Fanö, August 2004. After a nice and sunny day with warm temperatures, the bumpy wind of the last days calmed down and so we drove on the beach, this morning - feeling an excited tickle, already. Today, it could work! A suitable place was found quickly. The wind blew from the glittering sea and leaving the row of immovable seeming sun-worshippers behind us, we found an excellently appropriate area to fly - looking at the dunes.

First of all, all the important equipment had to be prepared: publicity-sail and shadow-sail had to be installed. Sun protection and sun glasses had to be put on, shoes had to be taken off - ensuring that during the fight, no line would get stuck - action circles were drawn - a jury seat was required and the championship- board had to be prepared.

OK - the wind was checked, quickly, the first "fighting-couple" was determined, the rules were double-checked, once again, together and then we were ready to go for it!

The competition format was a 'round robin'. This allows each participant to fly against each other participant always two In every match, 5 points could be obtained. Our little fighter kites were buzzing through the air, glittering belligerently in the sun.

The participants had to pay their full attention in every single second, remaining patient and wait for the perfect moment to start an attack over or under the opponent's line.

Especially daring was controlling the kite's spinning near the ground when the starter judge called out "bottom" and the line of the opponent's kite had to be touched from underneath. Therefore, it was a good tactic to spin the kite, very close to the ground like a wild animal crouched and ready to pounce and to continue until either the kite burrows itself in the sand (shit ...) or you manage the victorious attack by touching the opponent's line from underneath, in the right moment. The opposite challenge was to touch the opponent's line from above when the signal was "top". In that case, what mattered most of all was a precise flight vertically upwards and a quick turn to the left or right surprising the opponent and forcing him to become defensive. Often, various attacks were required as skillful evasive movements would be successful and force an attacker which felt sure of victory from one moment to the other in a critical and high risk situation.

Practicing and patience make a master and we did enjoy fighting our first championship. After a long and exciting competition, the winner was determined and this would be celebrated that evening, in the cottage, in the dunes. But first of all, a nice bath in the North Sea was taken to cool down the excitement which had run very high. And one thing was more than clear: as soon as a new opportunity would be found, there would be another fight top or bottom. Until then, the time would be used to improve the flight maneuvers and kite constructions - to overthrow the champion.