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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2018
From Too Much to Not Enough at 20th Annual Ronstan Bridge to Bridge
Photos © St. Francis Yacht Club/Amanda Witherell
Just as the tide turned from ebb to flood, 26 hydrofoil kites, 23 5o5s and eight windsurfers
queued up for the 20th running of the Ronstan Bridge to Bridge, hosted by St. Francis Yacht
Club on August 9, 2018. A downwind distance race from Golden Gate Bridge to the west span
of the Bay Bridge, with a steady 20 knots of breeze at the start and a flood tide, spectators were
hoping to see kiter Johnny Heineken crack the 11-minute mark or better for a new course
record. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite hit those milestones, but he did nab his sixth first-place
finish and stands out for the most wins in the race’s 20-year history.
“It was definitely my fastest time ever down to the bridge,” said Heineken, who finished the
course in 11:04, followed by Gabriel Wicke, then Joey Pasquali. Sailing a size 13 “was too much
kite for the beginning of the race but that’s how it has to be for this race,” he added. The bigger
kite powered him through the light air at the bottom of the course that stymied most of the other
competitors. Only seven kiters, five windsurfers and 12 of the 5o5s finished – a normal outcome
for this tricky course that runs from the nuclear narrows of the bay’s entrance around the corner
into the wind shadow of San Francisco’s eastern coast.
Among the windsurfers, Chris Radkowski won the day in 22:02, edging out Xavier Ferlet by ten
seconds. Jean Rathle crossed the line third.
Michael Menninger and Reeve Dunn were first over for the 5o5 fleet, with a time of 25:08. “We
started out away from everybody and keyed into a nice puff,” recounted Dunn. “Michael did a
great job keeping on the pressure and I just held on.”
Menninger and Dunn also had a good first day in the first three races of the 5o5 North American
Championship, which started earlier in the afternoon. Standing at second overall, they were
awarded the Ronstan Top Performer of the Day. Mike Martin and Adam Lowry nabbed two
bullets for first overall and Craig Thompson and Matthew Woodworth are holding strong at third.
Buoy racing continues tomorrow through Sunday and with seven World Champions on the
course, the 5o5 North American Championship remains anyone’s game.
Ronstan Bridge to Bridge Results: CLICKY
2018 5o5 NA Results: CLICKY
August 9, 2018
From Too Much to Not Enough at 20th Annual Ronstan Bridge to Bridge
Photos © St. Francis Yacht Club/Amanda Witherell
Just as the tide turned from ebb to flood, 26 hydrofoil kites, 23 5o5s and eight windsurfers
queued up for the 20th running of the Ronstan Bridge to Bridge, hosted by St. Francis Yacht
Club on August 9, 2018. A downwind distance race from Golden Gate Bridge to the west span
of the Bay Bridge, with a steady 20 knots of breeze at the start and a flood tide, spectators were
hoping to see kiter Johnny Heineken crack the 11-minute mark or better for a new course
record. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite hit those milestones, but he did nab his sixth first-place
finish and stands out for the most wins in the race’s 20-year history.
“It was definitely my fastest time ever down to the bridge,” said Heineken, who finished the
course in 11:04, followed by Gabriel Wicke, then Joey Pasquali. Sailing a size 13 “was too much
kite for the beginning of the race but that’s how it has to be for this race,” he added. The bigger
kite powered him through the light air at the bottom of the course that stymied most of the other
competitors. Only seven kiters, five windsurfers and 12 of the 5o5s finished – a normal outcome
for this tricky course that runs from the nuclear narrows of the bay’s entrance around the corner
into the wind shadow of San Francisco’s eastern coast.
Among the windsurfers, Chris Radkowski won the day in 22:02, edging out Xavier Ferlet by ten
seconds. Jean Rathle crossed the line third.
Michael Menninger and Reeve Dunn were first over for the 5o5 fleet, with a time of 25:08. “We
started out away from everybody and keyed into a nice puff,” recounted Dunn. “Michael did a
great job keeping on the pressure and I just held on.”
Menninger and Dunn also had a good first day in the first three races of the 5o5 North American
Championship, which started earlier in the afternoon. Standing at second overall, they were
awarded the Ronstan Top Performer of the Day. Mike Martin and Adam Lowry nabbed two
bullets for first overall and Craig Thompson and Matthew Woodworth are holding strong at third.
Buoy racing continues tomorrow through Sunday and with seven World Champions on the
course, the 5o5 North American Championship remains anyone’s game.
Ronstan Bridge to Bridge Results: CLICKY
2018 5o5 NA Results: CLICKY
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