Fuente info Sailworld
World Speed Record broken twice - now 55.65 knots + Video
Ludertiz Speed Challenge Namibia - The wind blew up to 45 knots today and the organisers decided to built a retaining wall after the finish of the run to keep the water in at low tide. This paid huge dividends today and many records were smashed !
The organizers decided to create a wall of sand at the end of the run to retain the water level to the minimum depth of 18cm as required by the WSSRC.
Sebastien Cattelan had attempted to do this two weeks ago on a day of extremely strong winds, however had faced stiff opposition from some kiteboarders who forced him to re-open the channel and as a result the water level dropped to below the required 18cm and the speed attempts had to be abandoned.
Today there was no such opposition.
Fabrice the time keeper has checked these speeds, but not the WSSRC yet. He asked that we state :
Demands of speed records under sail, are subject to the official ratification by ISAF/WSSRC.
Sebastien Cattelan is the new record holder of France and Europe with 55.49 (1st to 55 knots).
He held the outright for an hour before US kiteboarder Rob Douglas improved upon it, reaching 55.65 knots.
Charlotte Consorti did 48.5 on the display, followed 30 minutes later by Sophie Routboul with 48.64 speed.
Sophie could only do two runs as she has a broken hand.
Charlotte went back out later and did 50.43. The first lady over 50 knots !!!
3rd Alex Caizergues with 54.93 (France)
4th Sebatien Salerno with 54.28 (France)
5th Sylvain Hoceini with 52.90 (France)
New South African record set by Basil Cambanis with 50.75 knots.
New Namibian record set by Stefan Metzger with 48.57 knots.
New Solvinian record set by Jernej Privsek with 46.60 knots.
Taro Niehaus had 50.59, he beat the SA record few days ago with 50.60 knots.
