For ultimate speed and efficiency records I think speed kiter's should change how they ride.
Let's think parachuting for a moment (at normal altitudes
)
- Gravity is big force and strong acceleration
- Air resistance (friction) limits terminal velocity to about 200km/h when flat
- With diving you can achieve faster speeds, up-to 320km/h
- source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachuting
Now back to kiting. Kite pull is vectored so only small portitition of kite line pull is transferred to forward speed of the kiter and normal kite force is less than gravity. Kiter standing up has big factor to air resistance. Then there is water resistance to beat.
What I am thinking is to use something like "air chair" (hydrofoil chair) with aerodynamic hull. I remember seeing a youtube video disabled man kiting with special chair. IMO kite speed buggies "prove" the point.