Luderitz Speed Challenge getting underway

[Chapped 2]

The 2010 edition of the Luderitz Speed Challenge gets going on October 4th and runs thoughout the month in Namibia, Africa. http://luderitz-speed.com/luderitz/ Top competitors such as the USA's Rob Douglas, Seb Cattelan from France and Alex Caizergues, who is the current kiteboard world record holder at 50.98 knots, also from France, will headline the action. There's a brand new course specifically built for high speed runs and if the latest news, below, is any indication of what is about to happen, there will be some very heady times being posted that just might eclipse the outright world record held by the big foiling trimaran, L'Hydroptere. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that happens. If you go to the site, make sure you roll the video clip. It's a must see for anyone who likes fast, wind driven watercraft and want to get a small taste of how things look in Luderitz.

 

New Canal delivers the goods

 

Early resullts from canal look very promising, Seb managed to clock a 52.12 knot 5x10 second average, 57.4 knot peak, and 49.45 500m in the canal yesterday in wind averaging between 30 and 35 knots. These speeds would not have been possible in wind like this in the past. As expected, peak speeds are lower, but the averages have dramatically improved.

 

 

 

 

[Rolfe'd 0]

can't wait

[Right Coast 0]

I think you spelled it wrong.

[Chapped 2]

L'Hydroptere's record obliterated Numerous guys over the top today.

[Chapped 2]

Geeezus! Now, that is one extremely convincing change to the former World Record held by L'Hydroptere. http://www.luderitz-speed.com/

 

13 Oct 2010 : It's Official - 1 New World Speed Sailing Record and 5 New National Records in 1 day!

Alex Caizergues has officially set a new World Speed Sailing Record at 54.10 knots during his 1st run at 15h38 yesterday afternoon.

 

Sebastien Cattelan from France is placed 2nd in the world speed sailing rankings at 52.33 knots.

 

5 New National records were broken on the same day:

 

Kite Surfing:

USA - Rob Douglas, 51.88

Namibia - Stefan Metzger 45.02

New Zealand - Gavin Broadbent, 50.93

French Womens National record - Charlotte Consorti, 45.23

Australia -Tim Pumpa, 46.78 (best kite speed record performance)

 

Windsurfing:

Sweden -Anders Bringdal, 44.80.

U.K - Zara Davis, 36.99, Female World performance with Production Board

 

The battle for the title of "the fastest speed sailor in the world" is far from over - with more big winds forecast here in Luderitz for not only this week, but for most of October - we will keep you updated with the OFFICIAL WSSRC records as soon as they are released.

[stolpsTDI 0]

Geeezus! Now, that is one extremely convincing change to the former World Record held by L'Hydroptere. http://www.luderitz-speed.com/

 

 

Not taking anything away, 'cause that's really damn fast - but isn't this an Apples / Oranges comparison?

[Chapped 2]

Yeah, Stolps, it's true, that they are very different vessels for achieving the very same record. When it comes to the Outright World Record for the fastest sailing craft, though, the WSSRC recognizes both of them equally. I understand the discussion as to what really constitutes "a boat", but for this purpose it becomes somewhat distant.

 

I'm in awe of the 60' French foiler, L'Hydroptere and their 20 million Euro budget to produce a 50 knot machine. But, the part that bangs me so hard is the 54.3 knots thing for what is basically one man and a $6K kit. Pure stones to go that fast and know that one tiny mistake is going to hurt incredibly bad. And they still have a couple more weeks at Luderitz to push it even higher.

 

The part I do not understand is the near total lack of anything even remotely like a properly designed and executed aero suit for these speed runs. I'm not an aerodynamicist, but it would seem to me that 60 knots is within their reach if they suit-up in a wind tunnel developed outfit and have a go. That would be an incredibly fun project with which to be involved.

[patrickrynne 1]

craaaaaaaaaaazy

 

[stolpsTDI 0]

Yeah, Stolps, it's true, that they are very different vessels for achieving the very same record. When it comes to the Outright World Record for the fastest sailing craft, though, the WSSRC recognizes both of them equally. I understand the discussion as to what really constitutes "a boat", but for this purpose it becomes somewhat distant.

 

I'm in awe of the 60' French foiler, L'Hydroptere and their 20 million Euro budget to produce a 50 knot machine. But, the part that bangs me so hard is the 54.3 knots thing for what is basically one man and a $6K kit. Pure stones to go that fast and know that one tiny mistake is going to hurt incredibly bad. And they still have a couple more weeks at Luderitz to push it even higher.

 

The part I do not understand is the near total lack of anything even remotely like a properly designed and executed aero suit for these speed runs. I'm not an aerodynamicist, but it would seem to me that 60 knots is within their reach if they suit-up in a wind tunnel developed outfit and have a go. That would be an incredibly fun project with which to be involved.

 

Eh, calling what is essentially a wakeboard a 'vessel' is quite a stretch in my mind - but props to the guy in the vid 'cause I don't have stones that big. I suppose dissent is the reason for different classes of speed records that exist in the world.

 

This seems pretty cutting edge, so the money and interest aren't there yet to justify the expense of wind tunnel development (my guess). It'd be pretty easy to develop a pod that would provide some aerodynamic gains in the form of reduced drag and additional lift opposite the kite. Probably a bit difficult to steer, but for a pure speed run perfectly feasible up to the limits of the guy driving the kite. Hell, you could probably even build adjustments into it to change the amount of lift it produces.

[Guitar 73]

That was nucking futs. Hats off to them.

[Kenny Dumas 211]

Very cool stuff. Gotta wonder about the foils as well as aerodynamics. Riding that edge doesn't seem like the best possible foil. And are the fins still perpendicular with the board bottom or are they running asymetrical canted foils?

[Junkyard Dog 13]

Yeah, Stolps, it's true, that they are very different vessels for achieving the very same record. When it comes to the Outright World Record for the fastest sailing craft, though, the WSSRC recognizes both of them equally. I understand the discussion as to what really constitutes "a boat", but for this purpose it becomes somewhat distant.

 

I'm in awe of the 60' French foiler, L'Hydroptere and their 20 million Euro budget to produce a 50 knot machine. But, the part that bangs me so hard is the 54.3 knots thing for what is basically one man and a $6K kit. Pure stones to go that fast and know that one tiny mistake is going to hurt incredibly bad. And they still have a couple more weeks at Luderitz to push it even higher.

 

The part I do not understand is the near total lack of anything even remotely like a properly designed and executed aero suit for these speed runs. I'm not an aerodynamicist, but it would seem to me that 60 knots is within their reach if they suit-up in a wind tunnel developed outfit and have a go. That would be an incredibly fun project with which to be involved.

 

Eh, calling what is essentially a wakeboard a 'vessel' is quite a stretch in my mind - but props to the guy in the vid 'cause I don't have stones that big. I suppose dissent is the reason for different classes of speed records that exist in the world.

 

This seems pretty cutting edge, so the money and interest aren't there yet to justify the expense of wind tunnel development (my guess). It'd be pretty easy to develop a pod that would provide some aerodynamic gains in the form of reduced drag and additional lift opposite the kite. Probably a bit difficult to steer, but for a pure speed run perfectly feasible up to the limits of the guy driving the kite. Hell, you could probably even build adjustments into it to change the amount of lift it produces.

+1

 

Haven't ice boats gone faster?

[Chapped 2]

Haven't ice boats gone faster?

 

 

 

Yes, they have. But, water vapor boats have gone even faster. ;-)

 

I would suppose that there's a clause somewhere in the WSSRC rules that stipulates liquid water as the medium.

[weightless 519]

I'm in awe of the 60' French foiler, L'Hydroptere and their 20 million Euro budget to produce a 50 knot machine. But, the part that bangs me so hard is the 54.3 knots thing for what is basically one man and a $6K kit. Pure stones to go that fast and know that one tiny mistake is going to hurt incredibly bad. And they still have a couple more weeks at Luderitz to push it even higher.

 

Amazing stuff in lots of ways. But the comparisons are strained. These records are dependent on the canal. So, add the cost of a special canal in an ideal location the $6k of kit and perhaps a footnote defining what qualifies as "water". At any rate, this is great stuff and so is L'H but they are almost incomparable.

[Cheesy 0]

I'm in awe of the 60' French foiler, L'Hydroptere and their 20 million Euro budget to produce a 50 knot machine. But, the part that bangs me so hard is the 54.3 knots thing for what is basically one man and a $6K kit. Pure stones to go that fast and know that one tiny mistake is going to hurt incredibly bad. And they still have a couple more weeks at Luderitz to push it even higher.

 

Amazing stuff in lots of ways. But the comparisons are strained. These records are dependent on the canal. So, add the cost of a special canal in an ideal location the $6k of kit and perhaps a footnote defining what qualifies as "water". At any rate, this is great stuff and so is L'H but they are almost incomparable.

 

Well there are pros and cons to both, Im guessing that the GPS equipment that Hydroptere has that allows them to complete runs when and where they like costs significantly more than any of kite setups. Kites and windsurfers can only really compete over courses that are timed/watched by the speed record people, if you look at some of the kite GPS records they are higher again but cant be ratified.

 

Im not arguing that they arent differnt (they are very different) but they were all created to beat the sailing vessel speed record

[semelis 71]

I think the water course needs to be at least 2 feet depth to be qualified as "water", else drag is too much reduced, you know, strange things happen in hydrodymanics

Hydroptere's design goal is the round the world record, so comparing it with a kite-board looks like comparing apples and oranges, yet you can still put a bag of each and weigh which is heavier, or set a course and time which goes faster.

[Cheesy 0]

The record thas been broken again, twice; (yet to be ratified) 55.49 then 55.65

[PL3 5]

Interesting that Rob Douglas, of Martha's Vineyard, is now the world'sfastest sailor as he sails at Luderitz in South Africa. His father, RobertS. Douglas, senior, has been skippering SHENANDOAH -- the 102' squaretopsail schooner [designed by Captain Douglas senior, along the lines of the1850's revenue cutter JOE LANE] since she was launched for him back in 1964. SHENANDOAH hails from Vineyard Haven and has never had an engine; she's theiconic queen of the fleet here on the Vineyard where there is a world classcollection of wooden boats, including several schooners and yachts belongingto the Douglas family. Rob and his three brothers all learned to sail onSHENANDOAH as have many others during her summer cruises. She now takesisland school kids sailing. That was until they took up wind surfing, andother more challenging pursuits. Odd to think that Captain Douglas senior is the quintessential gaff riggedsailor and Robbie is now the fastest sailor in the world.

[P Flados 198]

Speed sailing is getting interesting to follow again. The Sailrocket 2 (VSR2) team looks like it may be on track to challenge the kiteboarders. They have made it to 50 knots for the full 500 meters with only a handful of real runs. The latest update at http://www.sailrocket.com/ includes:

 

That was our first ever 50 knot average run... and it was all pretty easy. I had a 75kg passenger sitting up in the back waving and none of the extra aero aids onboard. The wing wasn't fully sheeted in as the pod was already flying high and that would just make it go higher. I could easily see where another 5-8 knots would come from. VSR2 had beaten VSR1's best ever run and she is still getting warmed up. I know now that we have a real contender. The kitesurfers are no longer the undisputed kings. They are the hunted.

 

It also includes a discussion of WSSRC with:

 

"it looks like we will start our attempt on the 17th of next month... maybe sooner..."

and

 

"This will be immediately after the kite surfers record attempt down in Luderitz. "

 

I went to and did not see the usual open invitation to sign up for competing or any discussions of who will participate, but did see discussion of a new trench and:

 

"The answer will be revealed between 20th October and 17th November 2011, which are the dates of the event during which windsurfing and kitesurfing performances will be done"

 

I found some good photos of the new strip at

 

Then I found: with:

 

American Rob Douglas is the fastest sailor on the planet. On October 28, 2010, with the wind gusting to 45 knots, Douglas raised the bar further than anyone had gone before, hitting a new record speed of 55.65 knots in the manmade trench at Luderitz, Namibia.

 

Speed comes from strong, steady wind and flat water, and the virtues of the Luderitz trench in southern Africa first helped Douglas set the outright record in 2008 at a speed of 49.84 knots. Ever since, the Luderitz Speed Challenge in October has been the de facto event for windsurfers and kiteboarders to test the limits of speed.

 

Having an organized event helps to defray the related costs. Electronic timing equipment and personnel are needed, along with maintaining the shallow trench so it's groomed for speed. With the speed averaged over a 500 meter distance, organizers in 2010 dug a trench 750 meter long by 3 to 5 meters wide by 1 to 3 feet deep.

 

After a year of tuning his kites and boards for another record run next month at Luderitz, Douglas finds himself on the outside looking in. "I have heard that the Luderitz Speed Challenge is going to happen this year," replied Douglas, "but it will be a private event and I am not invited to attend." The event organizer is also excluding France's Alexandre Caizergues, who had raised the speed record to 54.10 knots just before Douglas pushed if further to 55.65 knots.

 

Douglas has no idea why he is barred from the event. "I can only guess," said Douglas. "Sebastian Cattelan has never won the Luderitz Speed Challenge and maybe with Alex and me not around he will have better luck. Not real good for the sport but that's the way it goes." Attempts to contact organizers of the Luderitz Speed Challenge have been unsuccessful.

 

Turning lemons into lemonade, Douglas is hosting a GPS speed event on at Martha's Vineyard on October 16-31. The 12 fastest kitesurfers in world history will race, including multiple world record holder Alex Caizergues and the fastest women sailor, Charlotte Consorti. The North American Speed Sailing Invitational (NASSI) will have $30,000 in prize money, courtesy of Lynch Associates and The Black Dog.

 

The event is organized by The North American Speed Sailing Project (NASSP) and under specified conditions laid down by the International Kiteboarding Class Association (IKA). Visit the site: .