53.27 knot record for Antoine Albeau at Luderitz Speed Challenge

53.27 knot record for Antoine Albeau at the Luderitz Speed Challenge © Jonathan Tait / www.jonathantait.com

After 4 weeks of the Chris Benz Luderitz Speed Challenge 2015 event, conditions on Monday 2nd November were strong and perfect to break world and national records – BOTH achieved!

Until now, the wind has been strong, but not enough to break world records.

On Monday 2nd November 2015 the wind has been much stronger than predicted and the angle has been better to be able to sail in a multiple performance speed channel with flatter water surface.

We began the day with 25-30 knots average wind speed starting the race at 12.30. From 2pm, the wind suddenly starting to increase and strongly, reaching more than 50knots in the gusts. Sand was flying and sailing down the channel started to be really challenging due to the strong sand blasts.

After a couple of runs over 50 knots, Antoine Albeau, who achieved 51.66 kts 2 days ago was determined to beat his World Record (set at the 2012 Luderitz Speed Challenge: 52.05 kts).

53.27 knot record for Antoine Albeau at the Luderitz Speed Challenge - photo © Jeremy Lacave

Then records started to tumble one after the other!

• Karin Jaggi (29 World titles) improved her Swiss record again with 45.3 kts (was 44.92 kts a few days ago).

• Boris Vujasinovic followed up with another Croatian record with 48.99 kts.

• Antoine Albeau started to go over 51 knots and was joined by Patrik Diethelm (ITA). At about that time, around 1.15pm, Karin pushed hard and broke the Female World Record in Windsurfing with 46.31 kts! (Previously held by Zara Davis (UK) at the 2012 Luderitz Speed Challenge with 45.83 kts) and, just 15 minutes later, Antoine Albeau broke his world record, for the first time, achieving 52.41 kts!

  Then he never stopped – and broke it 5 times: 52.50 kts > 52.76 kts > 53.1 knots and then the actual World Record which now stands at a highly impressive 53.27 kts.

Antoine Albeau on Monday: 32 runs total > 13 runs over 52 knots > 4 runs over 53 knots – amazing!

After the first new World Record set by Antoine, it was then the turn of British Record Holder Farrel O'Shea to show his true skills and determination. After breaking his own British record 2 days ago with 49.24 kts, he improved it further with 49.99 kts. But he knew he couldn't stop as he was so close to the 50 knots! After a couple of runs, he smashed the 50kts with a highly impressive 51.20 knots (he is NOW 5th in the Windsurfing World Speed rankings!).

The Luderitz Speed Channel, masterminded by Sebastien Cattelan, twice World Record Holder in Kitesurfing, is the true diamond of this event. He has proven to all in the world speed sailing fraternity, yet again, that his original well engineered channel (& perfect spot), combined with the famous winds of Lüderitz; smashes world and national records and takes once average speed performances to much higher levels.

Karin Jaggi at the Luderitz Speed Challenge - photo © Jeremy Lacave

Let's see what will happen in the forthcoming days. 16 riders from different nationalities have until the 15th of November to achieve their personal objectives.

Well done to all the record breakers!

luderitz-speed.com