Points & Awards
Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
Points will be awarded per race and accumulated for the 2009 season total
Points 1st 1000 2nd 750 3rd 600 4th 450 5th 300 6th 200
Everyone who starts a race will be awarded 100 points **

Classes of Racers
Not necessary for our first race of 2009, but in the coming races, classes will be designated by skill and gear. Classes will be formed and awards given per class. Riders may race with other classes, but will place depending on their class. Riders will progress to a higher class once they have finished at the top in multiple events. At this point the classes will be determined by KiteUS Race Committee and it is a learn as we go approach. The introduction of classes will allow every person to compete with others of similar skill level. Giving everyone at every level the ability to enjoy course racing is what it’s all about.

Here are the preliminary classes for the 2009 KiteUS Race Series;

Red (Expert) Sport Professionals, advanced riders and winners of other course race events nationwide
White (Intermediate) Local standouts and winners of multiple KiteUS races
Blue (Amateur) Riders with less than 2-3 years Kiteboarding experience
Pink (Women) Yeah, let’s get some woman to race!

Horn Signals
A single LONG horn blast will signify 3 minutes until the start of a race
Two SHORT horn blasts will signify 1 minute until the start of a race
A Single SHORT horn blast will signify the start of the race
Note - If the race committee needs to reset the race clock, FOUR SHORT horn blasts will sound

Right of Way
Right hand forward ALWAYS has the right of way and others must yield the right of way
Upwind kite should be high & the downwind kite flown low
If a rider does not yield the right of way and causes a tangle they are disqualified
A rider involved in a tangle, but not at fault, will be allowed to race in another heat if time permits. If time does not permit they will advance to the finals
If a tangle happens during the final, the KiteUS Race Committee will determine the outcome

2009 Race I Rules
6 to 10 riders per heat and each heat should take approximately 20-30 minutes
Course layout will be determined by the KiteUS Race Committee on race day and explained at the riders meeting
All Races will begin with a rolling start
Racers jumping the start before the horn blast will need to go around and cross back over the start line
If you jump the start and do not go out and around to re-start you would be disqualified
- In this situation a rider cannot stop and cross back over the start line, they need to go out and around
A rider may not cross back over the starting line
12 kts will be required to start the race
A rider missing a mark or not rounding a buoy without going back will be disqualified
The Committee has right to cancel a race due to conditions
In the case of a discrepancy the committee will vote and the decision is final
We will run as many heats as needed to allow everyone to race
A rider may enter several heats to attempt to qualify for the final
Winners of the heats will race in the final to determine 1st, 2nd & 3rd place

Conclusion & Deep Thoughts
Everyone, keep in mind for most of us this is the first time competing in a course race, so let's keep it casual. If you have any issues, suggestions or comments bring them to Tom (FellowCountryMan) or me (John-Turtle). Rules for the KiteUS Kiteboarding Course Race Series are going to be made for the benefit of the events, spectators and for the enjoyment of course racing. Rules will not specifically follow sailboat racing or other course race series.

Please check out the forum for the Racing Q & A.