Video introduction to the Luderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia:
The first National Speed Record was broken within minutes of the start of the Luderitz Speed Event 2010 on what was expected to be simply a training session in anticipation prior to the big winds forecast for next week.
Forty-six year old kite surfer Gavin Broadbent smashed the existing New Zealand national record within 13 minutes of the opening of the first day of the 2010 Luderitz Speed Challenge on Friday 8th October at 2nd Lagoon, Luderitz Bay, Namibia. After only 3 runs his official average speed over 500m was recorded at 44.51 knots – the previous record being 40.68 knots.
Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2010 Opening. Image copyright Roger Hislop.
70 minutes later, also on his 3rd run, Swedish Windsurfer, Anders Bringdal broke the Swedish National Windsurfing record. The existing record was 41.96 and his official recorded speed was 42.9 knots.
Kite surfer practising. Image copyright Roger Hislop.
Australian Kite surfer Tim Pumpa was the 3rd competitor of the day to set a new national record – Best Kite Speed record for Australia with an official speed of 40.72 knots. The previous record was 33.94 knots.
Kite surfer practising. Image copyright Roger Hislop.
All new records are still to be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Record Council (WSSRC).
Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2010
