The 4th Lüderitz Speed Challenge: World Record Attempt in Speed Sailing

After 3 successful events, The Lüderitz Speed Challenge has earned its credibility and made its mark in the World of Speed Sailing. In 2010, for the first time in the history of Speed Sailing, all 3 of the sailing disciplines (windsurfing, kitesurfing and hydrofoils) will jointly compete in the same event for the coveted title of the “Fastest sailing vessel”.

In 2004 Sébastien Cattelan together with Sophie Routaboul, co-organiser of the event, discovered the now legendary speed location in Luderitz. This natural lagoon in the Namib Desert has all the qualities to become the top international speed sailing venue in the world. The warm desert winds accelerate through the surrounding hills and on reaching the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, thermal atmospheric pressure creates incredibly high wind speeds.

3 Oct 2008, Luderitz Bay, Namibia: French kite surfer Sebastien Cattelan was the first person to break the mythical 50 knots sailing barrier (+ 90 km/h over 500m averages).

Speed Sailing has become an international inter-disciplinary sport. For many years an ongoing challenge existed between windsurfers, hydrofoil boats and kitesurfers to smash records - capturing the imagination of the media in a battle where speed barriers are constantly being broken.

So what’s in store for 2010?
The favorable results of the previous year which offered a tempestuous run for our sportsmen recording upwards of 90 km/ph  on a 20-50cm deep, 500m long and 2m wide canal, has initiated continual improvement of the speed strip. In 2010, conditions for navigation have been improved by way of a more efficient canal of 10m of wide, 700m long, with a depth of 1m.

The aim this year is to widen the canal at the start as much as possible, making entry much easier. The sand taken from the canal will be laid up wind, creating a wall for protection against chop created in the water at high tide. The canal will have sufficient water depth to conform to the WSSRC rule (15cm minimum throughout) and even at low tide when the water recedes, the canal will remain at least 50cm deep throughout the run.  These increased proportions of the canal will result in greater safety compared to the previous wooden chop killer.

The 2010 Luderitz Speed Challenge promises to be the most hotly contested competition held in the history of Speed Sailing.

Source: Sébastien Cattelan and Sophie Routaboul

Click here to visit Luderitz Speed Challenge’s website.

And what does speed sailing mean for the environment? (saving the world, one speed record at a time!)

Says Sebastien Cattelan:  “Using natural energy, has consequences for you, for us …
These performances represent what is possible in the future using energy from nothing but what nature provides.Wind-driven sailing vessels are once again becoming the pioneers in maritime transportation, and kite makers have been approached by forward-thinking commercial boat owners to design huge kites to experiment with the concept of using wind power to help drive large cargo vessels.

In theory, the kiteboard is replaced by a huge vessel, however the principle is the same. This development would result in huge cuts in the consumption of fuel, reduce oil spills and the overall cost of transportation costs world-wide.
We have entered a point in history where innovative ideas from nature will help to contribute to the protection of our planet”.
What a cool thought! (where’s the ‘Like’ button?)

Source: Sébastien Cattelan cattelan.sebastien@gmail.com  and Sophie Routaboul so.event@live.fr
Click here to visit Luderitz Speed Challenge’s website.

Luderitz Speed Challenge: a bit of history.

With the 2010 Luderitz Speed Challenge just around the corner, here’s a bit of history around successive improvements in performances at Luderitz between 2007 when the event started, to what we can expect in 2010.

In 2007 the first Lüderitz Speed Challenge was held and existing speed sailing records were broken by kitesurfers. The 2nd fastest time in speed sailing ever was recorded - 1st place was held by windsurfer Finian Meynard from the Virgin Islands.

 
The second event, in 2008, saw kitesurfers break all existing speed sailing records and officially become the fastest sailors in the world - for the first time smashing the mythical 50 knots in World Speed Sailing. Changes were made to the course - a ‘chop killer’ (i.e.  a wooden barrier) helped improve the 500m water surface to ensure a smoother slide and increase the wind speed angle, resulting in increased performance and new maximum speeds being reached:                                                                                                                                                 

  • 2007: 47.77 knots over 500m averages
  • 2008: 50.57 knots over 500m averages.

In November 2009, Luderitz saw even more innovative planning:
The organisers created a canal alongside the existing 500m speed strip to ensure flat water and a better wind speed. This decision was made in order to challenge the new speed sailing record of the Hydrofoil « L’HYDROPTERE » of 51.36 knots (95km/h over 500m averages), which was set  one month prior to the 2009 Luderitz event.

 

Recently, a GPS (tool of measure) world record of 53.06 knots (98km/h over 500m averages) has been set in Lüderitz by Sébastien Cattelan. This proves the potential of the 2010 Lüderitz Speed Challenge, which always verifies speeds with the WSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council), who officiates all speed world attempts:  On the way to 54 knots - the new world challenge to break the 100km/h barrier!

Source: Sébastien cattelan  & Sophie Routaboul
Click here to visit Luderitz Speed Challenge’s website.

Editor’s Favourites: Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009

All images by permission of volvooceanrace.org. Click on the speech bubble in the bottom left of this slide show to view individual photo credits.

The 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race: wrap up

With the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race almost upon us, here’s a chance to impress your mates by being knowledgeable about what went down during the last race.

ABOUT THE RACE:
Initially named the Whitbread Round The World Race dating as far back as 1973, this ultimate test of sailing endurance was rebadged The Volvo Ocean race in 2001-2002. Since its inception it’s been a world class sporting event filled with glamour, drama, blood, sweat and tears.  Dubbed by volvooceanrace.com as the “Everest of Sailing”, this 9 month event sees sailors and their yachts being put to the ultimate test of endurance, stamina and strength as they sail more than 39000 nautical miles in some of the world’s most treacherous seas. Some of the longer legs last up to 20 days at sea, where sailors are put through the most extreme conditions.  The race has not only port-to-port races, but in-port races as well.

THE DETAILS:
The most recent event was the 2008 – 2009 Volvo Ocean Race.

The route: Alicante - Cape Town - Kochi - Singapore - Qingdao - Rio de Janeiro - Boston - Galway - Stockholm - Gothenburg - St Petersburg
Overall Winner: Ericcson 4

Overall Scoreboard:
1st: 114.5 points - Ericsson 4
2nd: 105.5 points - Puma
3rd: 90.0 points - Telefonica Blue
4th: 78.5 points - Ericsson 3
5th: 67.0 points - Green Dragon
6th: 58.0 points - Telefonica Black
7th: 41.5 points - Delta Lloyd
8th: 10.5 points - Team Russia

Leg-by-leg Details:  (each event title has a click-through to the relevant report on Volvo Ocean Race’s Website).
Alicante In-Port Race
Date: 04 October 2008 Winner: Telefonica Blue

Leg 1: Alicante - Cape Town
Date: 11 October 2008  Distance: 6,500Nm Winner: Ericsson 4

Leg 2: Cape Town – Cochin                                                                                                                 Date: 15 November 2008 Distance: 4,450Nm  Winner: Ericsson 4

Leg 3: Cochin – Singapore
Date: 13 December 2008 Distance: 1,950Nm  Winner: Telefonica Blue

Singapore In-Port Race
Date: 10 January 2009 Winner: Ericsson 4

Leg 4: Singapore – Qingdao
Date: 18 January 2009 Distance: 2,500Nm Winner: Telefonica Blue

Qingdao In-Port Race
Date: 7 February 2009 Winner: Ericsson 4

Leg 5: Qingdao - Rio de Janeiro
Date: 14 February 2009 Distance: 12,300Nm Winner: Ericsson 3

Rio de Janeiro In-Port Race
Date: 04 April 2009 Winner: Telefonica Blue

Leg 6: Rio de Janeiro – Boston
Date: 11 April 2009 Distance: 4,900Nm Winner: Ericsson 4

Boston In-Port Race
Date: 9 May 2009 Winner: Telefonica Blue

Leg 7: Boston – Galway
Date: 16 May 2009 Distance: 2,550Nm Winner: Ericsson 4

Galway In-Port Race
Date: 30 May 2009 Winner: PUMA

Leg 8: Galway – Marstrand
Date: 6 June 2009 Distance: 1250Nm Winner: Ericsson 4

Leg 9: Marstrand – Stockholm
Date: 14 June 2009 Distance: 525Nm Winner: PUMA

Stockholm In-Port Race
Date: 21 June 2009 Winner: Telefonica Blue

Leg 10: Stockholm - St Petersburg
Date: 25 June 2009 Distance: 400Nm Winner: Telefonica Black

105′ French Trimaran, Groupama’s news

The 105′ French trimaran, Groupama, slipped her mooring soon after 05H00 on Saturday and headed from her berth at the V&A Waterfront bound towards France.  She was berthed at the Waterfront for a number of weeks undergoing repairs  after suffering structural damage while attempting to break the Round the World speed record.  Conditions were calm as she headed out but a last minute misjudgment with one of the support boats used to tow the engineless Groupama out to sea caused some damage to the starboard hull.  Quick reactions by the crew and the judicious use of some quick drying underwater epoxy ensured that Groupama could still continue safely on her way.

groupama-trimaran

For nearly three hours we tacked back and forth in the lee of Table Mountain while the rigging was tensioned for sailing.  Once that was completed we hoisted the sails and accompanied by a pod of whales we reached out into the Atlantic.  The SW wind quickly increased and backed to the S requiring us to reef the sails.  Even under deeply reefed sails I saw a top speed of over 37 knots while I was at the helm at sunset and the speed seldom dropped below 30 knots.

Our first night at sea was dark and wet but we covered some good miles and this morning gybed onto a more northerly course near  position 30° 37′S, 7° 32′E.

For me, the only South African aboard, it is a fantastic learning experience sailing with the top ocean sailing crew in the world.  All the rest of the team are French and the concept of giant foiling multihulls is definitely a French invention and specialty so it is quite a privilege to join the team for the delivery to their home base in Lorient where they intend to start another attempt at the world speed sailing record.

Nick Leggatt (RSA) – on board Groupama

Unveiling of the Bust of Bertie Reed and start of Clipper Ocean Race

Check from image no 42 for the sequence of a very nasty collision of two yachts at the start causing major damage!

For copies of images email Trevor

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New World Speed Record - Macquarie Innovation breaks 50 -hits 54 knots

Macquarie Innovation has now entered the exclusive “50 knot club”, with an unratified speed estimated at 50.08 knots (50.43 knots excluding allowance for tide). The team of Simon McKeon and Tim Daddo have become the first yachts over 50 knots in a run on the 26th March at the Sandy Point speed strip. This is the same team that set the 46.52knot record in 1993 that lasted an amazing 11 years.

alt_sailing_26march09

The result is still to be ratified by the WSSRC, but should be a new C-class world record, and put them in fourth place in the world in the outright category for speed sailing, with kitesurfers Alex Caizergues (Fr 50.57), Rob Douglas (US - 50.54kt) and Sebastien Cattelan (Fr - 50.52kt) still ahead by a whisker.

This is fantastic news for speed sailing, with the epic three-way duel between yacht, windurfer and kitesurfer back into full swing. Best wishes to the Macquarie team as they look to gain the outright world record for speed sailing. Check out their website for more info.

Entries still open for the Luderitz speed Challenge. Check out the event info posted a couple of weeks back.

Eden Island Lipton Cup

Unstoppable Davis wins eighth Lipton Cup title
By Jason Acar

Images Trevor Wilkins

A dominant display overall from Daly’s Insurance saw Greg Davis capture his fourth consecutive title in the 2009 Eden Island Lipton Cup, and will see the prestigious trophy remain at the Royal Cape Yacht Club for at least another year.

The result also means Davis is now the most successful skipper in the history of the event with 8 titles under his belt. Davis and co-skipper David Rae sailed to victory in all three of the races which were run during the event, giving them an overall win with three points.

The final race on Friday was called off, with Davis’ main rival Mark Sadler leading, while the RCYC entry was stuck in fifth place.

“It didn’t really go today (Friday), but it was really nice to win and I’m very happy,” said Davis.

Co-skipper Rae added: “It is my first Lipton Cup win as a skipper and it was great. It would have been nice to have more sailing, but we dominated and we are happy.”

Sadler, onboard the Royal Natal Yacht Club entry Orion Challenger, was visibly disappointed with their performance, after a third consecutive year of finishing in second place.

“We didn’t achieve any of the goals we set, and we’re very disappointed.
We will now have to look at everything and find out why we keep coming second,” said Saddler.

“We need to do something, maybe we need another boat, but we can’t keep coming second forever.”

The surprise entry in 2009 was Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club’s Intasure who rounded off the top three with nine points after finishing third in all three races.

“We are very happy with our performance,” said 25-year-old skipper Andrea Giovannini.

“We are going to use the same team next year and hopefully we can get some more experience in between. We didn’t train enough to get to the top, and Daly’s won every single race, which is something that I think nobody has done in Lipton, so they were deserved champions.”

eden-island-lipton-cup-09-20

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The Racing Rules of Sailing

(more…)

South African Sailing Youths compete in Brazil

Two-time Olympic medallist and Volvo Ocean Race competitor Santiago Lange of Argentina has been appointed as the Championship coach for this year’s Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, taking place in Buzios, Brazil from 9-18 July.

Fifty-nine nations and over 280 of the world’s top young sailors will gather in Buzios, just 170 kilometres east of Rio de Janeiro, this July for the 39th edition of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, the first time the championship has been held in South America. The Youth Worlds is renowned for giving the sailing world its first glimpse of future champions (past medallists include Russell Coutts, Ben Ainslie, Alessandra Sensini and Robert Scheidt) but it’s also a global celebration of youth sailing and a fantastic learning experience for the young competitors chosen to represent their nation. A key figure in this educational-side to the Youth Worlds is the championship coach and this year the competitors in Buzios will have the opportunity to learn from world-famous Argentinean sailor Santiago Lange.

Santiago Lange said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed as championship coach for the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, particularly as this will be the first time the event has been held in South America. It’s a fantastic championship and Buzios will be a great host. I know from our Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Rio how much passion Brazil has for sailing.

“I’m greatly looking forward to working with so many young, talented and enthusiastic sailors from all over the world. They’re the future of our sport and the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship is the world-class showcase they deserve.”

The championship coach, whose appointment is funded by the World Youth Sailing Trust, provides coaching to the sailors at the Youth Worlds whose nations have been unable to send support staff to the championship, in particular to those sailors competing thanks to funding support from ISAF’s Athlete Participation Programme (APP). The APP sailors gets the benefit of daily briefings from the championship coach, whilst all competitors can attend the video debrief sessions held at the end of each day’s racing. This year there is a new coach for the Championship, with Lange taking over the reigns from British coach Jim Saltonstall, whose 30-year association with the Youth Worlds finally came to end last year in Århus, Denmark.

During his time at the championship, first as GBR coach and then as championship coach from 2002-2008, Saltonstall became a legendary figure at the Youth Worlds with his post-race debriefings always standing-room only. For 2009, as the Youth Worlds makes its first visit to South America, the championship has an equally outstanding successor in Lange, one of the continents most successful, versatile and well-respected sailors.

Lange is one of Argentina’s most famous sailing names. He has competed at five editions of the Olympic Games across dinghy, keelboat and multihull events, winning bronze medals in the Tornado with Carlos Espinola at both Athens 2004 and last year in Beijing. However, Lange’s sailing experience extends far beyond the Games. He has competed in two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, first onboard Team SEB on leg one of the 2001-02 race and most recently as Watch Captain for the Telefonica Black team competing in the current edition. He has won four World Championship titles, in the Tornado in 2004 and Snipe dinghy in 1985, 1993 and 1995, and also competed for the Swedish Victory Challenge syndicate during the 2007 America’s Cup cycle.

Helmut Czasny, ISAF Competitions Manager and Technical Delegate for the 2009 Youth Worlds, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Santiago Lange to the role of championship coach for 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship. Santi is proven world-class competitor and as a two-time Olympic medallist and Volvo Ocean Race competitor is a perfect role model for our young sailors. It’s particularly appropriate that as the championship visits South America for the first time we are able to welcome one of the continent’s most respected sailors to the team.”

The primary focus of the championship coach will be the APP sailors, however, assistance is available to all those who would like it, including team leaders, coaches and competitors.

The comprehensive coaching support will include:

Pre-event Preparation –
Self preparation
Boat Preparation - including Boat Handling - Boat Tuning
Race Strategy - including Starting Tactics, Racing Rules, Compass Work, Meteorology
Preview the Sailing Instructions

Video Debriefs daily by Classes –
The video debriefs have proved a valuable element of the coaching given to the competitors, and for many it is the first time they have been able to post-race view themselves on the water and receive coaching instruction and advice.

The World Youth Sailing Trust funds the appointment of the championship coach at each edition of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship. The Trust is a charitable organization of ISAF members, who focus their support towards youth events.

Our local representatives include Matthew Whitehead, Calene Loubser, Brevan Thompson, Callum Kiplin and  Matthew Shaw all from the Western Cape. Read the following article published in the Argus. Keep and eye on our website for more information and updates.

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