Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Fifty knots broken again - New Speed Record

by Markus Schwendtner on 5 Oct 2008
Alexandre Caizergues (FRA) - Lüderitz Speed Challenge Luderitz Speed Challenge http://www.luderitz-speed.com/
Alexandre Caizergues (FRA) is the fastest sailor on earth now, with a blistering 50.57 knots run today, accompanied by several more 50s and high 49s.

Yesterday the Lüderitz Speed Challenge saw Sebastien Cattelan of France become the first human being to sail at more than 50 knots (93kph) – a world record he held for only 24 hours before compatriot Alexandre Caizergues snatched it away with not one but three runs over 50 knots – reaching a top speed of 50.57 knots (93.65kph).

• Alexandre Caizergues (France) – new outright world speed sailing record of 50.57 knots
(F-One, Ouest Provence, Volkswagen Utilitaires, ION, Placide)

• New outright Netherlands speed sailing record: Rolf van der Vlugt 45.99 knots (Airush, Mystic, Protest, TUDelft, X-tremeboards)

• New outright UK speed sailing record: David Williams 44.78 knots
(Best Kiteboarding, Dead Man clothing, KMS)

• New outright France women’s speed sailing record: Charlotte Consorti 43.53 knots (F-One, Nike, Maui Magic, Baracuda, Weleda)

• New outright Slovenia speed sailing record: Jernej Privsek 41.97 knots
(Jägermeister, Cocta, Kitesfera, Garmin)

• New outright Belgium speed sailing record: Christian Baret 40.87 knots
(Summerwood Guesthouse)

• New outright Netherlands women’s speed sailing record: Katja Roose 37.18 knots (Protest, Maui Magic, Airush)

• New UK women’s kitesurf record: Jemma Grobbelaar 35.61 knots (Flexifoil, Xelerator, Dakine, Arnette, Derevko, Cti, Lizzy, Island Tribe)

These speeds are verified, but are still subject to ratification by the WSSRC.

The massive winds that blew yesterday were exceeded today, although a later low tide meant a slightly delayed start. Several of the top competitors, including Cattelan and American Rob Douglas (who set a new world record in the first few days of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge), selected slightly smaller kites in today’s exceptionally strong conditions, but then swapped back – possibly costing them a few valuable fractions of a second on the 500m run. They still achieved top results, with Cattelan getting a 49.69 and Douglas a 48.82. Other top performers today were Christophe Prin Guenon (FR), who reached 49.54, and Jerome Bila (FR) who hit 49.09.

So far the Lüderitz Speed Challenge has seen ten new outright records and four new outright women’s records – outright world speed sailing record (Alexandre Caizergues - FR), outright women’s world speed sailing record (Sjoukje Bredenkamp - RSA), outright national records for USA (Rob Douglas), France (Alexandre Caizergues), Netherlands (Rolf van der Vlugt), United Kingdom (David Williams), South Africa (Hennie Bredenkamp), Slovenia (Jerney Privsek), Namibia (Jurgen Geiger) and Belgium (Christian Barret), with women’s outright records for France (Charlotte Consorti), Netherlands (Katja Roose) and South Africa (Sjoukje Bredenkamp).

www.luderitz-speed.com

Speed:World:Cup is the officially sanctioned world tour of the International Speed Windsurfing Class (ISWC) and the Professional Kite Riders Association (PKRA)

The Speed:World:Cup events go from exceptional action in Namibia to more cosmopolitan spots such as Fuerteventura - the historical European Speedsurfing Capital, to huge shows of extreme conditions on small islands like Karpathos. In total, there are 200 to 300 competitors at the same time, from places like Australia or Brasil, to Germany or Norway. http://www.speedworldcup.com

Rooster 2025North Sails Loft 57 PodcastVaikobi Custom Teamwear

Related Articles

New trophy for 2025 Six Metre Worlds
Presented by HM King Juan Carlos of Spain The Opening Ceremony for the 2025 International Six Metre Open and Classic World Championships saw the 29 participating teams from nine nations gather on the waterside lawn of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.
Posted today at 3:08 am
David Porter, King of Sydney Harbour in the 1970s
During one of the greatest eras in the 134-year history of the 18ft Skiff class During a 10-year career in the 18s from 1970-71 to 1979-80, inclusive, Dave Porter won the 1975 World Championship, three Australian and five NSW (State) championships as well as numerous club championships.
Posted today at 12:51 am
SailGP: Australia on top in Geneva- Day 1
The Flying Roos (AUS) top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. The Flying Roos sit on top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. This was the first test of the new light air foils, and three races were sailed, all completed within the time limits.
Posted today at 12:35 am
Another win for MACIF Santé Prévoyance
Sam Goodchild and Loïs Berrehar victorious in Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération The British skipper Sam Goodchild, who was a key part of the crew on Biotherm that won The Ocean Race Europe, followed up with victory in the two-handed Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération 48 Hours race today.
Posted on 20 Sep
Team Malizia ends on a high
Boris Herrmann's team fourth in The Ocean Race Europe After five legs, over 4,500 nautical miles, and six weeks of intense offshore racing, The Ocean Race Europe 2025 concluded today in Boka Bay, Montenegro. Team Malizia delivered a strong performance, climbing the overall leaderboard to finish fourth.
Posted on 20 Sep
A podium finish for Holcim-PRB
Team showed drive, consistent performance and commitment in The Ocean Race Europe After six weeks of racing, Holcim-PRB sailed its final race of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 today in Montenegro. With a third-place finish in the coastal race in Boka Bay, the Swiss boat secured a spot on the podium, claiming the bronze medal.
Posted on 20 Sep
Aussies checkmate in tense opener in Geneva
Tom Slingsby and the BONDS Flying Roos sit in pole position Tom Slingsby and the BONDS Flying Roos sit in pole position after the opening day in Geneva, following a day of racing that was described as a "chess-like battle" on the water.
Posted on 20 Sep
15th Défi Azimut - Acceleration and extension
Sleep? Dream on! The numerous videos posted by the OBRs (On-Board Reporters) on the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération server this morning testify to the infinite patience and the depth of talent required by the crews to make the Occidentale de Sein.
Posted on 20 Sep
BONDS Flying Roos in pole position in Geneva
Day 1 of Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The BONDS Flying Roos top the event leaderboard with 25 points after opening day in Geneva. All 12 international teams battled shifty, light conditions, with those able to stay up on the foils and nail the maneuvers finding themselves still in the hunt.
Posted on 20 Sep
Biotherm takes the win
Spectacular Coastal Race in Boka Bay marks the end of The Ocean Race Europe The Boka Bay Coastal Race was a perfect reflection of this edition of The Ocean Race Europe: spectacular. And as they did over and over again during the past six weeks, it was Paul Meilhat's Biotherm who secured victory.
Posted on 20 Sep