New sailing speed record set

A new sailing speed record was set Oct. 13th in Namibia by a kiteboarder.

http://www.thekiteboarder.com/wordpress ... -10-knots/

The speed is: 54.1 knots = 62.25 mph = 100.19 km/h

Holy cr@p 100km/h on wind power! thats crazy!

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'72 Hobie 16
with
#56 Gonzo Nationals

I think the ice boats go faster.

I reckon the wind was blowing 60+ mph as no apparent wind is acquired with kiteboarding?

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UK Wildcats have 8 now!

1976 H16 27640
1985 H16 89112

I think kite sailors may be able to generate a bit of apparent wind.....
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5qGepym5AA&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Easily, and then some.

The land speed record stood for something like 30 years and it was held by an iceboat set in the late 1800's. Wasn't beat by an engine until the 1920's.
(I think)

Legend has it that my neighbor's B Skeeter was clocked on Lake Mendota in WI going 125mph a few years back. This thing is nearly 30' long and is as tall as my Hobie 20 and runs circles around the Knights and DNs on Clear Lake.

Wow! That's insane and I bet it was awesome. There is nothing quite like the feeling of sailing at increasing speeds and realizing the amazing power of nature. Gotta be the best sport out there, really.

thats great I was hoping you would get another 20!!

when did you get it?

Sorry, WHEN I had my 20, is was as tall as it. Jeez.

Thats really a pretty amazing video. I'd like to know why there are almost no ripples on the water even though there is enough wind to surf. Where I live, ANYTIME the water is glassy, there isn't a drop of wind whatsoever, not even in the tops of the trees. I know wind may be present at higher altitudes, but notice his kite is alsmost touching the water at times and still water smooth as glass.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Apparant wind is definintely generated with kites. Any object moving through the atmosphere generates an apparant wind. One of the unique things about kite-driven craft is that the kite can generate an apparant wind that is not directly dependent upon the craft's forward speed. The rider can dive the kite and even do figure-8s to increase the kite's apparant wind even when the wind is light and the craft is moving slowly.

sm

The channel is purpose built for speed trials - check http://www.luderitz-speed.com/

Another extremely impressive run is shown here 32.94 kts - 2880 nm in 3d,15.5 hr
http://www.sailspeedrecords.com/wssrc-r ... cords.html