The Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2008 is finished, and it was a triumph, both for the competitors, who broke almost every record there was to break, and for the organisers, ESF Events, who not only proved that the speed strip in Lüderitz is one of the best speed sailing destinations in the world, but that a world-class, WSSRC sanctioned event could be successfully run here.

The Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2009 is already being planned, and will likely run over four weeks in October next year. The media coverage of this event has been phenomenal – specialist speed-sailing Websites, monthly sailing magazines, general sports periodicals, prime-time television. To see some of the coverage highlights, visit the “Media” section on Luderitz-speed.com.

“This event has been fantastic in every way. We achieved what we came to do – to break the 50 knot barrier and set a new world record in Lüderitz. We also saw every competitor sail faster than they’ve ever sailed before. The speed strip here has massive potential – we have only just started. We are looking at new ideas for the chop killer, other strips that can provide windsurfers great sailing, and getting a better idea of how the wind and tides work here to get the best possible conditions to take us to the 100kph level and beyond,” said Fred Dasse of ESF Events.

After the red flag went up to end the sailing yesterday, Sebastien Cattelan and the Netherlands' Rolf van der Vlugt stayed out to see what could be done as the wind suddenly picked up even more in the late afternoon. On GPS they both far exceeded the current records, with Cattelan going over 60 knots peak speed, and 54 knots average over 250m! With the right conditions, there is no end in site for how much faster speed sailors can go at the second lagoon in Lüderitz.

Below is a list of all the records that were broken.
               
Record  |  Name  |  Speed (knots)  |  Speed (kph)  |  Sponsors

Outright world speed sailing record    Alexandre Caizergues (France)    50.57    93.65    F-One, Ouest Provence, Volkswagen Utilitaires, ION, Placide
Outright world women's speed sailing record    Sjoukje Bredenkamp (South Africa)    45.20    83.70    Naish, Roxy, Oakley               
Outright USA speed sailing record    Rob Douglas    50.54    93.59    The Black Dog, Cabrinha, Lynch Associates, Dakine, Amundsen
Outright South Africa (and Africa) speed sailing record    Grant Ross    48.79    90.35    Cabrinha South Africa
Outright Netherlands speed sailing record    Rolf van der Vlugt    46.95    86.94    Airush, Mystic, Protest, TUDelft, X-tremeboards
Outright Namibia speed sailing record    Jurgen Geiger    44.90    83.15    Ocean Spirit, North, Free Air
Outright UK speed sailing record    David Williams    44.78    82.93    Best Kiteboarding, Dead Man clothing, KMS
Open water windsurf record    Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Switzerland)    44.74    82.85    Red Bull, VW, North Sails, Basf, Ecotel, Proof boards, Oakley, Mystic
Outright France women’s speed sailing record    Charlotte Consorti    44.74    82.85    F-One, Nike, Maui Magic, Baracuda, Weleda
Spain kitesurf record    Marc Avela    42.76    79.19    Reef, Oakley
Outright Slovenia speed sailing record    Jernej Privsek    43.42    80.41    Jägermeister, Cocta, Kitesfera, Garmin
Outright New Caledonia (and Pacific) record    Joan Henaff    41.01    75.94    Nouvelle-Caledonie North Kites
Outright Belgium speed sailing record    Christian Baret    40.87    75.69    Summerwood Guesthouse
Outright Netherlands women’s speed sailing record    Katja Roose    39.58    73.30    Protest, Maui Magic, Airush, X-tremeboards
UK women’s kitesurf record    Jemma Grobbelaar    38.18    70.70    Flexifoil, Xelerator, Dakine, Arnette, Derevko, Cti, Lizzy, Island Tribe

NB - all speeds are still subject to ratification by WSSRC

SOURCE: Luderitz Speed Challenge