NEW WORLD SPEED RECORDS!

We're waiting for this to be confirmed, but if the latest reports from the south of France are correct, then we have two new world speed records.

Competing in the Port St. Louis ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix, Finian Maynard is said to have recorded an incredible 48.7 knots in the men's competition, and Karin Jaggi 41.2 knots.

Knocking on the holy Grail that is 50knts then...
To make it more spectator freindly they could put a indoor jump ramp at the end of the coarse?

That i would pay to see!!!

LOL...That sounds like a good idea.... Although I think even the likes of Finian Maynard might think twice about hitting a jump ramp at almost 50 knots!!

I can't imagine what it is like to go at that speed... 34 knots felt fast enough and that was a maximum speed not an average speed over 500 metres... To record 48.7 over 500 metres he muct be exceeding 50 knots now and then..... Respect!

Al.

A picture from November's 46.82 knots record.
Makes you wonder when he'll get the 50 knots
I can't imagine what 50 kts must feel like. Scary.

It's not exactly a 'widestyle' board is it.

[Edited on 11-4-2005 by Dave]

Nope, but he has a wide-style belly!!!

I'm working on that bit of the speed equation at the moment as well!.

Al.

well full respect for karin jaggi for her world record, she's only a tiny lass so didn't have finian's advantage with leverage

This just in from http://www.mastersofspeed.com/: />
The storm has subsided and the dust is settling but what will be remembered as time moves on are the two fast times set by Karin Jaggi (F2/Arrows) at 41.25 and Finian Maynard (F2/Naish) at 48.70.

Off the charts can be the only way to describe these blistering times!!

What a weekend with multiple competitions running at the same time in Les Saintes and Port St. Louis and a Mistral wind that peaked at 70-knots on Saturday evening with the records being set on the Sunday.

The wind for Karin’s record was a constant 35-knots down the entire run and Finian’s time was set in 40-knots with the occasional 45-knot push but nothing as violent as the records set in November 2004.

This proves that windsurfing equipment is the king of speed for the moment with more efficient rigs, faster boards and extremely fast fins that cut the water like a razor.

The power surges over the record runs were less than the past Mistral winds and it has been documented by Christophe Simian (Canal manager) that this particular cycle had more humidity and ‘push’ to it than past northerly record winds. Somehow there was an uncanny resemblance to the SE wind and this could have been the key to the new best times.

The angle on the Canal was exactly 126 degrees for both records and the wind was uncharacteristically even down the entire run. The recent hard work put into the ‘trench’ has paid off with unprecedented high water levels yielding the surface capable of handling speeds that surely must have been over 50-knots.

Unfortunately, unlike Novemeber, no GPS units were on either rider so we will just have to wonder as to what the max speeds were but surely the magical barrier has been breached, even if it is for only a 2 second period.

Not to forget anyone Francesco D’Urso has set a new Italian record with a time of 39.56 knots.

More to come as this developing story unfolds!!!!!!

just how pleased must Naish be with this ?

Mini-interview with Finian

Q:What sails were you using?
A: I was using a 5.0m Production Naish Stealth sail new out of the bag!

Q:Why so much faster than last time?
A: I was more focused on the task in hand and the run was good. The wind was more consistent than the last record breaking Mistral day.

Q:What size was your board?
A: I was on a 35cm wide board by 214 cm long.

Q:How windy was it?
A: For Karen, 35-40knots. For me, 40-45knots.

Q: Were Bjorn Dunkerbeck & Antoine Albeau watching?
A:No. They were in Port St.Louis finishing up the contest there. I was performing the magical trick of being in two places at once!

not bad on a production sail !

35cm board !!Is that wide enough to get your feet on and a 5.0m sail in a 40 knot wind - wow

I just measured my feet 28cm I would like to see where the straps are on that board! cos I think my heels will be dragging in the water.

It's all one sided isn't it? Single boom bar to the clamp, only one front strap. 48.7 knot = 56.0429591 miles per hour.


Or taking the piss a bit 7.472 furlongs per minute, even more impressive.


Wow!