On the past weekend the records toppled during the Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2008 in Namibia. While the elite windsurfers fought hard for the world titles at the season’s final event in Sylt, Germany, some kitesurfers succeed in breaking the 50 knots speed barrier in Namibia. That was believed impossible for long times. Though, they installed a new world speed record for wind driven water vehicles.
On Saturday, October 4th 2008, Alexandre Caizergues, the French Kitesurfer snatched the speed title when he did the average speed of 50,57 knots at the 500 meters distance (93,65 km/h). The record is verified, but is still subject to ratification by the WSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council).
The first man ever who darted with more than 50 knots over the water surface was on the day before Caizergue’s compatriot Sebastien Catellan. His record will indeed be written down in the history books but it only lasted for one day. On Saturday there were even better weather conditions in Lüderitz, though the 50 knots barrier could be topped several times.
The 500 meters distance has a similar meaning for the sailing sport, as the 100 meter sprint has in athletics. It is the premium discipline within the speed races. For years, sailors and windsurfers fight duels with each other. In 1986 the French windsurfer Pascal Maka managed to seize the record form the sailors for the first time doing 38,86 knots. Not until seven years later, another sailing ship, the Yellow Pages, overthrew this mark again. Then, in 2004, the Irish-born windsurfer Finian Maynard cracked the record once more. The interim peak of the windsurfers’ dominance was the speed record of the French Antoine Albeau in March 2008.
Last year also the kitesurfers stepped into the ring to compete about the title for the fastest. At the beginning of the Speed Callenge in Namibia, Rob Douglas demonstrated the skills of the kitesurfers by taking victory over Albeau’s best time. Though, Douglas could name himself record holder at least for some days.
For more information please visit the website of the organizers: www.luderitz-speed.com. There you will also find pictures in high resolution in the press area. The media contact person of the organizers is Tanguy Blondel: tanguy.blondel@ich-will-keinen-spamwanadoo.fr (Telefon +33 6 88 45 35 36).
Links
Website of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2008: www.luderitz-speed.com
Website of the Speedworldcup: http://www.speedworldcup.com
Picture preview of the Speedworldcup: www.speedworldcup.com -> Press Lounge
