Foil kiteboarder and Land Rover Extreme 40: partners in speed

The Land Rover Extreme 40 catamaran towed a foil kiteboarder during the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series Qingdao in China.

British surf manufacturer Carbon 6ix has hitched a ride from the 62-foot high Land Rover Extreme 40 during Act 3 of the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series, held in Chinese waters.

That's two carbon watercraft in action in an unusual sailing picture. The giant catamaran designed by Yves Loday gave the foil kiteboarder a ride at more than 20 knots.

Kite foilboarding is growing fast, and enthusiasts have been lobbying for a proper class in the heart of kiteboarding.

Foil kiteboards are faster than all other kite boards because they have less drag.

The downside is that foil kiteboarding may be too exotic for sailing authorities. It demands regular maintenance and is still more expensive than the traditional kiteboarding disciplines.

The Extreme 40 is a 40-foot-long catamaran that can reach speeds of 35 knots on flat water in a 20-25 knot wind. 

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