Jan 21, 2012
Author: Pete DeKay
 The windsurfers exacted a bit of revenge on the kiters with Tyson Poor (NeilPryde, JP, Dakine, NPX) claiming victory at the La Ventana Classic's 11-mile Island Crossing. We contacted Poor and Wyatt Miller (Naish, Dakine) to get their thoughts on both the Lord of the Wind Showdown (last week in Los Barriles) and the Island Crossing from just days ago.
What happened at the Lord of the Wind Showdown? Why did the kiters win?
Tyson Poor: The last day of the Lord of the Wind Showdown there was no wind all morning. Then it started to pick up slowly and only got to around 8 to 12 knots. None of us had the huge formula gear to match the kiters. We were all using slalom gear with sails that were way too small.
Wyatt Miller: Well the wind was blowing 13 knots. At the last minute we were all scrambling to borrow formula boards and the biggest fins and sails we could find. Jason Voss was the most successful finding a Mike Zajicek formula board and a 10.0-meter.
Did the kiters talk trash after or were they cool?
Tyson Poor: There was one kiter who I won't mention that told me to come ask him if I wanted to ride some fast gear. Kind of a dick. But Johnny Heineken, the guy who won it, as well as all the other racers were really cool. They knew there was no chance in those winds.
Wyatt Miller: Adam Kock was well 'a Cock', after the event he asked Tyson if he wanted to use some "fast gear." Heineken is the man though, he is real cool, he would fully be on the team if we could only get him to start windsurfing.
How were the conditions for the La Ventana Classic Island Crossing and how did it feel to beat the kites?
Tyson Poor: The La Ventana race was good. Could have gone for a bit more wind. We had to work pretty hard to get as much speed out of the board as possible. Felt good to win for sure.
Wyatt Miller: It was still pretty light in the LV classic, I was on an 8.8 and my 110 slalom. If it was 7.0 conditions it would not even be close. Heineken beat me across by a little by Tyson was a half mile in front of him. Passing the other 2 lead kiters half way across felt pretty darn good I must say, especially when I turned around to see one of them hit a sting ray and eat it.
Was it close?
Tyson Poor: It was really close. I had to put as much distance in front of Heinekin before starting the downwind leg because I knew he was going to make up some serious ground. He made up a serious lead on the downwind leg, putting us only 5 feet apart rounding the last buoy. Normally you can shut off a windsurfer with bad air, but not possible with the kites. I had to pinch him off at the bottom buoy of the finish line, only beating him by 3 feet. Really close race.
Wyatt Miller: Tyson was a half mile in front of the first kiter on the crossing, but since the windsurfers always win they put this 1.5 mile straight down wind cheater courser race leg at the end after the crossing so the kiters can catch up. Tyson knew that a half mile was barely enough he would have to cover 5 times as much distance on the course race while the kiter could just slowly loop his kite straight down wind.
Did you talk trash after?
Tyson Poor: No trash talking after... HA! But I did want to go up to that kiter who talked smack at the Lord of the Wind Showdown and offer him some truly fast gear. I believe he finished somewhere around 10th or so in the La Ventana Classic... just sayin...
Wyatt Miller: Tyson is too dam chivalrous, I would have been talking smack for sure.
 What are your plans for the rest of the Pro-Windsurfing La Ventana season?
Tyson Poor: To just relax for a bit! I need at least a week off... haha. Other than that, fishing is on the list, windsurfing for sure, as well as showing our guests the time of their lives down here.
Wyatt Miller: Finally we are done with racing so we can just chill, well actually the next two weeks are our busiest with tons of guests, so we will be scrambling to clean toilets and mop floors, plus the rule here at PWLV is that Tyson and I have to out party all the guests which can be tough. Its going to be really windy though so hopefully we can get some sleep. Definitely going to have to make some hot tubs at the hotsprings and do some amazing 4-wheeler missions on the coast road to Barilles. Plus the couch that one graced the opening spread of windsport is back....finally, reupholstered with the Mexican flag and our log. Couchball is Back!
Catch any big fish lately?
Tyson Poor: No big fish. We have been all over the place for the last two weeks. And the wind has been so good, so the fishing has been put aside for a bit. Looking to hook into some soon though. Hear the Yellow Tail are running like crazy right now!
Wyatt Miller: Its been so windy that we havent been able to fish in a long time. I hear Tyson may have to catch a greased pig tonight at the Lucha Libre match tonight.
Thanks Tyson and Wyatt... You can go visit (and try to out-party) the guys at their La Ventana, Baja resort: Pro Windsurf La Ventana. CLICK HERE to go to their Facebook Page.
La Ventana Classic Island Crossing Results:
Men's Windsurfing
Tyson Poor, 22:30
Wyatt Miller
Brian Metcalf
Women's Windsurfing
Sam Bittner
Heidi Lapray
Men's Kite
Johnny Heineken, 22:31
Brian Lake
Damien LeRoy
Women's Kite
Erica Heineken
Marie LeClerc
Rachel Callaghan
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