Antoine Albeau has just upped the official 500m world speed record, now certified at 49,09knots. This is only 0,4knots faster than the previous record, amazing, at that level, how hard it is to go 0,4 knots faster.. (and 16,84knots faster than me !!) http://www.mastersofspeed.com/ check out Pascal Maka`s blog. Apologies for posting this to those catsailors who have no interest in windsurfing, might be of interest to some though. While the kitesurfers have claimed over 50knots on GPS for a while now, none have done it at a WSSRC ratified event. Who will be the first ?
Hi Darryn, 32.25knots is my best 2-second average on GPS on a board - did it yesterday running deep downwind through 1ft chop with a wave sail, not the best conditions. My average of 5 best 10sec runs (the generally accepted measure in speedsailing) is 29,09knots. So Antoine is "only" 20knots faster than me on a board. But then he does have the best kit, the right venue, he`s around 25kg heavier than me, and probably wears a weight vest as well.. Oh yes, and unlike me, he can actually windsurf. I`ve done just over 16knots on the Mozzie, but then only used the GPS at our nationals in December, which was mostly light winds, 12-14knots. Best runs were obviously downwind with spinnaker up. I`d like to do more GPS sailing on the cat, but recently the weather has favoured windsurfing, if you look at the attached pic..
That's basically the gist of it. The added drag from having more weight is less than the power increase that having more weight allows. Being tall is helpful too. I believe Finian (previous record holder) is about 260lb and probaby in the 6'-3" to 6'-5" range. Antione Albeau is about 6'-1", 200 or 210lbs. Either of these riders may have been wearing weight as well.
Skill and equipment obviously have a lot to do with it too. Antoine is a very accomplished professional racer.
They're practically sailing downwind in over 50 knots of breeze with "big" sails. Just controlling the thing for launching and take-off requires size and strength in that much breeze.
Yeah Karl, Have to agree with the two answers so far, seems weight helps hold down more sail area, making you faster. Common for the guys trying to break speed records to wear weight vests. When the wind is up to 30knots I am down to 5sqm sail, at 72kg. These guys are using the same size sail in 50knots plus. There is also some serious skill involved. The first day at last year`s Defi Wind in France was over 50knots, the organisers allowed only the pro sailors to race, to put on a show. This link is to the video.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGgFuxHExYo
And here`s the video from yesterdays speed record.. Some interesting dismounts, especially ITA 120 (Patrik Diethelm), who loses his helmet and breaks his mast.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3qffZALcnI
