Those Mach 1's look sweet!

So cool to be getting this info and visual as its happening.

Hope they get the big wind.

Kudos to Proffit & Alfie for the speed at which they have already delivered some coverage.

Having been there the last thing you want to do after eating out the morning buffet at the the Nest, then the Cafe cakes coffee n shakes while the wind fills in, then sail, back to base lie down then into Barrells with the crew to swill down the days proceedings, sleep n repeat..... is make videos.

you can only imagine the expletives if you're fin lets go and you start heading towards the leeward bank. Not a good feeling.

Karo van Tonder first time on speed gear 39.2knot 500m to take womens national record , and a PB also for BP

The terminator times today

Bjorn was using a 5.5 serverne & his smallest starboard speedboard.

I've had similar results when I leave my GPS on for the car trip home

Lok at the board behind Ben and Ben! (the one with 127 or similar written on the sail)
Is someone using a weed fin on the channel there?
All other boards seem to have pointed fins.
I would have expected to see more fins in a rather triangular shape, the way a MXR UFO would look like, but this chunky thing really surprises me in the given conditions.
Any insider knowledge here?

Love Ben's comment "there's no way I'm going down that channel" must be daunting place to sail

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ZeeGerman said..
Lok at the board behind Ben and Ben! (the one with 127 or similar written on the sail)
Is someone using a weed fin on the channel there?
All other boards seem to have pointed fins.
I would have expected to see more fins in a rather triangular shape, the way a MXR UFO would look like, but this chunky thing really surprises me in the given conditions.
Any insider knowledge here?

The sail is from a Dutch men called Twan Verseput (with number NED127 www.twanverseput.nl) . I think you see a fin cover with under it this www.sonntag-fins.com/fins/gps_x2w/ fin.

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watermonster said..

ZeeGerman said..
Lok at the board behind Ben and Ben! (the one with 127 or similar written on the sail)
Is someone using a weed fin on the channel there?
All other boards seem to have pointed fins.
I would have expected to see more fins in a rather triangular shape, the way a MXR UFO would look like, but this chunky thing really surprises me in the given conditions.
Any insider knowledge here?

The sail is from a Dutch men called Twan Verseput (with number NED127 www.twanverseput.nl) . I think you see a fin cover with under it this www.sonntag-fins.com/fins/gps_x2w/ fin.

Ouch!
Seems I need a new pair of glasses. Admittedly i was in a hurry, too, when I watched the vid.
Tanks for a clever answer to a silly question.

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choco said..
Love Ben's comment "there's no way I'm going down that channel" must be daunting place to sail

The perspective you get from looking at vids and photos can be quite distorted/stredched as the channel can appear reasonably wide. It is not, especially as time goes by and the edges cave in from the traffic/wind chop. The irregular sandbars start to creep in from the sides and also can appear on the turn in corner as well as down the run as the canal naturally wants to do its thing.

Once you feel your way into it after several runs I found the turn in acceleration and the turn out de-acceleration the most fun. As you can see from some of the face cam footage going down the canal your pretty focused mostly on where and what you and the fin are doing somewhat.

This year looks like they are on the right track digging only mostly from leeward side and making longer start area. The difference of wind consistency and strength varies greatly between start and turn in corner, especially when its 30-40 and or gusty. So can result in false starts and frustrations.

As you would of heard in one of the vids or live streams when there is a break from the wind the hand shovels come out. This is to try and tame deepen straighten shallow sections or roll in edges. In 2013 ! did a lot of digging (wind) trying to smooth out the edge/gutter roll in as pumping the channel full of water seemed a problem and I wanted to make the best of it by reducing chop.

In the distance you can see the big hill/range that shields the start area from steady wind, the short dark dash is the start/rigging area.

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ZeeGerman said..
Lok at the board behind Ben and Ben! (the one with 127 or similar written on the sail)
Is someone using a weed fin on the channel there?
All other boards seem to have pointed fins.
I would have expected to see more fins in a rather triangular shape, the way a MXR UFO would look like, but this chunky thing really surprises me in the given conditions.
Any insider knowledge here?

I used my Ka's 20 & 21 which have a fair amount of rake and were pretty safe and a good choice for feeling the place out, especially some choppy sections. The angle is probably deeper than what most average speed sailors are accustomed to and also the very high speeds. Admittedly at first it all felt a bit backwards for me, and a lot of re-tuning of stance, and kit were required as the canal is specific, locked in some what requiring a certain set up.

Slightly upright work better giving more power off the wind with the very deep angle, but will keep you on your toes if you have a moment, its all a balance in finding the best combo.

As Ben Sv' alluded, and was not giving away much, more back hand pressure is just one item thats required.

Thanks Spotty for so much expert information. The one thing I didn't really get in BS's explanations is how they push everything forward and create more backhand pressure at the same time.

With more and more contestants arriving and more videos trickling in, I find it in increasingly interesting to look at how people are sailing and making guesses on how they will succeed when the wind picks up.

To me, Gunnar Asmussen, looks very promising: I don't know whether his way of leaning back a lot more than Bj?rn D. is good sped style, but everything looks just completely locked in place. Take into account what times he has achieved in Europe on not many occasions and I would bet he will be up there with the fastest sailors. Plus, his sheer physical strength and apparent fearlessness make me think he won't back down in harsh conditions.

Bj?rn D. appears to be very determined to show them what he's capable of, arriving early and fine-tuning a lot, so he would have to be reckoned with more than ever.

What are your guesses?

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ZeeGerman said..
.......The one thing I didn't really get in BS's explanations is how they push everything forward and create more backhand pressure at the same time.

That seemed like quite a contradiction to me too. But maybe he means more twist in the top half (= draft forward?) and draft back and deep around the boom?

I don't think Ben is really going to give other designers a recipie for a faster speed sail though!

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ZeeGerman said..
Thanks Spotty for so much expert information. The one thing I didn't really get in BS's explanations is how they push everything forward and create more backhand pressure at the same time.

With more and more contestants arriving and more videos trickling in, I find it in increasingly interesting to look at how people are sailing and making guesses on how they will succeed when the wind picks up.

To me, Gunnar Asmussen, looks very promising: I don't know whether his way of leaning back a lot more than Bj?rn D. is good sped style, but everything looks just completely locked in place. Take into account what times he has achieved in Europe on not many occasions and I would bet he will be up there with the fastest sailors. Plus, his sheer physical strength and apparent fearlessness make me think he won't back down in harsh conditions.

Bj?rn D. appears to be very determined to show them what he's capable of, arriving early and fine-tuning a lot, so he would have to be reckoned with more than ever.

What are your guesses?

Sailquiks observation I'd go with, but more so the guys that have been going there repeatedly and refining and tuning what works well. BSv' said he took what his guys had modified on their sails as a starting point. I'd say there may of been already some learning's there passed on /circulated from pioneers of Luderitz and other speedters. Its a speedsters melting pot, watch Proffit improve under the guidance of Faz's dry wit alone.

The basic mods Patrick, Bringdal, Farrell kindly helped advised me on were the lower 3 battens. Stiffer in the tip, softer in the mid and slight softer rear. Backhand pressure increased with draft moving back but also deeper with more off the wind power, and with finer entry for the apparent wind given the high speeds. From the batten above the the boom the leech should open up more, BSv' mentioned re opening up mid to lower leech.

Remember its a set specific course for breaking 500m records, it has a short run up so acceleration is key to attaining high average speed which is what it's about. So quickly accelerating cakes n pies requires lots of force/lift/power, hence the big guys fitness to muscle their gear up ad onto the plane to warp speed can be a bit more challenging. Solid clean start in a mega gust is what one wants in the start area, just hope the tourist bus does not stop upwind to watch when its your turn and the wind is only 30-35.

Yep I got my bets on Gunnar doing well, leaning back on the tail and doing well, somewhat like Hans K' a bit, but he had his boom crazy low. Dunk is slowly adapting getting tuned in I think, but looks much better this year and I reckon he may finally get his 50 500 , some guys adapt quickly or their current style lends itself to minor tweak where as I struggled and was just getting it on the 7th day of sailing out of a month stay. Its a different kind of speed sailing for sure, like being boxed in... unlike Sandy's natural curves that are very accommodating and your bound to hit the sweet spot if you ride her long n hard to the end .

The Kung fu Panda may yet amaze again being No3, but not to be out done with his wet n dry wit Farrel ain't chimping around. Good winds to all and keep it in the blue and not the brown eh. Both the Ben's first impressions are pretty accurate about the nature of the place.

Ben's coverage is the best that's ever been, love watching Windsurfing TV the guys a real character

Here is some more Choco, tuning with the Hoff'

^^^ ... and that is how you have more-forward and more backhand at the same time.... more cam-pressure and no leeward-side boom allowing the sail to be deeper.

Its great to hear how it all comes together with conditions, gear, how the place works and the different riders.
Ben Proffit is great at what he does, informative with lots of light-heartedness!!
Much more info than the "Pit Crew- If we told you we would have to kill you" stealth mission.

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ka43 said..
Much more info than the "Pit Crew- If we told you we would have to kill you" stealth mission.

Maaate... It's just that I had no clue what I was doing at all! Didn't want to mislead anyone!

100kg looks like the right weight to go fast. No svelte looking body types in that line up!

Walk thru' down the course with Faz' O'Shea...very good accurate description of how difficult it can be to tie a really good run together. No secrets or fake news here except Proffitts comment at the endThe lull section into stronger section towards the end, where the wind angle changes strength/direction as it works it way around the hill/range, adjacent to the stopping box, is where many including myself had the worst/scariest O'Sh#T,O'F*# moments. Luckily my forgiving Ka Assy fin saved me and re gripped with inches to spare from hitting the leeward bank.

The slow down area can be a challenge too, I tried a few different techniques. Sheeting out and straight lining it when it's on does not work, you will still hit the far end with speed. Bailing off is not an option as your gear will get launched blown out of the box and end up far away by the time, and if you get to it. Laying it down hard up against the road in the rolling chop is the way, A2 a master of it. Though once you have done that you have to turn back into it and hang on super tight at times. I got lifted at this point and slammed in a heavy gust. No time time to waste reading your gps, get out of there is the sporting thing to do, save it till after getting ashore.

That was the best break down of the course by O'Shea. I didn't realise how shallow & narrow some parts were. It's not for the faint hearted in the higher n winds.l would do it in 30 knots but not 50

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gavnwend said..
That was the best break down of the course by O'Shea. I didn't realise how shallow & narrow some parts were. It's not for the faint hearted in the higher n winds.l would do it in 30 knots but not 50

Yes, unless you have sailed a lot in the most unpleasant conditions and worked your way up into the high 40's, it is a daunting place and can take time to settle/tune into the canal. Still by far not the perfect speed venue but is currently the best given the number of records achieved.
When the sand/stones are blowing it's serious business time for sure.

Give me Lake George with a long gradually curved bank across it and the wind strength and we would be pretty happy.

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Spotty said..
Walk thru' down the course with Faz' O'Shea...very good accurate description of how difficult it can be to tie a really good run together. No secrets or fake news here except Proffitts comment at the endThe lull section into stronger section towards the end, where the wind angle changes strength/direction as it works it way around the hill/range, adjacent to the stopping box, is where many including myself had the worst/scariest O'Sh#T,O'F*# moments. Luckily my forgiving Ka Assy fin saved me and re gripped with inches to spare from hitting the leeward bank.

The slow down area can be a challenge too, I tried a few different techniques. Sheeting out and straight lining it when it's on does not work, you will still hit the far end with speed. Bailing off is not an option as your gear will get launched blown out of the box and end up far away by the time, and if you get to it. Laying it down hard up against the road in the rolling chop is the way, A2 a master of it. Though once you have done that you have to turn back into it and hang on super tight at times. I got lifted at this point and slammed in a heavy gust. No time time to waste reading your gps, get out of there is the sporting thing to do, save it till after getting ashore.

What an excellent and informative commentary.
I don't think I'm up to Luderitz standard yet.

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Windxtasy said..

Spotty said..
Walk thru' down the course with Faz' O'Shea...very good accurate description of how difficult it can be to tie a really good run together. No secrets or fake news here except Proffitts comment at the endThe lull section into stronger section towards the end, where the wind angle changes strength/direction as it works it way around the hill/range, adjacent to the stopping box, is where many including myself had the worst/scariest O'Sh#T,O'F*# moments. Luckily my forgiving Ka Assy fin saved me and re gripped with inches to spare from hitting the leeward bank.

The slow down area can be a challenge too, I tried a few different techniques. Sheeting out and straight lining it when it's on does not work, you will still hit the far end with speed. Bailing off is not an option as your gear will get launched blown out of the box and end up far away by the time, and if you get to it. Laying it down hard up against the road in the rolling chop is the way, A2 a master of it. Though once you have done that you have to turn back into it and hang on super tight at times. I got lifted at this point and slammed in a heavy gust. No time time to waste reading your gps, get out of there is the sporting thing to do, save it till after getting ashore.

What an excellent and informative commentary.
I don't think I'm up to Luderitz standard yet.

I wouldn't even consider trying unless they lined the sides with airbags.. Actually after the in depth coverage video I think I'd give it a miss even then..

Consider flying a 7m2 airbag down a canal, ......well watching Seb' go around that corners apex on edge is incredible to witness, the acceleration he gets is pretty wicked.... for a kite. Throws a mean rooster tail too.

Sailquick may be able to share a old track and to see what his m/s2 is.

This is an Amazing Story!!!!!
The Guy is a NUTTER!!!!
We have a chat with the man behind the original Luderitz Speed Challenge Channel. Sebastien Cattelan
This year is the first time he's not organising the event but the 'Catman' is Back with no pressure and wants his World record back!!
WARNING: This Video includes Kites :) ...but don't worry he also Windsurfs!!