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Strong winds blow the 2009 Lüderitz Speed Challenge Print E-mail
Thursday, 29 October 2009 16:38

Luderitz Speed Challenge

The first real training day of the 2009 Lüderitz Speed challenge began on Sunday, October 25th, for the riders who had already arrived, including: Felipe Johannpeter of Brazil; Basil Cambanis, Sjoukie Bredenkamp and Hennie Bredenkamp of South Africa, Peter Bjarke, Olsen of Denmark, Stefan Metzger of Namibia, as well as Sèbastien Cattelan, Sophie Routaboul, and Marc Antoine Martin of France.
 
With the wind blowing between 35 and 40 knots, the new competitors were busy discovering what makes this spot so special - and the fastest speed strip in world.  They got to know the tide, which can be really capricious in its effects on water depth, and became familiar with the run, learning how to ride it properly.  Most of them were using new equipment: new kites to go faster than ever, and  newly shaped boards to maximize performance.
 
All the competitors have the same aim: put all their skills and their equipment together to break a record.  Many of the riders are posting their GPS tracks to www.gps-kitesurfing.com regularly, so you can follow their performances online.
 
This year, the majority of the crew of kitesurfers are staying at the Krabbenehoft & Lampe guest house, which is a big, colonial-style house, of the 19th century style typical to Lüderitz.  For sure this place is going to see lots of celebrations here as the Lüderitz Speed Challenge unfolds.
 
So, it’s been a week of gaining knowledge - getting to know the riders, and getting to know the conditions of the course.  Every spot is unique with different angles, different wind and different depths of water.  Riders need to become familiar with all of these differences.
 
Today, Alex Caizergues (last year’s winner), Charlotte Consorti, Christophe Prin-Guenon, and Manu Taub of France will arrive, as well as Tim Turner of Australia.


Tomorrow should also be a great day to train.  Our official time keeper, Fabrice of France, has developed an efficient time keeping system that he is implementing at the strip on the second lagoon.  He will be doing tests today to ensure that the management crew is well prepared.
 
As we get close to the start of this exciting competition, a group of the world’s best speed sailors are steadily gathering in this remote town. Everyone will meet for the official opening ceremony, which will take place on Sunday, October 31 at 10:00 am,  in the Lüderitz town council chamber.  In attendance will be Namibian media, officials from key Namibian organizations that are supporting the event, as well as Her Worship, the mayor of Lüderitz, Emillia Amupewa, and senior councilors, who have been endlessly supportive of the event.


SOURCE: Luderitz Speed Challenge
 

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