Entries have opened for the 2010 Luderitz Speed challenge set to take place between 4 and 31 October.
Many world records have been broken during the first 3 Luderitz Speed Challenges, and it’s played a vital role in kiteboarders attaining top ranking in Speed Sailing.
The event has proved its credibility each year, and steps are being taken to further increase the potential of the run by improving the water state to maximise what ‘2nd Lagoon’ has to offer.
At the 2009 Luderitz Speed Challenge, a canal was dug which opened up a world of possibilities. It proved to be an amazing idea, as it created a near perfect water state that allowed kiters to go faster than ever before in less wind (40 knots max)! What’s even more impressive, is that it was only 3 meters wide, which is 10 times narrower than the canal at “Les Saintes Marie de la Mer“ in France, where Antoine Albeau set the fastest time on a windsurfer (49.09 knots).
The plan in 2010 is to build upon the success of last year, and dig a canal the whole way. The width and angle will also be improved and it’ll be made dead-straight to get better averages over 500 meters.
The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) who sanctions each event to officialize records will be present like previous years on the 2010 Luderitz Speed Challenge.
The event attracts many nationalities and has proven to be the fastest kiteboarding spot in the world over the past 3 years.
Competitors who attend the event, help develop the sport and grow kiteboarding internationally.
Let’s take this golden opportunity… together, we can push the limits and beat some other national and world records going faster than ‘L’Hydroptère’ which hold the present record with 51.36 knots.
from the Luderitz Speed Challenge Organisers
Sébastien CATTELAN
Sophie ROUTABOUL
PAST RECORDS:
2007:
1st ‘Kiteboarding World Record Attempt’ already reached success with amazing results:
Outright Ladies world Record
Kiteboarding world Record
2008:
Kiteborading became the fastest craft on water and 1st to break the 50 knot barrier.
18 national records were set.
Every competitors improved their personal Records.
2009 Records and achievements :
Alexandre Caizergues : 50.98 knots (kiteboarding world Record)
Rob Douglas : 50.95 knots (USA outright Record)
Melissa Gil : 38 (USA Ladies Record)
Jernej Privsek : 44.59 (Slovenia Record)
Felipe Johannpeter : 42.14 (Brazil Record)
Tim Turner: 33.94 (Australian kiteboarding record)
Jamie Douglas : 48.67 (personal best)
Mike Hall : 46.71 (personal best)
Marc Antoine Martin : 46.46 (personal best)
Geoffrey Mascarell : 46.11 (personal best)
Stefane Caous : 45.89 (personal best)
Patrice Menossi : 45.8 (personal best)
Fred Kloren : 44.62 (personal best)
Marc Avella : 41.37(personal best)
Stefan Metzger : 40.21 (personal best)
Sophie Routaboul : 39.29 (personal best)
Wolfram Reiners : 38.52 (personal best)
Paul Railton : 38.19 (personal best)
Ronan Harvey: 36.02 (personal best)
Peter Bjarke Olsen : 33.77 (personal best)
Details about 2009’s Speed Challenge can be viewed here.
More details to follow - watch this space!
