GARRISON — Snowkiters took to the ice Friday, Feb. 28, on Mille Lacs Lake during the 16th annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing weekend in Garrison.
The three-day snowkite competition will feature two new competitions: the freestyle “big air competition” and buoy-rounding speed racing. The two new mini-competitive events were added to the main 28-mile crossing race out and back across Mille Lacs Lake on Saturday. The racing and freestyle events take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Kiters are on a snowboard or regular alpine skis, with a large kite for wind power.
The kite crossing on Mille Lacs Lake is the longest-running snowkite event in the country, and the longest-distance snowkite endurance race in the U.S. Considered the "Super Bowl of snowkiting competition,” the first Mille Lacs kite crossing was in 2004.
1/5: Kitesurfers take to the ice Friday, Feb. 28, on Mille Lacs during the 16th annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing weekend in Garrison. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
2/5: Kitesurfers take to the ice Friday, Feb. 28, on Mille Lacs during the 16th annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing weekend in Garrison. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
3/5: Helena Wilder uses a training kite with the help of grandfather Cory Moran (left) and father Dan Wilder Friday, Feb. 28, on Mille Lacs during the 16th annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing weekend in Garrison. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
4/5: Helena Wilder uses a training kite with the help of grandfather Cory Moran (back) and father Dan Wilder Friday, Feb. 28, on Mille Lacs during the 16th annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing weekend in Garrison. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
5/5: Helena Wilder uses a training kite with the help of her father Dan Wilder Friday, Feb. 28, on Mille Lacs during the 16th annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing weekend in Garrison. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
