay un gimnasio de 400 m y dos piscinas!!

La competición empieza el martes, así que ya os mantendré informados!

Ciao!!


Somebody wants to come with me in the board bag...?
Creo que hay alguien que se quiere venir conmigo en el boardbag :)

dissabte, 13 de juliol del 2013

South/Central American and Spanish Championships



June has been a month full of action, travelling and competition!! 3 competitions in less than a month can be a little bit too much, specially if you add a couple of days of travelling each way and a terrible jet-lag!! But I guess that's part of the game ;)

snorkeling


So I already told you about the comp in Sanfran, definitely my favourite of the 3!! The day after it ended we all flew to Bonaire, Dutch Antilles in the Caribbean. Beautiful place!! Paradise of divers for sure!
with Alejandro Climent and Catherine Dufour

Definitely a different spot from San Francisco, from wearing a 5'4 mil. wetsuit to kiting on board shorts and making the impossible not the get burned!! Glad MADFORM safe my ass or better said my skin :)

So after a second place in the North Americans, I got a 4th place in the Central/South American's Championship. Nayara Licariao, the Brasilian girl, killed it winning all the racers. And it was pretty tight in between the rest of us, exchanging positions the whole time.

I was lucky to have my USN recovery products with me as I really needed them after 2 competitions back to back.




And then came the loooong way back home. Three days of travelling and the worse jet-lag ever after spending a month on the other side.

Tired of just reading it?? Just wait and see what was next!! haha...

I hardy had three or four days at home and it was time to pack again. Next destination the Spanish Championships in Isla Cristina, Huelva, right on the furthest place possible from Barcelona!!! 1.400 km driving, around 16 hours...

Afegeix la llegenda


We had an average of 6'5knots during the 4 days of competition. The organisation as always got a 10! but the judges really shoul not call then that...not professional at all. If we have rules in kiteboarding Racing is to follow them. 

I know the world is full of injustice and life is not fair in loads of aspects but I really felt frustration and I even stopped having fun...and unfortunately that was the general feeling of the rest of the fleet. 

I have my gear prepared for a minimum of 6knots including the current, so measuring 6knots from a DRIFTING boat. Those guys should understand that we are NOT boats, so if the gust goes down to 3 knots for 10 seconds, we DON'T FLOAT!! 

And then, why if there's a commette of 3 judges, one single judge (I doubt that even with the minimum qualification) can decide one protest, without this one being written down, not going with a hearing...and out of time!!! and to me was an arranged protest... Why were they giving Redresses to everybody just because they were asking for it???!!!! 
Just Unprofessional the whole event.

That said, everything was decided on the last race. And that "protest" put me in second place. 



Anyway, I feel proud of getting second on a 15m kite when most of the riders could not even fly a 17m. I guess my friend and good rider Leticia Quesada also felt my pain!!

Anyways. that was a competition to forget. Now I'm enjoying a wonderful time here in Portugal, beautiful country although the wind has not been very present in the trip.

More about Portugal soon!!





diumenge, 16 de juny del 2013

En RTVE para el programa Redes



Os acordais que hace unos días colgué unas fotos en Facebook de la grabación del programa de TV de Eduard Punset?
Pues bien, ayer domingo 16 se emitió por TV2. Para los que os lo perdisteis o como yo estáis en el extranjero, aquí os dejo el video. Yo aparezco a partir del minuto 21:49.



Un saludo des de Bonaire, una de las islas de las Antillas Holandesas!!

Making off


Do you remember that a few weeks ago I posted a few pictures on FB about the making off of the TV program Redes?
Well, it was on air Yesterday in TV2. For those who missed it or like me are abroad, here you have the video. I'm on from minute 21:49
Greetings from Bonaire!!

diumenge, 9 de juny del 2013

North American's Championship 2013

Catherines Dufour (3rd), Erika Heineken (1st), Núria Gomà (2nd)



I'm on my flight to Bonaire (Deutch Antilles) after spending two weeks in one of the most incredible cities in the world, San Francisco.
I fall in love  with this city since day one, not only for its beauty but specially for its amazing kiteboarding community and spots.

Crazy conditions on the Bay


Crissy Field is without a doubt one of the most challenging and difficult places I've ever kited in! The four days that lasted the Regatta in the N.A. Championships where a learn-learn situation. I have to say that although all the difficulties of the spot (gusty-strong wind, insane current, flooding, chop…) I had a lot of fun. All those challenging  conditions make me even prouder of myself for my 2nd place after the  2012 World Champ and also an Ozone Team mate and good friend of mine, Erika Heineken.

One of the starts with a real shot gun! / Una salida con pistola de verdad!


We started with the qualification series followed by the final series. They split the 74 riders from 23 countries in two fleets, yellow and blue, and we raced 4 races/day each fleet. So after 3 days we had 12 races. On the last day, Silver and Gold fleet raced 2 more regattas each and the Platinium fleet (top 10 guys) a total of 4 more. So exciting to watch!
Rob Dean and the rest of the San Francis Yacht Club crew made of this a five star event!

Yes, that is me... / Sí, esa soy yo...


I have so many positive things to say about this event that I could go on and on for ever. Don't worry that I'm not gonna do it, instead I let you with a few pictures! (Thanks Michael Petrikov for the amazing photos!!).

And this was my lucky lycra! Mi lycra de la suerte!


Estoy de camino a Bonaire (antillas holandesas) después de pasar dos magnificas semanas en una de las ciudades más increíbles de todo el mundo, San Francisco.
Me enamoré de esta ciudad desde el día uno, no sólo por su belleza pero sobretodo por su maravillosa comunidad de kiters y sus spots.

Skippers meeting with Rob Dean


Crissy Field es sin duda alguna uno de los sitios más difíciles y técnicos donde he navegado. Los cuatro días que duró el evento fue un constante aprendízaje. Tengo que decir pero que, a pesar de todas las dificultades técnicas, me lo pasé muy bien. La dificultad del spot (viento fuerte y rancheado, corriente desmesurada, chip…) hace que todavía esté más satisfecha con mi 2o lugar, detrás de la campeona del mundo del 2012 y también compañera de equipo Ozone (aparte de muy buena amiga mía), Erika Heineken.

Men's podium: Riccardo Leccese (3rd), John Heineken (1st), Brian Lake (2nd)


Empezamos la competición con las clasificatorias seguido de las finales. Nos dividieron a los 74 riders de 23 países en dos flotas, amarilla y azul. Navegamos 4 regatas por día y flota. Así que después de 3 días llevábamos 12 arces. En el último día, la flota Silver y la Oro hicimos 2 regatas más, mientras que la Platinium (10 mejores riders) hicieron 4. Fue un espectáculo absoluto! 

We had the best views every evening while having dinner
Cenando cada noche con las mejores vistas de toda la ciudad


Rob Dean y el resto del equipo del San Francis Yacht Club lograron que este evento fuera inmejorable! un diez para ellos!
Tengo tantas cosas positivas que podría extenderme largamente, pero no os preocupéis que no lo haré. En cambio os dejo con unas cuantas fotografías. Muchas gracias Michael Petrikov por las increíbles fotografías.

I couldn't have had a better end of the trip, me, Mike and my new Mike's Lab!!