Big breeze on day 1 at West Marine US Open Sailing San Francisco

2021 West Marine US Open Sailing San Francisco © Simone Staff photography

The Kiteboarders and Windsurfers were rigged and ready to go this morning for signature San Francisco conditions featuring big breeze and strong currents on Day 1 of 2021 West Marine US Open Sailing - San Francisco.

The Men's and Women's iQFoil and Open Formula Kite events were challenged with wind speeds reaching over 20 knots and temperatures in the 60s for most of Friday. All three events completed five races.

Open Formula Kite

Taking the early lead in the Open Formula Kite event is two-time Kiteboarding World Champion, Johnny Heineken (Larkspur, Calif.). The competition is stiff in this fleet as Markus Edegran (Rio Vista, Calif.) and Kai Calder (Alameda, Calif.) are even on points with Heineken. The last two races of the day were were won by Heineken to help power the fleet leader into Saturday's racing. The Open Formula Kite fleet features 17 entries including several athletes who have competed at 2021 West Marine US Open events in California and Florida.

Women's iQFoil

JP Lattanzi (Honolulu, Hawaii) was nearly perfect in the Women's iQFoil event on Friday. She won the first four races of the event to take a three-point lead over Bryn Muller (Largo, Fla.). Danicka Sailer (Honolulu, Hawaii) is six points back in third place.

Men's iQFoil

Six countries are represented in the Men's iQFoil event, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and South Africa. Xavier Ferlet (Santa Clarita, Calif.) has an early two-point lead over Mexico's Cristobal Hagerman Haro and three points over Adrien Gaillard. The top four athletes in the Men's iQFoil are separated by only four points through five races.

Full results available here.