I just received and email from Sophie and Seb saying that they are going to skip running the canal in 2016 and aim at 2017 for the next edition.

That effectively means the possible group tour I was planning to run is off for this year, but may be organised for 2017.

Text of email:

LÜDERITZ SPEED CHALLENGE – Latest news!



· 110 National (Country) Records & 17 World Records; 2007 – 2015

· FIRST spot in the world to break the magical 50 & 55 knots barriers

· FASTEST spot in the world for Windsurfing since 2012

· Mentioned in various GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS BOOKS

·

The most beautiful wild spot in the world …

Sebastien and I would like to ensure even better performances for the next edition.

We don’t just want to add another year to this special *adventure*. We have to control everything possible to ensure its success. Sebastien is at the mercy of the wild Namib Desert and Mother Nature – as witnessed in 2015. Added to force majeure, LOGISTICS are far more challenging than being based in Europe or the USA! The nearest big town to Lüderitz is 325kms/200miles away!



It is impossible to be 100% sure that during the 6 week event that the canal will provide excellent conditions every day. At times, the wind is so strong that only a few riders have the technical skill to tackle the canal. At times, little or no wind. But, Legends and champions have been quoted on camera; “No place in the world has provided such high and so many excellent personal (PB) performances”.



To achieve a positive *group energy* and *group spirit*; Sebastien and his team have to rely on the trust and positive input from all the riders to achieve the same objective; “To go faster, faster & faster” (Quote: B. Dunkerbeck).

Based on all the above major factors, Sebastien and I have decided to delay the registration period for the 10th edition of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge to 2017. We have already started preparations for the 2017 Edition.



Sebastien and I want to take this opportunity to say a BIG thank you/merci to ALL our loyal supporters who have shown keen interest to come and compete in 2016. We will of course keep you updated with developments.

Let us all aim for an awesome 2017!



Yours in speed sailing,

Seb & Sophie.

probably they might deepen and widen the canal a bit?

It's probably a bit to early to speculate about the real reasons behind this, but I am sure that won't stop us all doing just that!

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sailquik said..
It's probably a bit to early to speculate about the real reasons behind this, but I am sure that won't stop us all doing just that!

my speculation is that Sebastian and the crew are finding sponsors to dig an extra canal for changing wind angles

I thought it was odd when Erik Beal mentioned bulldozers about to fill in the canal after this years event. I don't think that was done in previous years.

They may just want a break from it.

OTOH, I note there were less entrants and running weeks last year. There are probably only so may sponsored or wealthy people who can keep coming back every year.

Sometimes you just need a break

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sailquik said..
I thought it was odd when Erik Beal mentioned bulldozers about to fill in the canal after this years event. I don't think that was done in previous years.

They may just want a break from it.

OTOH, I note there were less entrants and running weeks last year. There are probably only so may sponsored or wealthy people who can keep coming back every year.

how much money is needed to join and do you have to show top rankings in gps or does any able-bodied sailor who can handle the canal join? just curious

last year it was 1200 euro a week! Thats a LOT in Aus$!!

They also ask for details of previous best speeds and performances. It might be just to have confidence you can handle it, but I might have just been for publicity blurb as well.

I would say at a minimum, you should have a fair bit of experience running in 30 knots plus winds on smallish speed equipment. One of the hardest parts is just getting a small speed board going in the very gusty, fluky winds in the start area!

Hey Daffy just think of the opportunities of a group tour to explore some western waters

Not match of a speed summer season here at home to prepare for it anyway, thanks daffy

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hardie said...
Hey Daffy just think of the opportunities of a group tour to explore some western waters

Put me down as the OER(official expedition repairer) I'd be up for a tour

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sailquik said..
last year it was 1200 euro a week! Thats a LOT in Aus$!!

They also ask for details of previous best speeds and performances. It might be just to have confidence you can handle it, but I might have just been for publicity blurb as well.

I would say at a minimum, you should have a fair bit of experience running in 30 knots plus winds on smallish speed equipment. One of the hardest parts is just getting a small speed board going in the very gusty, fluky winds in the start area!

30knots may suffice for the 2weeks before the main event, but for those that qualify for the later, running in over 40 knots and the ability to lean in and lay it down straight after the finish flag in the chop and turn back up wind at the end is preferable. Otherwise there is a 1m high bank with the road above to slow you down if you fail. Likewise if you sheet out and bear off further and straight-line it to the end of the slowdown area which is too short to just coast it down to a speed you have the ability to round up or stand on the tail your still going to hit the pile of dirt at the end pretty hard.

Tension's can rise if you take too long and miss a gust in the start area to get going with others itching to go whilst the window of opportunity for 30-60min occurs during the arvo when the fastest times go down. So if you are waiting for a trailer and several others to finish their run, who then put their sail on top of yours you will be last off it, and waiting longer inline for another run. So you may only get 2 runs in depending on number of people running at that time. It's luck of the draw when you get to the trailer, last in first off is what you hope for. When it's on 35+, 16 competitors is what a lot of us agreed upon would be best for the course to run smoothly with minimal hold ups. If you have your own caddy and transport to get you back up to the start efficiently and back in line, your experience and chances increase to tune up and line up a PB when conditions are best.

Apart from fluffed starts, exiting out of the finish area as fast as you can is very important to ensure the maximum number of runs can be had for all down the canal. The signal for a start is controlled by the officials call, on if the course is clear including the finish area. If you hang around in there as you step off to check your GPS etc you are cutting into everyone else's time waiting in line to have a run.

It's a harsh but interesting place, and is a long way to go for the chance to sail down a ditch if the wind blows for E1200+ on top of everything else just to get there. Make sure your travel insurance has you covered for such, I ended up with 2 policies to suffice, & remember you are a long way from home.



Some insightful comments from the riders here...

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