13th annual Kite Crossing boasts near perfect race conditions

The weather, wind, ice and snow conditions on Mille Lacs Lake near Garrison last weekend were ideal for snowkite racing.

Over 60 kiters from 10 states competed in the 2017 Grand Casino Mille Lacs Kite Crossing. Ideal wind conditions of 15-20 miles per hour all three days, an excellent snowpack on the ice and temperatures in the mid-30s made the 13th annual Mille lacs Kite Crossing one of best Kite Crossings in history, according to a news release from event organizers.

"With the bright sunshine, warm weather and ideal wind velocity, many of the champion racers said this weekend's event had some of the best conditions they have seen in our 13-year history," said Michael Fox, of event organizer Fleet 8 of Minneapolis. "The perfect race conditions allowed some of our best times ever and allowed some of the beginning kiters a chance to post some real quality times. We had a spectators all days in their cars along Highway 169 in Garrison watching the kiters and with over 40-50 colorful kites in the air at any given time, it's a spectacular sport to watch."

Racers are on either a snowboard and regular alpine skis, with a large kite harnessed to the riders for wind power. Speeds can get over 25 mph.

The Nierenhausen family from Crosslake had four children competing and their father, with 17-year-old Maddie finishing second in women's snowboard division and Peter, 15, and Nick, 12, finishing second and third respectively in the youth division.

The 2017 Grand Casino Mille Lacs Kite Crossing Champions, along with top finishers in each category, are below.

Men's Ski Division

• First place Mike Kratochwill, Maple Grove, 54.23.32,

• Second place Jim Watkins, Minneapolis,

• Third place Bryce Johnson, Breezy Point,

• Fourth place Saulius Muliolis, Euclid, Ontario, Canada,

• Fifth place Rob Evans, Orono.

Women's Ski Division

• First place Cristina Zobitz, Duluth, 1.19.06,

• Second place Lizzy Foo Kune, Ann Arbor, Mich.,

• Third place Judith Graile,

• Fourth place Kate Johnson, Crosslake.

Men's Snowboard Division

• First place Nick Ruchti, St. Cloud, 1.07.14,

• Second place Todd Hanson, Crosslake,

• Third place Justin Specht, Baxter,

• Fourth place Donals MacMillan, Minneapolis,

• Fifth place Jeremy Jones, Brainerd.

Women's Snowboard Division

• First place Vicky Hanson, Crosslake, 1.38.55,

• Second place Maddie Nierenhausen, Crosslake.

Youth Division

• First place Levi Larson, Rice, 1.02.41,

• Second place Peter Nierenhausen, Crosslake,

• Third place Nick Nierenhausen, Crosslake.