This year’s Ludertiz Speed Challenge is the beginning of a great future for the windsurfing community. Both Sebastien Cattelan and Sophie Routaboul have planned to build a new playground for windsurfers since last year; and the new canal is proving to be the absolute weapon for them. [more]
The ‘Luderitz Speed Challenge’ changed kites speed forever in 2007 but raising the bar to new heights, now it’s time for windsurfer.
What is hoped for is to put three crafts which have battled for years, namely kitesurfers, windsurfers and hydrofoil boats, on the same start line with the right conditions for a close contest, and all a real chance of attaining excellent results.
There is no point competing in a void as it devalues the achievement, so the challenge aims to help the other disciplines raise their speeds to make it a true contest.
Sebastien knows that he can reach sixty knots in kitesurfing, it’s the next aim, but for him windsurfing still needs to express itself. He wants to push the limits for them before reaching his own goal.
Positive energy is needed to manage this adventure, and an interesting challenge lies ahead for us to discover which process is the best; there’s bound to be confronting opinions and ideas of sailors, but the key is to first create the run which is the basis for all else.
No place in the World could be the witness to such performances as seen in Luderitz. Sebastien and Sophie have worked hard for four years to be able to reach the fifty-five knots. The same work is needed for windsurfers, but their experience and contributions are needed to make this possible.
So far, the new canal has proved easier in windsurfing than for kitesurfing, but some options still remain and the strong wind is coming again …
Despite of the fact that the organizers were preparing this new edition like a test according to the channel they have dug few days before the start, after some good wind conditions, the result is speaking: windsurf has never reached that speed before, Anders Bringdal, the legend, who took the opportunity and joined the test at the last minute as the windsurfing consultant, did a 50.7 knots Vmax during the first day of race! People from all over the World are watching. Trainings and improvements will be made after analysis, the record is closed.
Kite surfing records and performances will follow, step by step, this Team imagines and realizes what will be a huge ‘international records factory’ as it has already been profiled since five years.
Sponsors who have chosen to be part of that edition, will participate to an historical period for the Sailing World.
Luderitz Speed Challenge website
History – http://www.luderitz-speed.com/luderitz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=93
See Also: Anders Bringdal plans to smash speed World Record and view his video
