Alex Caizergues has sailed at 56.62 knots to set a new world speed kiteboarding record in Salin-de-Giraud, France.
The French kiteboarder was trying to establish Salin-de-Giraud as the best speed sailing location in the world during the third edition of "Salt and Speed", when the record came.
"I am delighted. It's great, it's fantastic. We validate the capabilities of our spot. We knew for a while that this could happen, we could go very quickly", says Alex Caizergues.
"In a north wind blowing between 45 and 50 knots, I made at least 15 runs, and every time I was over 50 knots. I enjoyed a good burst to accelerate."
Caizergues has beaten the American rider Rob Douglas, who had set the outright speed record of 55.65 knots in 2010.
The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) will have to confirm the official record.
The 500-meter record is held by Paul Larsen, who sailed the Vestas Sailrocket 2, at 65.45 knots, in Walvis Bay, Namibia, on November 24, 2012.