Chris Benz Luderitz Speed Challenge - Week 6

2015 Chris Benz Lüderitz Speed Challenge delivered:

• 6 World Records
• 35 National Records
• 31 Personal Bests
• 2 new World Record Holders
• 9 new National Record Holders

In Lüderitz, during Week 6, the final week of competition, good winds have blown every single day.

After the two World Records and many other top National performances achieved during Week 5, conditions have allowed the riders to keep going and further improve through extraordinary wind statistics.

Mentally and physically, these top class riders have given their all and more! They have had to master all their skills, experience, fine tuning of equipment to tame the famous winds of Lüderitz and of course, to master the famous Lüderitz Speed Canal.

The canal preparations for 2015 event proved anything but the *norm* for champion and channel developer Sebastien Cattelan. The almost perfect channel was then badly damaged by an unusual high tide which then forced Sebastien and his small crew to work all available hours to get the canal right again – which they did. This year's event proved that the word "impossible" doesn't exist. The organization was hugely supported by its loyal sponsors who have provided maximum support (& beyond) to ensure that speed sailing History would once again be achieved. And, what a year 2015 has turned out to be!

This extreme event survives to satisfy hopes and dreams but is ultimately controlled by unpredictable conditions. It makes each and every outstanding performance that much more special and extraordinary...The ultimate success of the 2015 event was only made possible with the positive mental attitude and extra-human energy of all those determined to take their own skills and experience to the next level – well done to all the successful riders!

Only due to 8 years of solid Research & Development by Sebastien Cattelan, Sophie Routaboul and their close team of professionals, has allowed this, the 9th Lüderitz Speed Challenge to overcome all obstacles and be an outstanding success.

The limits hare being pushed further and further every year - speeds achieved this year are nothing less than incredible. Once again, another ultra-performance level has been reached in Speed Sailing.

Antoine Albeau, who also set new National French Records, broke his own World Record no less than 5 times in Windsurfing, and finally achieved an astonishing 53.27 kts/98.55kph! (so close to the *monumental* 100kph)

Karin Jaggi, who broke her Swiss Record no less than 7 times, is now the NEW World Record Holder in Windsurfing with an awesome 46.31 kts!

Martin Hulinsky (Czech Republic) set a new Kitesurfing Record with 43.52 kts (improved 5 times) - 1st participation

Boris Vujasinovic (Croatia) broke his record 5 times – ended with 48.99 kts

Christian Bornemann, kept his German record with a new speed of 50.20 kts

Andrew Redfern(Fiji) broke his national record 2 times and finally achieved 41.89 kts

Farrel O' Shea (GBR) broke his British Record no less than 4x and achieved an amazing 51.20 kts

The Namibian Record in Windsurfing (was broken 3 times) by Matthias Rottcher with 50.91 kts.

Patrik Diethelm, now #2 speed sailor in the world, improved his Italian Record twice, ending up with a blistering 52.33 kts

A new South African Record in Windsurfing, was achieved by Mark Grinnell with a very determined 51.83 kts (now #3 in the World Ranking)

2 NEW National Record Holders - Production Boards

Jim Cloarec (FRA) > 48.38 kts

Francesco d'Urso (ITA) > 47.09 kts

11 riders have broken their Personal Bests

Heidi Ulrich (Suisse) > 37.21 kts (improved 3 times) - 1st participation

Sylvain Hoceini(France – Kite surfing) > 53.04 kts

Thierry Bielak (France) > 49.94 kts (improved 3 times) - Ultimate World Record Holder & windsurfing legend of the 90's

Christophe Richaud (France) > 49.28 kts (improved 4 times)

Manfred Merle (Germany) > 48.62 kts (improved 2 times)

Laurent Fesquet (France) > 48.45 kts (improved 3 times) – 1st participation

Christian Maillet (France) > 41.65 kts (improved 4 times) – 1st participation

Raffaello Gardelli(Sweden) > 48.57 kts (improved 3 times)

Alberto Possati (Italy) > 47.11 kts (now #2 in Italy)

Erik Beale (GBR) > 49.74 kts (improved 5 times) – Ultimate World Record Holder & windsurfing legend of the 80's / 1st to 40 kts

Christian Benzing (Germany) > 46.11 kts (improved 2 times)

HUGE congratulations to all the riders for their outstanding performances!

At the CLOSING CEREMONY held on Sunday 15.11.15 at the multiple award winning Lüderitz Nest Hotel & major sponsor since 2012, Chris Benz personally offered 3 Chris Benz Chronograph watches to the event's category winners:

Antoine Albeau, winner in Windsurfing with 53.27 kts - 22 times World Champion

Karin Jaggi, winner in Windsurfing (Ladies) with 46.31 kts - 29 World Titles

Sebastien Cattelan, winner in Kitesurfing with 53.66 kts - 1st to 50& 55 kts / 2 times Ultimate World Record Holder

A Namibian Diamond was won by a delighted Andrew Redfern in the Lucky Draw.

The organizers take this opportunity to once again thank all the Sponsors and everyone else, who positively contributed to the success of the outstanding 2015 event.

www.luderitz-speed.com