As a first timer for this (possibly??), im in the hat anyway
kite preference
board preference, dimensions
straps or no straps
tactics
etc etc
mf
Keen for this too.
I was thinking a surfboard with straps.
But a twin tip would be nice for a little bit of a rest with a change to toe side each now and again.
Tactics: Go as fast as possible.
likely to use
a 9m rebel 2013
6'1 surfboard no straps
likely to do
toe to heel swaps
and try to go as fast as possible with out falling off
VVVVV <<<<shark teeth - hehehehe !
VVVVV
Last year was 12-16knots , I was Parked up on a Alex alegura slalom board And a 11mtr
Just wait and see on the day what to use it might be a 7 mtr or a 13 mtr 
The year I did it it was almost a reach to Leighton so pack big, a board with straps is better as it does get bumpy in the middle.
Just sheet it and hold on!!
If you get to Leighton before anyone else does, you win. It's a race so it's important that you go fast.
I did it last year - my thoughts would be:
don't stress too much - it's really not that different to buzzing around off leighton and surrounding beaches like we all do;
use a bigger kite than you might if you were just tooling about - better to be a little overpowered;
Stay upwind of the cargo ships you are bound to confront;
Use straps - it does get bumpy;
A twin tip or a surfboard will do just fine;
don't think about going to toeside - you won't do it on the day - you will just lock in and hammer. It's not really that testing. Just a little bit of work on the legs for a few weeks before - lunges and squats for example - and you will be fine;
Have a great time - it's an awesome day and a great experience
Cheers
Did anyone use a course race board last year, or more importantly the year before when it was windy?
Is it really choppy? what's the angle - reach, slightly downwind, slightly upwind?
Tips.....give way to your elders
It is slightly down wind (usually) so it is different than what we are used to for normal kiting, normally wether riding a TT or surfboard we are edging hard trying to get up wind but on this run you will find whatever board you are on you will be riding it a lot flatter.
Not gunna give anything else away (unless you feed me beer) except that it is easy to get lost so just follow me, I have done it before. 
Cheers!
Might give it a crack on the raceboard then - unless the legs give out halfway across. Ill go do a practice run down in melbourne across the bay and see how that goes!
be the furthest upwind when you launch, get upwind as much as possible, gives you a better direct angle to overtake the competition.
If possible beg, borrow or buy one of these...
Ronstan Clear Start Race Timer RF4030
Just wondering what size kites we need to be prepared with.
Is there a minimum/maximum wind speed before it is called off/postponed 
Would it be run in over 30+knots with a need for a 5m to 7m kites?
Would it be run in less than ??knots so we'd need 15/17m kites?
