Kiteboarders Cross Bermuda Triangle

50-mile Race from Florida to Bimini, Bahamas
by Marina Chang
December 1st, 2005

Ft Lauderdale, FL, November 27, 2005 – Team Turbo, the only all women’s team of over 100 international kiteboarding athletes and their support crews, has converged on Fort Lauderdale, Florida this week in preparation for the 2005 Bahamas Kite Race Crossing. Conditions look favorable for the race to start Friday December 2, 2005, however, organizers and participants have given themselves a window through December 11, 2005 for optimal weather. The race is a first and will cross the Gulf Stream from the East Coast of Florida to Bimini, passing through the Bermuda Triangle.

Team Turbo is comprised of 39-year-old Teri Flicek and 41-year old Julie Kuckuk, both experienced kiters with ‘normal day jobs” who from the moment they heard about the race, had no doubts that they would be participants. Kuckuk said, “No one knows what it will be like or how it will go. That is the challenge and it is my privilege to be a part of this. I dare to live my life boldly and I am happy to dream the unimaginable!” She added, “I want more females to become involved in kiting because they can. Hopefully our participation in this event will give women of all ages inspiration to try kiteboarding. It’s not about strength, but finesse and good judgement.”

Flicek shares her teammate’s enthusiasm for the challenge and added “We want to show the public that kiteboarding is a sport for all ages and levels of athleticism. The 2005 Bahamas Kite Race is definitely a once in a lifetime, tell your grandkids about it event.”

Kiteboarding has been around for about six years and is now just beginning to hit mainstream. It is a water sport which consists of specially designed power kites which propels enthusiasts across the water at speeds of 40 mph or more, and allows for huge aerial tricks and awe inspiring jumps of over 30 feet. Bahamas Kite Race Teams consist of two kiteboarders, a boat and captain. The team’s support vessel controls navigational devices and serves as the ultimate safety and support system for the riders. Boats may supply their riders with spare kites, kiteboards, food and water, but may not provide transportation or rest stops without disqualification.

Flicek feels the biggest challenge of the race will be rigging the right gear. Team Turbo’s sponsor is Turbolauncher, a tool which helps kiters keep their kite lines tangle free and allows riders to launch from boats or small launch areas. She said “The Turbolauncher will allow us to change kites if need be, and also "stay in the game" if we break a line or lose a kite. With the expected conditions, rigging and launching in the traditional way will be extremely challenging, if not impossible. It seems the Turbolauncher was made for exactly this challenge and these conditions.” Kuckuk humorously added that her major concern was big fish, because they could be hungry! Seriously, she said, “I think the major challenges for all riders will be endurance, keeping focused and reading the winds and current to keep on course.”

The wind direction could cause ocean swells to reach upwards of 14 feet and allow for a very challenging, unpredictable race. The race is estimated to take approximately four to six hours. Organizer Neil Hutchinson, 35, who earned the record for the longest distance traveled on a kiteboard, crossing 97 miles from Key West to Varadero, Cuba calls the race “The Cannonball Run for kiteboarders.” For more information about the race or Team Turbo, check out www.bahamacrossing.com or contact Neil Hutchinson at 954-647-7228.