Kiteboarders to attempt world speed sailing record
by Tanguy Blondel on 27 Nov 2012
Salt and Speed Tanguy Blondel
Within the context of the 'Salt and Speed' world speed sailing record attempt in Salin-de-Giraud, France, kiteboarders Alex Caizergues and Rob Douglas will be in the starting blocks on Thursday and Friday on the 'Volkswagen Transporter Arena' race zone. Strong 35-40 knot North-Westerly wind is expected on site.
Alexandre Caizergues: Born on 14 March 1979
3 x World Speed Champion (2007, 2008, 2009)
2 x World Speed Record all categories combined in 2008 and 2010
2 x World Kite Speed Record in 2007 and 2009
2 x FFVL (French Free Flight Federation) French Speed Champion
European Long Distance Number Two 2008
World Speed Number Two 2006
1st man to break 100 km/hr on the water, propelled by the wind
Rob Douglas: Born on 16 June 1971
World Speed Record all categories combined in 2011 with 55.65 knots and 49.84 knots in 2008.
World Speed Champion 2012
In figures:
65.45 knots: SailRocket 2 24 November 2012 in Namibia
59.23 knots: SailRocket 2 November 2012 (awaiting WSSRC approval)
55.65 knots: Rob Douglas 28 October 2010 Namibia
54.10 knots: Alexandre Caizergues 12 October 2010 Luderitz, Namibia exceeding 100km/hr
51.36 knots: Hydroptère on 6 September 2009
50.57 knots: Alexandre Caizergues 4 October 2008 Luderitz, Namibia
50.26 knots: Seb Cattelan 3 October 2008 Luderitz, Namibia
49.84 knots: Rob Douglas 19 September 2008 Luderitz, Namibia
49.09 knots: World Speed Record Antoine Albeau 5 March 2008 in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, France
46.82 knots: Record set by windsurfer Finian Maynard in the autumn of 2004, bringing an end to the hegemony of the sailboat Yellow Pages in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, France
46.52 knots: Yellow Pages Endeavour in 1993 at the Sandy Point spot, Australia
38.86 knots: Pascal MAKA the first windsurfer to rack up a new official record with 38.86 knots in Sotavento
26.30 knots: Crossbow Catamaran in Portland in 1972
NB: the outright World Sailing Speed Record is the best average speed over 500m by a sail-powered contraption… As such it is different to a peak speed!
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