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I had meant to post this a long time ago…and it is close to the time of my migration North again but I thought I would contribute this now anyway

(Written mid-November 2007)

As the kiting season here on Lake Michigan soon draws to a close for me I look back on this 2007 season with some great memories and lasting impressions. The 2nd of November marked the 100th day of legitimate kiting here for me, since May 18th when I returned to MI from my winter migration, and that day was another session to remember among so many others.

The Velocity Games, the city's kiteboarding, skateboarding and windsurfing competition, is changing its name just two months after a new sports marketing firm acquired rights to the event.

Jessica Davila-Burnett, president of Epic Sports and Entertainment LP, announced the event will be renamed the U.S. Wind & Water Open beginning with the 2007 competition on May 11-13.

The name change is a further evolution of an event that started in 1987 as a windsurfing competition. It has been known as the Velocity Games since 2003, reflecting the additional sports events and providing an umbrella name for the U.S. Wind and Water Open, the 20th annual Cheniere Energy U.S. Windsurfing Regatta, the AT&T Kiteboarding Open, The Port of Corpus Christi & F-2 Speed Challenge, and the Texas Skate Jam.

Davila-Burnett said the new name reflects Epic Sports and Entertainment's goal of placing emphasis on the sports and national title championships at stake.

"The new name represents a change in leadership, and also a change in direction for the national competitions," Davila-Burnett said.

The Spaniard Gisela Pulido is one of the best kitesurfers in the world, was nominated for “World Action Sports Person” at the recent Laureus Awards – and is only 13 years old. In interview, “Gigi” talks about how she balances being a top athlete and a really normal teenager. Gisela, recently you were invited to the Laureus Sports Awards, the Oscars of the sports world. Among the winners were players from FC Barcelona.