Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2014 - Day 1
by Sophie Routaboul 9 Oct 2014 11:17 BST
6 October - 2 November 2014
High speeds on day 1 of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2014 © Greg Beadle
Today the wind was 20-25 knots average with stronger gusts of up to 30-35 knots. The angle improves when the wind gets stronger. The race opened at 1pm but the wind was still light. A couple of riders went down the channel to get the feeling and adjust their gear.
The Dutch windsurfer Jacques Van der Hout who is leading the GPS ranking this year reached on his very first run on the Lüderitz channel 41 knots. Then Remo Diethelm from Switzerland went fastest with 42 knots.
After a period, Anders Brindal reached 45.5 kts and finished with the best speed of the day for Windsurfer with 45.47 knots checked (the speed are first average when they are timed and then checked a bit later). Patrik Diethelm came close with 45.15 knots on his last run.
2 National Records has been recorded today:
- Andrew Redfern from Fiji with 36.15 knots
- Martin Toth from Czech Republik with 39.96 knots.
The Austrian Windsurfer Franz Grabner is really close to achieving his national record, reaching 42.09 knots with the current record at 42.78 knots.
Lena Erdil, from Turkey is still adjusting to her new equipment reaching a top speed of 37.85 knots today.
On the Kitesurfing side, Ole Kjaer from Denmark clocked 43 knots knowing the channel from last year. Sylvain Hoceini, the 2014 French speed Champion who has been in Lüderitz for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 edition of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge, when we were still racing in the Lagoon, achieved 44.5 knots finishing the day with the second best time
Sébastien Cattelan, twice World Record Holder, who built the channel, managed a 50.07 knots on his 2nd run.
Riders are now more settled in and look forward to more serious conditions starting tomorrow.
Skipper meeting on the beach at 12pm.
The forecast predicts 40-45 knots. More records can fall.
Video can be found at www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152452454386482&set=vb.156953716481&type=2&theater