Redbull Lighthouse to Leighton

What do a Rottnest ferry skipper, farmer, submariner, IT specialist, beekeeper, photographer, sparky, student, geologist and orthopaedic surgeon all have in common? They all love wind and water, and will be competing in this Saturday's Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton kiteboard race! The 9th annual event - a 19km race from Rottnest Island to Leighton Beach Fremantle - is on Saturday 8 December.

What:

135 kiteboarders from Perth, across Australia and around the world will be aiming to beat the record of 19 minutes 3 seconds set in 2016. In favourable weather conditions the racers will be faster than the Rottnest Express ferry, and winds are looking great for this weekend.

There's A$5000 in prize money up for grabs and they'll be racing on hydrofoil boards, slalom boards, twin tips, and surfboards with kites of all colours filling the sky.

Racers to watch include:

• Guy Bridge - 19, from Devon, UK - 2018 Kitefoil European Champion, 2018 Vice World Champion, 2018 Hydrofoil Pro Tour Champion.
• Mani Bisschops, 18, from Nedlands WA. Mani is a 2018 Olympic Youth Team Representative, and Australian Kitefoil Champion in 2017 and 2018.
• Holly Bendall - The 25-year-old from the UK has been a sponsored freestyle BMX rider, surfer and snowboarder and is now working towards making it into the Great Britain Olympic team for kite foil racing.
• Shannon Ducker, 42, Innaloo WA - a multiple state champion in freestyle and wave kiteboarding.
• Alty Frisby, 46, from Samson WA. Alty was WA Course Racing Champion in 2016 and 3rd in 2017 & 2018.
• Christina Gaudieri, 37, from Beeliar WA, a past Australian Freestyle Champion, and currently the WA State Title Champion.
• Dr Phil Rowlands, 51, Duncraig WA. Has raced in all 9 events and come third twice so he wants to be in first this year.
• Jonathan Steel , 43, Sydney - won the 2018 Slalom Racing and Big Air competitions at Sand and Sea Jervis Bay, NSW.

When:

Saturday 8 December. Competitors will take off from Phillip Point Rottnest at 2.30pm (weather and wind permitting. The race may start at 2pm if the winds are strong - we will advise media that morning). In good conditions the fastest kiters could arrive at about 2.50pm. Podium presentations will take place at Leighton Beach at approximately 3.30pm/3.45pm

Where:

Phillip Point Rottnest Island for the start, and Leighton Beach, Port Beach Road, North Fremantle for the best spectator viewing of the finish.

Vision/ images:

The event is a visual feast as the kiters sail from Rottnest across Gage Roads to the mainland. We will have event photographers and videographers covering the event if you are unable to attend. Please contact me for information on how to access. We will endeavor to get images out the same day.

More info:

www.facebook.com/Lighthouse2Leighton/

www.lighthouse2leighton.com.au