Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2014 - Day 2
by Sophie Routaboul 10 Oct 2014 15:39 BST
6 October - 2 November 2014
The Chris Benz Lüderitz World Record Chase has seen to another page of the adventure being written. The hard work, dedication and training have paid dividends! The level of riders participating in the 2014 event is very high and the new records prove it.
The wind increased throughout the day reaching 35 knots with stronger gusts exceeding 40knots+.
A passionate battle was fought between Anders Bringdal the Swedish legend and 2013 event winner, Patrick Diethelm the Italian Record Holder and Hans Kreisel the young talented Dutch rider.
Hans Kreisel who has lead most of the day has reached 49.66 knots followed by Anders Bringdal with 49.61 kts and then, Patrik Diethelm killed it, exceeding 50 knots 4 times, achieving a new Italian Record with 51.09 kts (previously 50.49 kts).
Martin Toth from Czech Republik has improved his Record from yesterday on his first run today with 41.42 kts (was 39.96) and increased it with44.63 knots.
Franz Grabner, Austria, who was close to his country's national Record yesterday with 42.09 kts, pushed hard, very hard and achieved an excellent 47.88 knots!
Remo Diethelm the Swiss Record Holder with 47 knots went close to his record today with 46.87 knots.
Andrea Baldini, Italian Windsurfer beat his best speed today with 42.79 knots (was 41.94 knots) as did the South African, Hennie Bredenkamp, with 45.3 knots (was 42.99 knots).
Jacques van der Hout from Netherlands who also competed with the best and achieved the 4th time in the ranking day: 48.28 knots!
Erik Beale, the famous British windsurfer, is launching his comeback at Lüderitz! He was the first person to go to 40 knots in the 80's and is a legend of the speed sailing world. He arrived only late today but had set up his equipment and got the feeling of the channel to be ready to tackle the windy days ahead.
On Friday the conditions are not good enough to race, so let's see on Saturday how it goes...