Day 5 of the Chris Benz Lüderitz Speed Challenge- 4 more records!

by Sophie Routaboul on 17 Oct 2014 Chris Benz Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2014 - Today has once again been a very successful race day = four more records!

The wind speeds have been lower than expected but the course was smoother than ever. Despite 25-30 knot wind speeds only (with stronger gusts) the competitors achieved *crazy speeds*.

Remo Diethelm (Swiss Champion) opened the race day by smashing his Swiss record (47.0 kts) initially with 47.62 kts and then improved it on his next run with 48.31kts and led the race.

It was then the turn of Jacques van der Hout (Holland), who beat his best speed the day before and achieved 48 knots in most of his runs!

The young talented Dutch rider Hans Kreisel showed his skills by achieving an excellent 49.59 kts whilst competing alongside the highly experienced Anders Bringdal (Swedish Champion) who topped 49.6 kts then later exceeding 50 kts (twice) with 50.3 kts - the day’s best performance!

South African and Africa Champion Mark Grinnell did some impressive speeds by achieving a new National South African Record in Windsurfing with 49.92 kts (was 49.66 kts).

Czech Windsurfer Martin Tóth once again increased his record starting the event with 44.63 kts and is now at 46.73kts.
Many other riders also beat their best times:

Hennie Bredenkamp (South Africa) achieved 46.87 kts yesterday and improved it 3 times today reaching 48.77kts.
Alain de Gendt (Belgium) was on 45.92 kts by achieving his best speed yesterday and twice today, exceeded 47 kts with 47.41 kts – his top performance ever!

Erik Beale the first to achieve 40 kts in the 80s, started the event with 42.35 kts and finished the day with an amazing 46.29 kts.

Matthias Rottcher (Namibia Champion) was really close to his record today with 47.23kts (Record @ 47.51 kts) and Franz Grabner (Austria Champion) reached 47.34 kts (his record is 47.88 kts). Christian Bornemann (#2 Germany) who was at 46.75 kts pushed his speed to 46.44kts.

Lena Erdil (Turkey Champion and Red Bull rider) the only lady in the 2014 race event achieved 44.33 kts - only 1.5 knots short of the world record.

French kite surfer Sylvain Hoceini, who started the event with 46.82 kts on the first day, achieved 51.5 kts and went over 50 knots 7 times!

Sébastien Cattelan achieved 52.90 kts in kitesurfing and 43.55 knots in Windsurfing by borrowing equipment from riders,
has also done a great job with the building of the channel this year.

All are now waiting for the perfect conditions of: strong, stable winds with the right angle to take their PBs/Records to the next level. We will all enjoy the next few days with light wind racing in the lagoon and sharing a BBQ on the beach with local people thanks to SPAR, after a Ceremony at the fabulous Crayfish Bar & Lounge in the Lüderitz Nest Hotel to congratulate riders who are going back to their countries and welcoming others Ludertiz Speed