News
Rob Douglas new record holder
Sebastian Cattelan is officially the new speed sailing record holder of France and Europe to break the 55 knot barrier at the 2010 Luderitz Speed Challenge. His speed was recorded at 55.49 knots - 102.7km/hr.
Only 60 Minutes later Rob Douglas from the USA managed to set another new record of 55,65 knots. Alex Caizergues, also from France was 3rd with 54,93 knots. For the ladies, Charlotte Consorti, from France set new French and European Women's Record – 50.43 knots, and fellow Frenchwomen Sophie Routaboul was close on her heels and managed 48.64 knots (with a broken hand from crashing the previous week).
The wind was 45 knots max and the Organization decided to create a wall of sand at the end of the run to retain the water level to the minimum depth of 18cm as required by the WSSRC. Sebastien Cattelan had attempted to do this 2 weeks previously on a day of extremely strong winds, however had faced stiff opposition from certain competitors who forced him to re-open the channel and as a result the water level dropped to below the required 18cm and the race had to be abandoned. It appears that only now, in the last week of the event, do competitors realize the benefits of his foresight.