Luderitz Speed 09, about to start and definately with a Bang

[Windfreeeek]

Wow! Luderitz went off the scale today and so did the internet!!!

Massive winds hit 2nd Lagoon today during the warm up to the Luderitz Speed challenge 2009! Not only were potential GPS records set and broken, but the wind took out the internet dish and the whole of the Luderitz area is now official cyber-blacked out!

BUT, the information via old-school-comms, the telephone is simply insane.... Sebastien Cattelan hit a VMax of 61.7kts and, subject to ratification, has set a new Record for the 10 Second average of 56.5kts including a 56.8 10 Second run and an even more important 53.058kts 500m just before the official start of the WSSRC event!

Hennie Bredenkamp and Basil Cambanis were on hand, as well as World Kitespeed Record holders Alex Caizergues and Sjoulkje Bredenkamp, who all went out in some serious winds hitting 48kts! Alex and Hennie were touching on the 58's VMax with 53's on the 10 second runs, but Hennie, who borrowed a new Bandit promptly destroyed it after his 2nd run, with what he muted as his "worst beating for years," went on to to Diaz Point with his sailboard, but couldn't keep the tail down using a 4.2 Stealth! Manu Taub trashed an 8m Bandit, Sophie has damaged her ankle and most were on the sidelines watching the day unfold due to the super strong winds. Sjoukje's 4.5m was too much to risk and Charlotte was tip-toeing down the strip. Luderitz showed it's teeth today and all are hoping for more to come!

Winds were solid all day, with a good angle, but spin drift and more, didn't stop Seb from using a 9m kite in winds close to 50 knots! What is to come for the month ahead??? Who knows, but it has certainly been preempted by major and World beating GPS speeds so far (subject to ratification!)

Keep an eye on www.gps-kitesurfing.com for sessions being posted and on www.luderitzspeed.com for all of the news from Luderitz (once the internet has been restored!)

Regards


Rob

[El Rudo]

bump - I just read this, awesome! Any updates?

[Windfreeeek]

Today is the official Opening for the event and Sunday sees the first day of WSSRC Timing once the wind arrives. Keep your eyes on www.luderitz-speed.com for the lowdown and you can sign on to the Tweets and Facebook pages if you like.

A great video is on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlo88g3J ... r_embedded and check the 3:45 wipe out!