Regatta brings windsurfers from Midwest to compete

Windsurfing regatta
A hundred windsurfers compete in a variety of races on the Lake Okabena in Worthington, Minn.
MPR photo/Mark Steil

Windsurfers from around the Midwest compete in a regatta this weekend in southwestern Minnesota.

The forecast is for strong gusty winds this weekend as up to 100 windsurfers compete in a variety of races on the city's Lake Okabena.

Larry Reed of Des Moines said he has been at all 13 regattas held in Worthington over the years. As he watches the brightly colored windsurfer sails whip across the water, Reed says the surfers can match or exceed the wind speed.

"Winds like we had today, we'll be going 20, 25, 30 miles an hour," said Reed.

The races, today and Sunday, are sponsored by the Midwest Organization of Windsurfers. Besides the competition there's also live music and food at the annual event. Worthington is the hometown of Lisa Kremer, a one-time hopeful for the US Olympic windsurfing team.

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