Guy Bridge: he finished the 2018 Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton in 18 minutes and 49 seconds | Photo: North/Red Bull

Guy Bridge set a new speed record at the 2018 Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton, in Western Australia.

The 19-year-old athlete concluded the 19-kilometer kiteboarding marathon from Rottnest Island to Leighton Beach, in Fremantle, in 18 minutes and 49 seconds.

On his hydrofoil board, Bridge cut 45 seconds off the race record established in 2016.

The open ocean event attracted 135 local and international kiteboarders and got underway under clear blue skies and with steady 20-knot winds.

"I'm pretty stoked. There was no seaweed, there wasn't too much swell, and we had plenty of wind. So it was really perfect," stated Guy Bridge.

"I went a lot faster than last year. And it's pretty incredible to have managed to get the extra distance ahead in the race to beat the record."

Rachael Hughes was the first female rider to finish the Lighthouse to Leighton kiteboarding race. She rode a twin tip and was faster than Claire May, who won the women's foil division.

"It was a really fun race. I wasn't expecting to win. It's always a toss-up which kite you're going to race with, so there is some luck involved too," added Hughes.

Alty Frisby was the fastest Australian rider, so he ended up taking the Marc Sprod Memorial Trophy.

2018 Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton | Top 3

Men
1. Guy Bridge, 18m49s
2. Alty Frisby, 21m14s
3. Mani Bisschops, 21m17s

Women
1. Rachael Hughes, 31m10s
2. Cristina Gaudieri, 32m56s
3. Kathryn Davies, 33m00s

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