IT'S OVER!
USSKM 2008 Recap
Over 100 Snowkiters gathered together atop Skyline for the 4th annual Snowkite Masters. Coming from as far as North Carolina and Tahiti, there was a variety of kiting styles represented and plenty of Utah powder for all to enjoy. The Kiter-Cross races gained the most popularity as participants and spectators were entertained by a fast and dynamic course. The terrain created unique challenges for competitors, with quick downwind-downhill runs and technical upwind-upslope reaches. Gusty conditions on Saturday forced racers to choose the proper kite size or face the chance of being blown downwind and off course. After several heats for each category, the semi-finalists went head to head to determine the final winners of the 2008 US Open. Many Snowkiters chose to freeride and explore the miles of open terrain, finding untracked lines and new features formed by evolving wind drifts. Winds peaked in the 30 mph range during the weekend, allowing skiers to hit over 50 mph on their GPS units, a new record for the area. Some ambitious kite-pilots chased the gusts and combined them with jumps to create huge flights, possibly some of the highest kite jumps ever and easily record hang times lasting over a minute long. A surprise snowstorm that brought in the stronger pre-frontal winds, also dropped fresh snow into Sunday morning, post-poning the Winduro race for another day. With the race cancelled due to white out conditions on the ridge, riders headed out in search of their own treasures. Those that stayed for the last drop were rewarded with an epic sunset session of blue skies and clearing winds. This years Snowkite Masters continued to stir the positive vibration for Snowkiting, and the stoke is even greater than before. Thank you to all who have supported this event and made it the enjoyable experience that it has become... See you all next year!
Kiter-X Race Results
Men’s Snowboard
- Tamatoa Gillot
- Jason Slezak
- James Brown
Men’s Ski
- Brad Gordon
- Kevin Steen
- Rob Whittall
Women’s Snowboard
- Heather Schenck
- Monika Masuda
- Arla Funk
Women’s Ski
- Monika Bassett
Youth Snowboard
- Kris Hasbrouck
IT'S ON!
The 4th annual Snowkite Masters rallies Kiters from around the globe for a fun weekend of Freeriding, Freestyle Exhibition and Racing. Based at Skyline in Utah, this North American leg of the Snowkite Masters series will host the US Open with National Champion Titles up for grabs.
The Snowkite Masters welcomes all Skiers and Snowboarders to participate. Registration is free for all Freeriding Snowkiters and gains access to the prize pool and Après Ski Grill n’ Chills. Competing Snowkiters can sign up for the Kiter X, Winduro & Sick Bird challenges for a chance at bigger prizes and the cash purse.
Registration is now open, please sign up over on the register page... prizes go to the first registrants as supplies last. You can check out the location page for maps on how to get to Skyline and info on lodging and hotels for when you need to crash. And if you need some questions answered, contact info is on the contact page.
Equipment Trials 
Races Comps Snowkite Clinics
Schedule
(rough, and apt to change as wind allows)
FRIDAY
All Day – Freeride
12:00 pm - Sick Bird Riders Meeting
SATURDAY
All Day – Freeride
10:00 am to 5:00 pm - GPS Challenge
11:00 am and 2:00 pm - Intro to Snowkite Clinics
9:30 am – Kiter X Riders meeting
10:00 am - Start Racing
Women’s heats
Youth’s heats
11:00 am - Kiter X Men’s Heats
1:00 pm - Lunch break
2:00 pm - Kiter X Final Heats
5:00 pm - Kiter X Awards Ceremony
SUNDAY
All Day - Freeride
10:00 am to 3:00 pm - GPS Challenge
10:00 am - Winduro Riders Meeting
11:00 am - Winduro Race start
3:00 pm - Final Awards
Competitions...
something for everyone. (Did we mention there are CASH prizes?)
Kiter X - The Kiter Cross pits Snowkiters against each other in a course race up and over terrain and obstacles. Riders roll out in heats, with the fastest finishers continuing on to the next round. The final heats determine the National Champions and US Open ranking. There are separate categories for Skiers and Snowboarders with divisions for Men, Women and Youth.
Winduro - Traditionally known as a wind powered distance race, the Skyline Winduro takes advantage of the backcountry terrain, sending Snowkiters on a marathon run along the ridge line and back on a multi mile down-winder. With the long distance and unknown wind conditions, riders must utilize all of their backcountry skills in a race to the finish, where it doesn't matter whats under your feet as long as you are first. Skins, snowshoes and any style of kites are welcome in this open class alpine race. A dual start line will give competitors the choice to take advantage of conditions in their own way... All equipment carried in the race must be packed into a backcountry pack which will be waiting at the secondary start line... Hundreds of feet back is the primary start line where racers will start in one large group, all riders racing at once.
Sick Bird - A freestyle exhibition for only the most daring Snowkiters. No Judges, No starting lines... just Height and enough Style to impress your peers is needed to win this expression session where the riders competing vote on each others performance. The Sick Bird is a Riders Choice Award based on the most proggressive riding style demonstrated.
Snowkite Masters GPS Challenge - Magellan GPS are sponsoring a GPS based competition. Snowkiters can sign up to demo a new GPS unit and push themselves to ride as fast and as far as possible. Prizes wil be awarded for the fastest speeds and longest distances covered.
OR... freeride 'til you can't stand up! It'll be a blast either way.
