SailRocket are Go! - Vestas SailRocket team return to Speed-spot

by Paul Larsen on 20 Feb 2009
The Vestas SailRocket team have returned to the Walvis Bay ‘Speed-spot’ in Namibia for a second attempt at the Outright World Speed Sailing Record. The WSSRC ratified world record attempt will commence on the 20 February and will run for 28 days.

The Vestas SailRocket team are hungry to finish the journey to the top of the speed sailing mountain. As it stands they need to go a little over 3.2 knots (3.7 mph or 5.95 kmh) faster over the 500 meter course than their previous best record setting performance in order to beat the Kite-surfers. The Kite-surfers set the pace last year when Alex Caizergues did=2 0a run at 50.57 knots (93.66 kmh) in Luderitz.

The team have made a number of modifications to improve safety and prevent a re-enactment of their last high speed run where the whole 30’ craft took to the air and performed a spectacular half-loop. Everything is now in place at the team’s operation base at the Walvis Bay Yacht Club for the record attempt to commence.

Pilot / project manager Paul Larsen -

'As always, it’s great to be back in Namibia. We have arrived at a very exciting stage of the project where our performance is at a level where we can enter straight into a WSSRC ratified record attempt with a relatively high probability of success.

I do say that humbly. Whilst we are definitely setting our sights high, there are a number of nice boxes to tick along the way such as to beat the best of the windsurfers at 49.09 knots and become the first true 50 knot boat.'

Whilst that first ‘flip’ wasn’t scary at the time, it will be in the back of my mind when I go to put the hammers down next time.

This speed sailing ladder is full of snakes that’s for sure.

I know that if we are presented with a good opportunity to get this outright record that there will be one pretty determined and focused Australian eager to take up the challenge. As a project20we are in pretty good shape to nail this.'

Vestas SailRocket Designer Malcolm Barnsley -

'Having looked at the data and run the simulation with the ‘anti lift off’ mods , we are pretty confident that the 47.3 knot run was nothing special and significant increases in the range 1-3 knots are readily achievable. There is extra drag from the greater contact load at the front, but the additional drive available from optimum sheeting should more than compensate.'

'We need to approach these higher speeds with due caution but it’s going to be fascinating to see just where we can get to!'


Event website www.vestassailrocket.com