Luderitz Speed Challenge New World Record of 54.1 knots

First woman to break 50!

Charlotte Consorti-first lady to cross 50 knots-way to go! http://charlotteconsorti.fr/

 

I agree that most of those at the top have probably invested a lot and that the skill / guts factor is huge. For this crowd, time on the water in strong wind is probably a real big factor. This has to come with plenty of bumps, bruises, strains, or even worse. For those really into kites and speed, I am also sure that there are also plenty of ways to spend money (travell, gear, etc.).

In my discussion of cost, it was more of a comparative thing and it also was in the context of what it would take to get started. As a whole, the kite crowd is probably spending plenty on a collective basis. However, this tends to feed the overall success of their efforts. Then again, if you totalled everything ever spent on kiting by everyone at this years event, I am not so sure that it would match the total cost spent on developing and sailing a certain large French foiling trimaran.

I agree that it is usually only the very best that wind up on top. On the other hand, Kite gear is probably improving fast. This means that if anyone does come up with a really better idea for their kite, the board, the fins or what ever, it might make a big enough difference.

Just think of it in terms of a possibilities for those of us with neither really deep pockets or big sponsors. A few years ago, the magic “50” number seemed almost like a barrier. Now just count the number of those that have exceeded this (2 boats & a whole load of Kiters).

By the way, I though I would make a point that Mr. Lord made some positive, well expressed and constructive posts in this forum. I really liked the one just above. It is kind of nice when everyone is being civil.

 

After making the comment that this kind of sailing "has to come with plenty of bumps, bruises, strains, or even worse", I happened to check out Rob's site, http://nassp.net/nassp/, and found:

Call it amazing…call it ballsy…call it, "The Duel In the Desert Trench." Drama personified in Ludertiz yesterday resulted in success for Team NASSP. Mission Accompished. Rob Douglas (USA 55 / Blue Leader) has accomplished exactly what he set out to do…he proudly and courageosly recaptured the Outright World Speed Sailing Record yesterday in the Ludertiz, 2nd Lagoon Trench.

With winds in excess of 45 knots and sand storms and sea spray all around, Rob entered The Trench. Riding his 9m Switchblade and speed board of choice, wearing his helmet and all additional padding and protection, Rob sailed down the Ludertiz Trench into a very questionable finishing area (completely closed and close to rocks and sand banks). He has once again sailed into the annals of sailing history…World Record Speed of 55.65 knots !

On Rob's second run he got fouled up during the finish and fractured his right wrist. The NASSP Team has decided to have Rob return prematurely to Boston, MA. to undergo necessary medical procedures. On his return flight Rob will be accompanied by NASSP founding sponsor Bill Lynch (USA 52 / Green Leader).Meanwhile, Jamie and Morgan will keep the kites in the sky as the high wind continues to pound the 2nd Lagoon. Coach Gebhardt will remain with The Boys. ​

This trench may be good for speed, but I am not sure that they are putting enough effort into making sure that there is enough room at the end for safe stopping. But then again, I am sure that the risks are pretty apparent and this crowd is sufficiently obsessed such that they would be out there regardless.

The record is a great accomplishment for Rob. I hope he heals soon and strong.

 

Meet Concluded, Final Results

The 2010 Luderitz Speed Challenge has come to a close.
http://www.luderitz-speed.com/

Final fast times are posted as follows:

1 Rob Douglas (WR & NR) USA 55.65

2 Sebastien Cattelan (NR) FRA 55.49

3 Alex Caizergues FRA 54.93

4 Sebastien Salerno FRA 54.28

5 Sylvain Hoceini FRA 52.90

6 Gavin Broadbent (NR) NZ 50.93

7 Basil Cambanis (NR) ZA 50.75

8 Taro Niehaus ZA 50.62

9 Charlotte Consorti (Ladies WR & NR) FRA 50.43

10 Morgan Douglas USA 49.69

11 Jamie Douglas USA 49.46

12 Stefan Metzger (NR) NAM 49.28

13 Manu Taub FRA 49.09

14 Patrice Menossi FRA 48.74

15 Sophie Routaboul FRA 48.64

16 Marc Avella (NR) ESP 48.55

17 Christophe Prin-Guenon FR 47.18

18 Fred Kloren NL 46.93

19 Tim Pumpa (NR) AUS 46.78

20 Jernej Privsek (NR) 46.60

21 Anders Bringdal (NR) [W] SWE 44.80

22 Sjoukje Bredenkamp ZA 44.25

23 Zsolt Lenkei (NR) HUN 43.65

24 Bill Lynch USA 42.32

25 Farrel O-Shea [W] UK 41.02

26 Afrit Foued (NR) ALB 39.81

27 Nick Vardalaxos [W] GR 38.06

28 Andrea Baldini [W] IT 37.21

29 Zara Davis (PR) [W]UK 36.99

30 Leila Nouar FRA 34.71

 

The kite surfer speeds are exceptional, and I thoroughly respect what they have achieved. But taken to its logical conclusion could you not "just" fly your kite dead down wind in 100kts of breeze and trail a thin piece of string in the water. You'd go the best part of 100kts, but I'd struggle to call that sailing. If the only requirement for 'sailing' is "wind powered and in contact with water", then we are a long way short of what ultimate top speeds can be, but I'd find it quite dull to watch paper bag races in stronger and stronger winds.

 

It seems that you are in doubt as to the potential for future kiteboarding claims. How is your painted picture any different than this craft designed by Jon Howes? Would you consider his effort as more substantial than your 100knot flying kite description simply because it has more complexity? I see them as the same thing and I welcome the effort by Howes, as soon as his team can get it completed and out on the chosen course.

 

Speed?

My suggestion, in the interest of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic fairness, is that if one "speed" record is said to equal another "speed" record than both would be accomplished at very damn close to the same multiple of windspeed-or no dice. Saying that 55 knots at 1.11 times windspeed is the same as 55 knots at 1.5 times windspeed is just wrong.

And I just can't get my head around the ditch being ok.

 

Cost not a factor?

 

---------------
No-aerodynamic and hydrodynamic factors only, in my opinion.

 

That is just another can or arbitry worms though, as it stands the speed record is for the lowest time over a set distance in a minimum depth of water. Yes the foiler and a kite are apples and oranges but in this instance both of their aims are the same, the rules are the same therfore the outcomes are comparable, someone may bring a bannana to the party and find that it is faster... thats the name of the game.

Also Im not sure where your 1.11 times windspeed came from but I can almost gaurantee that the true wind that the kite was in was higher than what you think it is

 

The playing field of the existing rules is leveled on the basis of wind on a sail/wing/kite being the power source with the board/foils/etc pushing against the water to give forward thrust while giving some sailor(boat)/fool(sailboard)/crazy man(kite in a trench) the ride of his life (although it seems we are getting uncomfortably close to chancing "the ride that will end your life" when you look at the videos of speed sailing boat/kite crashes).

If you just admit that the above is "sailing", then Kites are fine.

On the other hand, no one will claim that their sailboard is the "fastest sailboat on the water". Regardless what Rob & a couple of others did, Hydroptere can still make this claim.

The boat crowd actually has a little bragging room. Hydroptere could actually do "useful travel" - the ability to carry passengers front some arbitrary point A to a destination Point B as fast as possible across the water (with good winds and normal chop). Not much chance of useful navigation with a passenger from any of the other recent players. I do not recall the last time somone said "I took a day trip up the coast on my sailboard / kiteboard / sailrocket to visit with friends".

Getting back to "sailing" as compared to fast sailboats, think about other forms of sailing.

Ice sailing does not take as much down force to create a sizable side force. Anders Ansar http://home.swipnet.se/ansar/s.html claims to have gone pretty fast with skates on his feet while doing something I would call "wearing a wing". If someone gets one of these contraptions going faster than any documented "ice boat", I will not argue if he claims to be the fastest at ice sailing.

The land speed record does not specify a layout. However, without the weight of a sizable craft, this crowd cannot get the friction they need to go fast on a flat surface. I do not recall anyone going very fast without a land yacht.

 

Some, including Richard Branson, might disagree...

 

Useful Recreation, which is what 99.9% of us are doing with our sailing craft anyway. That award easily goes to the kiters and the all-around versatility of the sport. A simple change of the board in use and you can hit the snow, do freestyle, surf and set world speed records.

Can L'Hydroptere make a run with passengers in overhead surf in Tahiti's nastiest reef break. It's already been done by a kiteboarder. Can L'Hydroptere bang a cornice at 10,000'

 

I thinking of "useful" as more than just having fun and "navigation" as more than a limited distance run (or just one tack for Sailrocket or MI).

Some people seem less picky.

Oh well, I have to admit that most sailing does fall into the latter category.

Just call me old fashioned when I want my sailing to include both the ability to get somewhere (fast if there is wind and desire) and at the same time be able to relax and enjoy some scenery along the way if the wind is so - so.

On the other hand, the kites have a lot of possibilities if you are up to the challenge. The fact that skill, strength and guts (or nuts) is such a big part of the record chasing with kites makes me admire them even more.

For me, I can enjoy watching the videos but my brain is pretty consistent in overriding any silly urges to try kiting given that:

1. I happen to know the exact day that I become eligible for retirement.

2. I want to enjoy retirement while still capable of "personal mobility" without mechanical assistance.

2. My joints don't heal real fast any more (I am not so sure that my sins of past days won't catch up with me yet).

3. I am enough of a fool such that if I did get a chance, I would probably push just as hard as anyone else even though I do not have what it takes to make it work.

Having said the above, I must admit to all kinds of scheming on how to go really fast (enough to kill/maim myself of course) in some small trailerable boat. I know it really makes no sense, but just tell me how many goals we set for ourselves in the area of sailing really make a whole lot of sense.

 

It`s interesting to see that we all have our own views, and many try to impose their viewpoint on others, I guess if others agree with you it validates your own beliefs.
I can`t see the craft by Jon Howes as a sailing craft - in my opinion it is an aircraft with one foot in the water (if it flies / sails at all). I do, however, still see it as a valid contender if it satisfies the rules set out by the WSSRC. Neither do I see it as a practical craft capable of sailing on both tacks or covering any distance other than down a speed course. MI I view in a similar light.
Sailrocket I tend to look at differently - it is basically a 30ft needle attached to a wing in a configuration not too dissimilar to the kitesurfers, which is probably why it acchieved the results it did. If Paul Larsen could have kept it on the water on that mad run where he took off, he probably would have done 60knots, who knows what the potential of that craft was. I`m waiting anxiously to see what he rolls out of the shed next.
Hydroptere IS the closest relative to a sailing boat, given that it can sail in displacement mode and foiling mode, can tack and return to port with a crew, and sail long distances. The fact that there is an a-cat by the italian crew who are exploring the same route and have had some success, shows us that the technology could be applied to sailboats you and I could own if we chose to (notwithstanding budget constraints - even at a small scale this will be expensive).
The windsurfers day has come and gone, I don`t believe they will ever improve the design to the extent required to catch the kiters, they have been whittling away at the record one tenth of a knot at a time, while the kites have just obliterated it by 10%.
The kiters are an interesting phenomenon - last year I thought they had reached their full potential, yet they are STILL using production kites which are NOT specifically optimised for speed, and many of their boards are home-made experiments.
The following opinion brings a small smile :
"The boat crowd actually has a little bragging room. Hydroptere could actually do "useful travel" - the ability to carry passengers front some arbitrary point A to a destination Point B as fast as possible across the water (with good winds and normal chop). Not much chance of useful navigation with a passenger from any of the other recent players. I do not recall the last time somone said "I took a day trip up the coast on my sailboard / kiteboard / sailrocket to visit with friends".
Does this opinion take into account other single-handed forms of sailing and paint them with the same brush ? A-class catamarans, Moths, these are boats, are they any less of a boat than one that can carry passengers, if so, how many passengers would you suggest warrants a sailing craft calling itself a boat ? Have you asked Sebastien Cattelan and Alex Caizergues what daysailing distances they have covered - they have sailed from Cape Town round Robben Island, to Langebaan Lagoon, and another trip around Cape Point - many keelboat sailors will not attempt this in anything less than 40ft and then only in an organised race where rescue backup is available.
I for one see this as a weak justification to ungraciously accept that the kites are the overall speedsailing record holders, but hey, that`s ok because they aren`t real boats, so Hydroptere is still king. Long live the king.
There could also exist the opinion that if a craft`s hull is not in contact with the water, it isn`t a real sailboat.
It`s interesting to see that we all have our own views, and many try to impose their viewpoint on others, I guess if others agree with you it validates your own beliefs.