Speedsailing world records tumble in Saintes Maries de la Mer, France.
French top sailor Antoine Albeau (FRA 192) who won not less than three world titles in 2007 and Swiss borne professional windsurfer and board designer Patrik Diethelm (ITA 120) have broken the existing speed sailing records in Saintes Maries de la Mer, France.
After months of waiting for the big mistral winds, the artificially made speed canal at the shores of the mediterranean sea came to life again. Strong mistral winds with 45-50 knots (ca. 90 km/h) hit the speed strip in a perfect angle, and although the conditions were quite gusty several riders set personal best speeds.
Already the first runs of the"big three" Antoine Albeau, Patrik Diethelm and Irish borne defending world record holder Finian Maynard (BVI 11) showed, that this day would have the potential to become historic.
Wednesday 05. March at 9:30 am Patrik Diethelm was the first one making waves, setting a new world production board speed record with his "F2 Missile XS" at 46.51 knots (86,14 km/h), subject to World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) ratification.
Around noon, 12:29 hours exactly, Frenchman Antoine Albeau hit a big gust and flew down the 1 km man made canal. The scoreboard stopped at 49 knots (90,75 km/h), after extensive video checking with the observer from the World Sailing Speed Record Council, the average speed was verified at 49.09 knots (90,91 km/h) over the official distance of 500 meters, 0.4 knots faster than the old record of Finian Maynard.
Antoine Albeau’s quote on how he felt during the 500 meter run: "It was really scary but at the same time really exciting. I am really really happy and pleased with the result."
The riders then pushed for the elusive 50 knots (92,6 km/h) mark, the magical barrier in speedsailing around the world, but till the end of the day no one was able to increase the previous performances.
But the chase for the 50 knots is not over! For today strong mistral winds have been forcasted for southern France again!
Once again Saintes Maries de la Mer gave proof of beeing one of the worlds top locations for breaking speed records on water, only driven by wind. So the "Masters of Speed Event" again set the platform for extraordinary performances.
The windsurfers so gain a lead over the multi million dollar speed yachts, also heading for the speed sailing record. The battle of David vs. Goliath is going to a next level.
Jim Drake the inventor of windsurfing, former airplane disgner and now R&D mastermind at Antoine's board sponsor Starboard was delighted to hear the latest news and quoted: "I’m proud to have had a part in two spectacular world records. The X–15 manned airplane speed record and Antoine’s current record. The X-15 record was set in 1967 and is yet to be beaten. Now we are faced with the 50 knots barrier, in aviation for many years the sonic barrier was thought to be impenetrable. However this barrier was broken and the same will go for sailing and windsurfing. – Congratulations Antoine!"
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Press release of Antoine's rigg sponsor NeilPryde.
Press release of Antoine's board sponsor Starboard.
Press release of Patrik's rigg sponsor North Sails.
Press release of Patrik's board sponsor F2.
Portraits
Antoine Albeau, FRA
Sail: F-192
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 95 kg
Birthdate: 17.06.1972
Nationality: French
Residence: France
Biography:
Antoine started windsurfing at the age of 5 on the island of Ré (west coast of France). Guided by his father Antoine became a professional windsurfer in 1992. Since then, he has accumulated many national and international titles and is now considered as probably the best windsurfers in the world.
Best Results:
World Champion Slalom 2007
World Champion Formular Windsurfing 2007
World Champion Speed 2007
Speedsailing world record holder at 49.09 knots
Sponsors:
Starboard, NeilPryde, Ford Lease, Deboichet, ATAN, Quiksilver
Find here the Antoine Albeau personality story.
Patrik Diethelm, ITA
Sail: ITA-120
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 84 kg
Birthdate: 03.03.1972
Nationality: Swiss
Residence: Switzerland
Biography:
Currently living in Italy, Lake Garda, the F2 Shaper is always trying to push his equipment to new limits.
Best Results:
World Champion Speed Production Board 2006, 2007
World Speed Record Holder Production Board at 46.51 knots
Sponsors:
North Sails, F2, Circolo Surf Torbole
